Katie's Pop Culture: The VMAs - the Good, the Bad, and the WTF

Last Sunday night the Video Music Awards were on MTV. While this used to be a staple of my youth, I have since moved onto more age appropriate shows like “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and “Fashion Police”. You know shows that really reflect quality television. Honestly, I can’t tell you the last time I watched MTV for a prolonged period of time. However, that all went out the window very quickly when I heard about this year’s VMA show. The show was all that I ever dreamed it would be. It had a great performance, annoying celebrities, and it left me with the lingering sting of realizing that I will have to live out the rest of my life as a normal, non-famous person.

Afterwards, I took the time to sit down and reflect on all that was pop music for today’s generation. When I was done, I was able to break the show down into three categories – the Good, the Bad, and the WTF.

The Good

Not that I even need to explain “the Good” section, but in case you missed it I can say it all in just two letters - JT. Justin Timberlake received the something or other award. Blah, blah, blah. Who cares about that?! What was really important was his live performance in which he sang snip bits of his most popular songs. It really didn’t matter to me what he sang or that the volume to the television was even on. As long as he is on screen, I’m good. However, his performance was nothing short of A-MAZ-ING.

I couldn’t share my enthusiasm with anyone since my husband was smart enough to watch tv downstairs, so I was left with texting my all of my excitement and awe to my sister. Throughout his 15 minute performance, my sister and I sent 25 text messages to each other. Our texts to each other read like a face to face conversation.

My sister: “I wonder if it’s just going to be him for a while and NSYNC later in the show?”

Me: “Good point. Not liking the outfit, though he does make the wedding ring look hot.”

My sister: “OMG I just said the exact same thing!”

Me: “Oh I love this song!”

My sister: “He’s like ‘Don’t touch me’ (to those girls).”

Me: “If I touched him I wouldn’t let go.”

My sister: “Yeah I just said I’d probably lick his hand or something.”

Me: “Totally.”

My sister: “NSYNC baby!”

Me: “#%$*@!” (I am sure you can guess what I said.)

Me: “That was not enough NSYNC.”

My sister: “But it was good and action packed. This is about JT, not those clowns.”

Me: “True. Enough Taylor Swift already. So sad it’s over. Definitely not worth watching now.”

My sister: “For real.”

To put the title “the Good” with Justin Timberlake is really an insult to him. It obviously doesn’t describe the true awesomeness that is Justin Timberlake. To be honest, there probably aren’t enough words to accurately articulate his brilliance and overall fabulousness. So for now, we will just leave it as the good - the very, very good.

The Bad

MTV does a lot of great things. It showcases the latest of today’s hit music. It produces ridiculous reality shows that are nothing short of brain damage. It keeps the youth of America informed on the not so important issues of today. It also makes you feel really, REALLY old. I mean old people. While I was watching the show I realized that I didn’t know most of the presenters and performers. How is that possible? I know I’m 32 years old, but I pride myself on maintaining the mindset of my youth. I had all these “old people” thoughts running through my mind like, “What song is this?”, “Her dress is way too tight.”, and “Could that kid from One Direction get a haircut?” To put it mildly, it was disturbing. I know that I’m no spring chicken, but come on. I was 32 when I began watching Sunday’s show and 72 when I finished watching the show. Needless to say, Grandma aka me was none too pleased about that.

The WTFs

Obviously there were many bad moments at the VMAs like Rhianna’s mullet and the overdone screen time of Taylor Swift. Did anyone else notice that Taylor Swift didn’t know the words to the Justin Timberlake songs? She’s a pop music star. How in the world can she not know the words to his songs? I’ll just file it as another reason why Taylor Swift grates on my nerves.

Obviously the one of the biggest WTFs of the night was Miley Cyrus. Her performance was disgusting and made her look like trailer trash, but the real crime was that outfit. For crying out loud she was wearing a onesie with a giant teddy bear face. WTF Miley! WTF! Please for the love of God, do everyone a favor and stop sticking your tongue out, put on some clothes, and at the very least grow your hair back out.

And Robin Thicke. Robin, Robin, Robin. W. T. F. Not only was your performance gross, but you looked like (in the words of my friend) Beetlejuice. What a terrible outfit.

Regardless of each and every WTF of the night, the crowning WTF moment has to go to Lady Gaga. It’s not just because of the weird nun portrayal at the beginning of her performance or even that she finished the performance in a G-string and shell outfit. Oh no. She really out WTF-ed herself this time. The best moment of the night was watching Will Smith and his kids watch Justin Timberlake perform with Lady Gaga sitting in front of them – in her thong. She was dancing and grooving to the music in her thong while Will Smith’s children were sitting behind her. Did she not ever think, “WTF, maybe I should put some pants on so I don’t have to expose my jiggly butt to children.”? WTF Lady Gaga, even for you.

There you have it everyone. The VMAs have taken apart and dissected into what it was – the good, the bad, and the WTF. I guess what we really need to ask ourselves is this - Is the show really full of the biggest and brightest music stars or is it just a bunch of ridiculousness? Is it all wrong or is it just what it should be. Maybe it’s supposed to be a ridiculous show that pushes the envelope. Maybe I just don’t get it because I have out grown the VMAs. Maybe I have officially become old. WTF my friends, WTF.