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Britney Spears wins 3 at MTV VMAs

BY GLENN GAMBOA | glenn.gamboa@newsday.com

11:27 PM EDT, September 7, 2008

For those waiting for a repeat of last year's MTV Video Music Awards debacle, Britney Spears offered a different kind of letdown. Her much-hyped opening of the show last night involved no singing, was limited and straightforward. Then, she won her first VMA after 16 previous nominations, taking home best female video and, later on, best pop video and video of the year for "Piece of Me."

"I'm speechless," said Spears after her first win, wearing a far more flattering dress than last year's. "This is an honor. I just want to thank God first and foremost for blessing me like this, my beautiful family, my two beautiful boys ... and my fans."

Her noncontroversial appearance -- following a tumultuous year of odd behavior, hospitalization and custody battles, as well as previous VMA furors that included her kiss with Madonna and her performance with a live snake -- left it to host Russell Brand to try to stir things up for the show's 25th anniversary.

The British comedian tried endorsing Barack Obama, highlighting vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's family issues and commenting that "in England, George Bush wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors."

The real opening duties fell to Rihanna, who arrived with a troupe of dancers dressed as mutants for "Disturbia." Lil' Wayne, after being introduced by Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, performed with Leona Lewis and T-Pain, while Jonas Brothers delivered "Love bug."

The VMAs also handed out awards, including two to Gnarls Barkley, for best art direction and best choreography for "Run." The Pussycat Dolls, who came in with a night-leading six nominations, converted one into a win, landing best dancing in a video for "When I Grow Up." Chris Brown, who had five nominations, won best male video for "With You."