The VMAs with all its hype really had me anticipating watching it Sunday night. I set my alarm clock just to make sure I didn’t forget that it was coming on. Like many of you, I set out my snacks, drinks and had a few friends over to watch what I felt would be MTV‘s comeback to NYC. With all of my preparation to watch a slew of performances I felt robbed of my time in watching 75% of the Video Music Awards. Overall I gave the MTV VMAs a grade of C from what I witnessed last night. Here is why the VMAs received this grade.

LIKES: It was great to see the VMAs return back to New York. For some reason the big apple just screams music and MTV feels at home there especially with their many TV programs housed in New York. I also liked how the Red Carpet was truly different from the norm. Although I would have liked to have seen more celebs on the red carpet, the appearance of Pharrell Williams and crew on bikes made it great. I loved how they laid such a huge red carpet right in the streets of Brooklyn. Another thing that I liked was how much outdoor space was used during the pre-show and ending with Katy Perry performing at the Brooklyn Bridge. For performances hands down Justin Timberlake stole the show. To even see N’SYNC reunite made the night epic. It was a great surprise to see Jennifer Hudson do a cameo. The humongous Moonman and multiple stages allowed the VMAs to again cover a lot of space this time in doors. DISLIKES: Being that this is a Video Music Award show I would have paid special attention to those who were performing and ensured it was relevant artist. Even with the artists who did perform last night, you could barely hear them. N’SYNC was muted outside of Justin and hearing JC Chasez scream into the mic at the closing of his segment was awful. The transition between each event seemed to be on delay. Presenters looked lost and I really felt Kevin Hart was thrown into the VMAs to try and fill space. Fashion and music for me are great partners. So I was really disappointed to see the lack of interest in sending celebs down the red carpet. Even for those who did show up on the red carpet MTV’s live blog had the worst photos. Now as much as I enjoyed Justin Timberlake singing over 5 songs, I didn’t enjoy the disaster that was Miley Cyrus. MTV is known for edge and rawness, but I truly wish some restraint was used last night.  Did anyone know Jimmy Fallen was the host? Who knew? Maybe the lack of a host is the reason why the awards show was all over the place. Additionally with so many technical sponsors of the VMAs, I was hoping to be impressed, but felt they didn’t show innovation.   MOVING FORWARD: I would focus on being as creative as possible. I felt with an event on such a large stage, it was very absent of design, technology and flow. There were more sponsors this year than ever and I didn’t see or feel that. I would focus in on the target audience and ensure the program is set to grab their attention. If artists are going to perform together, ensure it’s in their own age group. To see Miley Cyrus dancing up against Robin Thicke sent the absolute wrong message. The VMAs to me is a big party. I would have enforced the Brooklyn Block Party feel that the Pre-Show had into the actual awards show. Make the VMAs as an event that boosts music not drama like Taylor Swift against her One Direction Ex. They should have never been paired together last night. Give people the ability to cherish your award show based on how good it was not on the drama that occurred.

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