As regular Gold Derby readers know, I own what's believed to be the world's largest private collection of historic showbiz awards outside of Jack Nicholson's house. (More details about all that here, here and here.) So I'm not one of those snobs who goes into fits of outrage at the thought that the sanctity of these statuettes somehow gets violated whenever they're bought and sold. If the practice is OK for art treasures, why not showbiz ones as well? And, quite frankly, the latter variety are often just gold-plated, so harrumph, harrumph.
However, I don't own a MTV Video Music Award or American Music Award as yet. Do you? Maybe we can bid against each other next month when Julien's Auctions puts up for sale five of Michael Jackson's MTV Video Music Awards, eight American Music Awards, two Billboard Awards, seven NAACP Image Awards plus lots of other kudos, including gold and platinum record awards.
The auction will be held from April 22 to 25 adjacent to the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Meantime, the items are on public view at the Hard Rock Café in New York's Time Square from March 25 to 28.
Michael Jackson's lawyers recently filed papers to shut down this auction, but that may just be one of those "Wacko Jacko" things that will mysteriously vanish soon. I recently talked about that with auctioneer Darren Julien, one of the most respected dealers in Hollywood memorabilia. He's handled auctions in the past for Cher, Barbra Streisand and U2. I've purchased many of the items in my personal collection from him. Darren assures Gold Derby that the auction will proceed as planned and will be completely legit. Jackson entered into a formal contract with Julien's Auctions to do this sale. Jackson and his manager chose the items to be sold and delivered them to the auction house as follow up. Part of the proceeds will go to the Grammys' MusicCares charity. See more details about the auction here.
The new U2 album "No Line on the Horizon" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts by selling 484,000 copies. The band's last album -- "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" -- moved 840,000 units in its first week of release back in November 2004. However, as the always insightful Todd Martens of the Pop & Hiss blog points out in this must-read story, "a closer look at U2's sales stats suggests that 'Atomic Bomb' was an aberration in the career of the Irish superstars." Turns out that U2 usually sells its albums over the long run rather than in a short burst in the first few weeks of release. All of its first 11 albums eventually went at least platinum. Interestingly, "Atomic Bomb" moved almost 30% of its 3 million copies in that first week.
Reviews for this new album were always respectful if not raves. Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Ann Power gave the disc three out of four stars. She thought, "U2's celebration of life has always also been a celebration of itself, and Bono still has a gift for radiating joy in a way that feels inclusive, not egotistical. At the same time, 'No Line on the Horizon' is most interesting when the band and its producers let their well-deserved wallowing become a drift down the river toward something different."
While part of the promotional effort had U2 appearing all last week on "The Late Show With David Letterman," the band premiered the first single -- "Get on Your Boots" --- on the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards telecast. Though that track has been only a modest success with 188,000 downloads, there are many more to come in the months ahead. And taken individually and as a whole, how many of these will figure in the Grammy nominations when they are announced at the end of the year?
Over the years, U2 has won 22 Grammys spread out over 11 categories. That haul ties the group with Stevie Wonder. However, Wonder has won three album of the year Grammys, as did Paul Simon and the late Frank Sinatra. U2 has taken this top honor twice -- for "The Joshua Tree" and "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb."
While the band's first five albums failed to break through with Grammy voters, all that changed with disc No. 6 — "The Joshua Tree." U2 won album of the year in 1987 and the first of seven rock duo or group awards (the other wins in that category came in 1988, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2005).
U2's next studio album, "Achtung Baby," lost album of the year to Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" in 1992. While "Zooropa" won the alternative album award in 1993, U2's follow-up "Pop" went flat with Grammy nominators. "All That You Can't Leave Behind" contended for the top prize in 2001 but lost to the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack. But "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" won album of the year in 2005.
Besides their two album of the year Grammys, U2 has won record of the year twice -- "Beautiful Day" (2000) and "Walk On" (2001) -- and song of the year twice as well: "Beautiful Day" (2000) and "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" (2005). And in addition to those seven Grammys for rock group, U2 has won rock album twice -- "All That You Can't Leave Behind" (2001) and "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (2005) -- and rock song twice: "Vertigo" (2004) and "City of Blinding Light" (2005). And they have three video wins -- performance ("Where the Streets Have No Name," 1988)' long-form ("Zoo TV," 1994), and short-form ("Vertigo," 2004) -- as well as single wins for alternative album ("Zooropa," 1993) and pop group ("Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," 2001).
With eight time zones between the Jonas Brothers and the Hollywood home of last Sunday's VMAs, they finally weighed in on host Russell Brand's skewering of their purity rings at the event to the BBC in his native Britain. Per the BBC report:
Nick Jonas told Newsbeat: "For us it's cool to see that he recognizes we are gentlemen." Brand later apologized to the boys for the jibe during Sunday's ceremony, which was held in Los Angeles.
The question is, did Brand misjudge the audience? Kevin Jonas replied: "I think he focused on certain things and didn't move off of them. People's attention spans in America need more than that. ... [Nick Jonas] said: "I think he did a good job. We saw him on 'Conan O'Brien' and thought he was hilarious."
With endorsements like that and such stellar ratings for the awardsfest, will Russell Brand become the first back-to-back host for the festivities since Arsenio Hall had a four-year run as emcee beginning back in 1988?
Combining the unknown British comedian Russell Brand with the seemingly never overexposed Britney Spears paid off for MTV as Sunday's airing of the VMAs pulled in record numbers for the network.
As per this report in Broadcasting & Cable, "When the simulcast on MTV2 is taken into account, the VMAs delivered an 8.1 grossed rating in the demo across the two networks. All told and across the two networks during its time period, the 2008 VMAs reached more than 23 million viewers two-plus, with more than 12 million 12-34. The show was the highest-rated telecast on all of cable in the 12-34 demo this year."
These numbers represent a 15% boost from last year's hostless edition of the VMAs (best remembered for Britney's bad lip syncing) and a 41% jump from the 2006 awardscast headlined by Jack Black from Gotham.
"After winning three Moonmen, including video of the year, Britney Spears got cold feet before she met the press," Reuters reported on what took place backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards. "She peeked into the media room with personal assistants and camera crew in tow, then promptly turned around and left."
However, then Britney was "whisked into a photo-only area where no pesky questions could be asked," adds Marc Malkin of E! Online. "Who could blame her for that?"
Have you seen all of the L.A. Times' extensive coverage?
Denise Martin reported on "bubbly flowing for audience members . . . Michael Phelps upstaging the Jonas Brothers and Chris Brown busting a move in the aisle for Lil Wayne." READ MORE
Ann Powers ruminates on MTV's use on various venues at Paramount studios where "the gimmick at this most unrepentantly contrived of awards shows was to play up the artifice of the screen image, whether of the blockbuster film variety." That included using sets and crowds for "live music videos (that) did make for better musical highlights than the show had in the past few years. The night's producers chose well in tapping talents who could handle the distractions of quick-changing sets. Nobody fell down, and the music wasn't completely swallowed by the special effects . . . . What viewers witnessed every time Britney took the stage (or appeared in an MTV promotional skit, like the dull one that preceded her opening the program) was not only an expensively refurbished body in a laudably tasteful silver dress, but the relaunching of a brand." READ MORE
In one of our photo galleries, we score the night's high and low points while inviting our readers to pipe in with their letter grades too. Todd Martens gives Britney's appearance a F, which differs from the view of our readers. About 65% give Britney an A. READ MORE AND CAST YOUR VOTE!
In another photo gallery, the Dish Rag blogger Elizabeth Snead says, "Zac Efron looks just as hot without those trendy boy bangs. With his hair swept back into a proper Hollywood hunk 'do, we get to see more of his eyes and his eerily well-shaped brows. You don't think? Nah." SEE AND READ MORE
Oh, yeah, and for a complete list of nominees and winners, CLICK HERE.
When the nominations were first unveiled for the MTV Video Music Awards this year and Britney Spears made the lineup for "Piece of Me," my first impulse as an awards guru was to think: She'll win, natch. Britney Spears was the biggest star of 2008, after all, albeit in that train wreck kinda way. But then, after further reflection and a look back at past winners in this category, I flip-flopped and thought: no, no, no.
The reason: Who picks the MTV VMA winners. If this year's VMAs were decided like they were in 2006, yes, Britney might be considered the front-runner. That was the one year champs were decided by online voters. But Panic at the Disco prevailed then for "I Write Sins, Not Tragedies," which was widely ridiculed by serious music gurus. Gritty journalists — the type who write for Rolling Stone and Billboard — were particularly irked that Panic beat the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California," and they gave MTV so much hell over it that the VMAs switched the decision-making process back to folks who picked winners in the past: a random assortment of showbiz industry hipsters they considered to be cool. Some past voters who I knew personally were journalists and producers at E! Entertainment Network and VH1, for example.
In the past, these hipsters chose mostly respectable champs for video of the year: Green Day ("Boulevard of Broken Dreams"), Outkast ("Hey Ya") and Eminem ("Without Me"). Not the trashy, trailer-park, bubble-gum stars like Britney, who hasn't, let's face it, been taken too seriously as an artist and has never won a Moonman. She lost all 16 past nominations, including her only previous bid for best video of the year: "Toxic" (2004).
This year it seemed possible that voters might give Britney the pop-video award as a sympathy prize after all she's been through. After all, that award has "pop" in the title. But best video of the year?
The fact that Britney won that lofty trophy is a triumph of the Olympian kind and proof of what host Russell Brand asserted at show's end: that she has finally "conquered" musicdom.
Here is a compilation of more MTV VMA reax from Gold Derby forum posters:
Professor Chaos: It wasn't the worst, but nowhere near the glory years. Paris Hilton & Britney Spears together. Somewhere John McCain is smirking.
KellyClarksonFan: Britney the Queen of the VMAs. She is unstoppable!
Hollywood Star: I knew Britney would win. Good for her. Too bad it was for the lackluster "Piece of Me," but, oh, well. A win is a win.
Guru: I thought this show was awful!
Flavorflav: Christina was the worst tonight. She lip-synced to some dated, second rate Goldfrapp bull she calls her new single while looking like Linda Hogan.
LKMOSCAR: The Jonas Brothers actually did very well. At least I could hear them.
Try Again: They really need to stop letting the fans vote for Best New Artist. The refer this award for predicting future superstars but in the past few years the winners have fallen off the face of the earth.
Bildo 10: How on God's Green Earth is Kid Rock still relevant? This song makes me want to shove a pencil in my ear. It's terrible.
"Well, now it's official!" roars MTV.com, announcing that Britney Spears will appear on Sunday night's telecast of the MTV Video Music Awards, suggesting that it was always part of the plan.
Although Spears "will not be performing, she will open the show," reports the site.
"MTV has long played an important role in my career," Spears said in a statement. "How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say 'hi' to my fans and to be nominated."
How can she ask "how can I not be there" as an official part of the telecast? Just a week or so ago a spokesman for her manager, Larry Rudolph, firmly denied rumors that she'd be part of the awards show — as a performer or in any other capacity.
The spokesman told the New York Daily News, while referring to the early PR spot she did with host Russell Brand and an elephant, "She did the promo for them, but there never were any plans for her to appear on the show."
"It's unclear exactly what Britney has up her sleeve," teases MTV.com, adding this quote from network president Van Toffler about her past appearances: "Britney has done everything from perform with a snake, lock lips with Madonna and prove that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas. I can't wait to see what she does to kick off this year's show."
Hmmmm, to me that suggests that Britney's going to perform, not musically, but in some other capacity. Oh, please let it not be with that poor elephant!
Hmmmm again. Didn't her dad and lawyers recently assert that Britney wasn't crazy anymore?
Or does Britney see nothing wrong with her spokesman fibbing? If her rep just misspoke, why didn't Britney issue a clarification after the Daily News article hit print?
Wow. Not only do our two experts agree on who'll win the prize for best male video at the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday, but David "Guru" Schnelwar and Darrin "DoubleD" Dortch actually rank all five contenders the same order!
BEST MALE VIDEO: DOUBLED'S RANKING 1. Chris Brown, "With You" 2. Lil Wayne, "Lollipop" 3. Usher, "Love in This Club" 4. Flo Rida, "Low" 5. T.I., "No Matter What"
This is going to Chris Brown as a consolation for losing the big prize. He's had such a commercially successful year, much like past winners Justin Timberlake and Usher, and he won't be denied. Lil Wayne has also had a big year, but Brown is more MTV friendly and Wayne will be rewarded elsewhere. One-hit wonder Flo Rida has no chance; Usher has zero buzz for his album and T.I. won't win this category for a video that's barely getting play on MTV.
BEST MALE VIDEO: GURU'S RANKING 1. Chris Brown, "With You" 2. Lil Wayne, "Lollipop" 3. Usher, "Love in this Club" 4. Flo Rida, "Low" 5. T.I., "No Matter What"
I think Chris Brown is the front-runner. He had the most music videos released this year of the five nominees. He also gave the best performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards and had a dance-off with Mike Myers at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.
Lil Wayne is the biggest seller and the Itquot rapper of 2008. He may upset.
Usher won in this category in 2004 and repeat winners do occur in this category.
Our two music kudos gurus are split over who'll win best female video at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night. David "Guru" Schnelwar ranks Mariah Carey in top place. Darrin "DoubleD" Dortch ranks Mariah Carey last, opting instead of Rihanna as likely champ. David has Rihanna in second place.
BEST FEMALE VIDEO: DOUBLED'S RANKING 1) Rihanna, "Take a Bow" 2) Britney Spears, "Piece of Me" 3) Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl" 4) Jordin Sparks, "No Air" 5) Mariah Carey, "Touch My Body"
You can immediately eliminate Mariah. Her buzz has faded and her follow-up singles have underperformed on the charts; she won't win. "American Idol" alums don't have a great track record at the VMAs, and Jordin Sparks' momentum didn't continue after the massive success of "No Air," so I think she's out, too.
Katy Perry is a dark horse. "I Kissed a Girl" is the No. 1 song of the summer; it spent seven consecutive weeks on top of the Hot 100 chart and is still in the Top 5. If Perry's follow-up single catches heat during voting, then I think she will win. If not, voters will reward Rihanna for her massive year. She's on her third No. 1 single from her album.
Britney could get this for sentimental value, but VMA voters have no problem splitting up their top prizes. Last year Rihanna won video of the year while Fergie nabbed this category.
BEST FEMALE VIDEO: GURU'S RANKING 1) Mariah Carey, "Touch My Body" 2) Rihanna, "Take a Bow" 3) Britney Spears, "Piece of Me" 4) Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl" 5) Jordin Sparks, "No Air"
This is a tight race. Mariah Carey and Britney Spears have never won a VMA. Both artists are overdue. I think Mariah Carey is the front-runner. Comical music videos usually win. Unless MTV decides to award Britney to make up for her career-suicide performance last year just for the headlines.
Rihanna had the most music videos released this year. She may upset. Fergie had the most music videos released last year and won this category last year.
I think Katy Perry is more likely to win best new artist in a video instead of this. I don't see Jordin Sparks winning.
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