MTV's 2015 Video Music Circus

Watching the 2015 VMA's was a challenge. Our apartment does not have a cable subscription and I was not home from work until (I assume) Miley had already made her fourth costume change and third marijuana reference - making my live viewing impossible. MTV.com was replaying the entire event the next day, but not in one continuous stream. Each segment was broken down into a video clip, which proved tedious to watch sequentially seeing that the same three advertisements were placed in between every other clip (and out of 40 clips, I grew a bit tired of Katy Perry and Chrissy Teigan). Not only was figuring out a way to watch it difficult, but the program itself was a bumpy ride.

Featuring its first solo-host in two years, the 2015 VMA's could have chosen wiser. Maybe one who didn't focus so much on herself? Did Miley win some sort of raffle for this gig? I shouldn't be surprised though, it's the entertainment industry and everyone is out to keep his or her name relevant (that being said, I'm surprised Madonna didn't show - the most decorated and consistent show stealing artist in the history of the Awards).

 
For Miley, she accomplished what she came there to do - promote herself. Aside from two standout performances by burgeoning artists the Weeknd and Tori Kelly, the awards quickly became Miley's one woman circus. From the costumes to the all-to-common weed references to the drag queen back up dancers and ultimate free album reveal at the end, I felt like I was watching Miley's Circus and everyone else (presenters, audience members, nominees, winners, etc.) was just an attendee.

 
So much happened that night, but nothing of significance. Social news feeds were littered with comments and features of the night, but just transient sentiments. If one thing from the 2015 VMA's will be remembered, it will be Kanye's rant of an acceptance speech (not really the content, nor that his and Taylor's PR teams wanted to make as public of an announcement as they could that "we're all friends here!"). That was six years ago... do we need to keep digging up the past? Is your reputation that important to you? Wait, of course it is!

Oh yea, and he's going to run for President in 2020?     

Aside from all the distracting antics of the night (e.g. Nicki calling out Miley on stage after what seemed to be a sarcastic acceptance speech), the Weeknd with his "I Can't Feel My Face" and Tori Kelly with her "Should've Been Us"  were the only two that really nailed their performances vocally. They didn't need a slew of back-up dancers and special affects (sans the Weeknd's sick ring of fire!) to distract from their talent. Outside Mackelmore & co. as well as Demi with Iggy gave fun, but ultimately unmemorable performances of their newest singles.

The 2015 VMA's - a two hour commercial for Miley's new album (to which I have fallen prey) and a reminder of how jaded the music industry can be. B-