Video Music Awards' highs and lows
No one knew what to expect when MTV presented the first Video Music Awards in 1984. Over the years, that out-of-left-field wackiness is likely the reason a channel that rarely shows music videos anymore keeps giving awards for them. Handing out Moonmen is just a pretext for getting unpredictable stars in a room together to see what jumps off. Kanye West-like ego eruptions are still the best part of the show, even as producers attempt to manufacture Twitter-worthy moments.
So, here are a few things we know about this year's VMAs:
At press time, there was no host. The last time that happened was 2007.
Lady Gaga will open the show. This might crash the Internet.
There will be a Britney Spears tribute. What the tribute entails remains a mystery. VMA executive producer Amy Doyle told Billboard.com, "Obviously, everything from her choreography to her fashion to her videos will be covered]. We said, 'Let's challenge ourselves to do something unique.' "
Amy Winehouse is expected to be honored. Doyle said the VMA producers are "talking about acknowledging" Winehouse, who died July 23. "She was very near and dear to us."
No matter what happens, this year's edition of the Video Music Awards has a lot to live up to. Here's a look back at some of the highs (and lows) of VMAs past:
1984
FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME Madonna, dressed in lace and garters, does her racy, iconic performance of "Like a Virgin."
1985
BAD BOY Host Eddie Murphy, whose salty language kept censors busy, takes Glenn Frey and Morris Day on a behind-the-scenes tour and winds up picking up a date in the women's restroom.
1986
BUT WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Swedish synth-pop band a-ha rules the night, taking home eight awards for the groundbreaking video for "Take on Me." To put that in perspective, Jay-Z has only six Moonmen over a 15-year career.
1987
ROCK AND RHYMES Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith perform their classic rock-rap remake of "Walk This Way," which would later lead to unintended consequences -- Limp Bizkit.
1988
BREAKING BAD Michael Jackson sings "Bad," his first-ever performance on the show.
1989
TEARS OF A CLOWN Comedian Andrew Dice Clay supposedly earns a lifetime ban for performing his raunchy, profanity-filled nursery rhymes.
1990
SHE TAKES THE CAKE Madonna's Marie Antoinette-inspired performance of "Vogue" remains an all-time top VMA moment.
1991
GETTING CHEEKY Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens makes his first appearance after his arrest for indecent exposure. Speaking of exposure, Prince shows off his yellow, buttless pants.
1992
HEADBANGER'S BALL Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic nearly knocks himself unconscious when he fails to catch his guitar in midair. Howard Stern presents an award as Fartman.
1993
DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY RuPaul and comedian Milton Berle, who kept touching Ru's "lady bits," share an uncomfortable moment while presenting.
1994
THE KISS, V1.0 Newlyweds Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley perform one of the most awkward lip-locks in history.
1995
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID The most interesting moment happens after the show, when Courtney Love interrupts Kurt Loder's interview with Madonna. At one point the Material Girl snaps, "Courtney Love is in dire need of attention right now."
1996
WHY CAN'T THIS BE LOVE? The original members of Van Halen appear together for the first time since 1985, stirring up hopes of a reunion tour. But Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth still can't stand to be in a room together, so no tour.
1997
REALLY BIG SHOW Puff Daddy (the future P. Diddy), Faith Evans and Sting pay tribute to slain rapper The Notorious B.I.G. with the hit song "I'll Be Missing You," which samples The Police's hit, "Every Breath You Take."
1998
SHOW-OFF Actress Rose McGowan walks the red carpet in a see-through, chainmail-like dress with a thong, no bra and apparently no shame.
1999
REACH OUT AND TOUCH Diana Ross gropes Lil Kim's pasty-covered breast.
2000
NAKED AMBITION, V1.0 While performing, Spears rips off her pantsuit to reveal a flesh-colored bodysuit and sequined underwear.
2001
NAKED AMBITION, V2.0 Brit strikes again, this time performing while wearing a python, earning PETA's ire.
2002
MASTER OF PUPPETS Triumph, the Insult Dog Comic stirs up an ongoing beef between Moby and Eminem.
2003
THE KISS, V2.0 Iconic smooch between Madonna and Spears. Most folks forget that Christina Aguilera also got a kiss from Madge, but a camera cutaway mostly misses the moment.
2004
MIAMI VICE The show is held in Miami for the first time. Instead of rolling up to the red carpet by limo, artists cruise up by boat (or, in P. Diddy's case, a super-sized yacht).
2005
HIDE YOUR KIDS R. Kelly does an over-the-top performance of his hip-hop soap opera, "Trapped in the Closet," in which he assumes all the roles.
2006
RUNNING MEN OK Go re-creates the synchronized treadmill dance from their video for the song "Here It Goes Again."
2007
NO MAS Spears' disastrous performance of "Gimme More" almost derails a comeback.
2008
LORD OF THE RINGS Russell Brand mocks the Jonas Brothers for wearing purity rings, declaring the trio's decision not to sleep with fans is "like Superman deciding not to fly and instead just getting a bus everywhere."
2009
IMMA LET YOU FINISH Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift. We all remember how this ends. Also, Janet Jackson appears in a moving tribute to her brother Michael.
2010
'STEAKING' HER CLAIM Not only did Lady Gaga break a record for nominations (13; she won eight), but she accepted the award for Video of the Year wearing a dress made of meat.
This year's show
WHEN 9 p.m. Sunday, live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Preshow, co-hosted by Selena Gomez, is at 8 p.m.
PERFORMERS Lady Gaga, Adele, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Young the Giant
TOP NOMINEES Katy Perry -- Nine, including video of the year for "Firework"
Adele -- Seven, including video of the year for "Rolling in the Deep"
Kanye West -- Seven, including best male video
