Most Memorable VMA Moments
Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley
MTV often goes out of its way to have at least one wow-factor moment during the Video Music Award shows, and this year's VMAs (Sunday at 9/8c) will likely be one for the books as the King of Pop will be front and center, according to returning host Russell Brand. "That event will be pop-culture center of the world," Brand told TVGuide.com. "The tribute to Michael Jackson will be brilliant."
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In anticipation of the big night, check out our list of some of the most memorable moments in VMA history:
Madonna Mocks Virginity (1984)
Let's take a trip down memory lane to 1984 when Madonna pushed award-show limits when she performed "Like a Virgin" at MTV's first-ever VMAs. Madge not only came out on stage atop a giant wedding cake, wearing a not-so-chaste version of a wedding dress (shredded tutu, bustier and fingerless lace gloves), but she actually dry-humped the floor and showed her panties to the audience.
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Andrew Dice Clay Gets Banned for Life (1989)
We know the folks at MTV ain't no prudes, but network brass wasn't laughing when chain-smoking Clay dropped some vulgar nursery rhymes (sample: "Rock-a-bye baby/on the tree top/your mother's a whore/I ain't your pop") into an introduction of Cher at the 1989 ceremony. Instead, they banned the comedian for life.
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Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley Stiffly Swap Spit (1994)
This awkward kiss will forever be burned into our brains. Jackson and new wife Presley appeared hand-in-hand onstage to introduce the 1994 show. But after Jackson welcomed the crowd and joked, "Just think, nobody thought this would last," he went in for a passionate kiss that left Presley nearly did a backbend to avoid.
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Diana Ross Grabs Lil' Kim's Boob (1999)
In the days before Janet Jackson's Nipplegate, you could get to second base on national television. Exhibit A: Diana Ross and Lil' Kim at the 1999 VMAs. The pint-sized rapper's revealing ensemble exposed her left breast, which was shielded only by a pasty. Ross copped a feel and jiggled it onstage. Talk about attention-grabbing!
Watch the video (2:00 mark):
Madonna Lays One on Britney — and Christina (2003)
Ah, the kiss heard around the world. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Madonna got tongues a-waggin' when they tongued each other during a medley of "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood" at the 2003 awards. Spears ex Justin Timberlake's dumbstruck reaction shot was pretty sweet, but isn't it weird how everyone forgets that Aguilera was even there?
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Triumph vs. Eminem (2002)
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, making light of the whole Eminem-Moby feud during the 2002 VMAs, joked with the vegan cueball on camera. Eminem, sitting a few rows ahead, was none too pleased. He and some unhappy-looking members of his crew and literally shut down the sharp-tongued pooch. Who knew all it took was a hand puppet to get the rapper fired up?
Watch the video (5:30 mark):
Eminem vs. Triumph @ VMA
Britney's Comeback Fail (2007)
Though she rallied in at the 2008 awards by winning three Moonmen, Britney's 2007 "comeback performance" was memorable for its total incompetency. Brit kicked off the show with a performance of her hit single "Gimme More." Even if she had learned the dance moves, her terrible lip-synching</strike> and overstuffed black bra and panties made it hard to turn away.
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What are your most memorable VMA moments?
Additional reporting by Joyce Eng
