It was very evident that MTV focused more on the performances than the awards themselves at this years VMAS.

Viva Las Vegas!

That’s right; the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards aired live from the Palms Casino and Hotel on the Las Vegas strip Sunday, Sept. 9. It was clear that MTV had many different ideas for this years award show.

This included not only using the Palms Theatre for performances during the award show, but spreading them out to different hotel suites throughout the hotel and casino. Segments of these performances and parties aired throughout the award show in between the excitement on the main stage in the Palms Theatre.

All eyes were on pop superstar Britney Spears who opened the award show with a much anticipated performance of her new single, “Gimme More.” Mixed reviews about Spears’ performance abounded from critics and those in attendance, yet her raunchy, gyrating futuristic set seemed to be a perfect backdrop for the Vegas event. Her backup dancers worked strip poles and some male dancers even worked Britney herself during the opening performance.

After Britney left the stage, the award show kicked off with comedian Sarah Silverman cracking jokes at celebrities. Silverman said that Britney’s babies looked like the “hairless vagina they came out of” and she accused rocker Amy Winehouse of being a closeted Jew.

It was very evident that MTV focused more on the performances than the awards themselves at this years VMAS. Dueling rappers Kanye West and 50 Cent marketed their release of their new albums (which happen to be on the same day in competition, Sep 11) by performing in different hotel suites.

50 Cent took part in the ‘Southern Hospitality Suite’ and plowed through his new hit, “Ayo Technology,” with Justin Timberlake, who is featured on the hit. An impromptu performance of “In Da Club” also came about later in the show.

Kanye West rocked "Stronger" amid a gang of fans wearing his now-signature Venetian-blind shades in the customized ‘Sky Villa Suite’ that included breathtaking views of the Vegas strip. During his later performance of the “Good Life” the rapper strolled throughout his suite, stopping to acknowledge guests and party with the ladies out on the balcony.

From the balcony to the dance floor, party seemed to be the theme of the night of this years VMAS. The ‘Foo Fighters Luxury Suite’ included a non-stop rock-out concert of the band.

A performance by Dave Grohl's one-time Foo Fighter (and Nirvana) band mate, Pat Smear, featured their new single, “The Pretender.” An MTV after-party host joked that it may take the next few months for the Palms Hotel staff to clean up the suite, saying that it was trashed beyond belief by the band and crowd.

As for the usual celebrity antics that take place at the MTV award show, the night was relatively quiet, besides a scuffle that ensued between Tommy Lee and Kid Rock. The issue: Pamela Anderson, who was host for an award at the event.

During Alicia Keys performance, Kid Rock made his way over to Tommy Lee and punched Lee in the face. Security quickly grabbed hold of both men and escorted them both outside of the theatre. Las Vegas Police cited Rock on misdemeanor battery for his assault on Lee.

Rock is to appear back in Las Vegas court in a few months, where if convicted, he faces a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. This goes to show that not everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Big award winners of the night included Rihanna, who took home Monster Single of the Year and Video of the Year for her smash hit single “Umbrella,” which features rapper Jay-Z.

Rihanna even surprised the VMA audience during Chris Brown’s performance with a short rendition of “Umbrella.” Chris Brown knocked the audience off their feet with his performance that featured Charlie Chaplin-silent film style antics and “Billie Jean” dance moves.

Justin Timberlake was also a big award winner for the night. He took home awards for Quadruple Threat of the Year and Male Artist of the Year.

Timberlake collaborated with Nelly Furtado and Timbaland during his ‘LoveStoned’ performance that ended the awards show. Furtado performed a Madonna-esque set of the song “Do It,” Timbaland mixed his own beats to the club-throbbing “The Way I Are” and all three artists came together at the end to perform their trio R&B hit, “Give It To Me.”

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