MTV Video Movie Awards Recap; Beyonce Dominates Disappointing VMAs

The unofficial end of summer is here, as MTV brings its annual Video Music Awards back to Los Angeles after taking the show on the road to Brooklyn's Barclays Center a year ago. Though every VMA ceremony has a level of unpredictability, with last year's Miley Cyrus-Robin Thicke performance still disturbingly fresh in many people's minds, the question is, can anybody top it? The rumor is that Beyoncé is going to be addressing rumors about her marriage during her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award performance. Is this going to be a good thing, or a bad thing for Jovah?

Last year, Broadway baby Ariana Grande made quite the splash performing on the VMA Preshow. However, this year, she is singing her song "Break Free" with Zedd. Grande will also she will open the show alongside Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, when they perform their hit song "Bang....Bang."

Other performances will include Iggy Azalea, Rita Ora, Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Usher, and more.

The Pre-show will be hosted by "Pretty Little Liars" and country music star Lucy Hale, and the list of presenters include Broadway alum and "Orange is the New Black" Emmy winner Uzo Aduba, "Dumb and Dumber To" stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, "OITNB" stars Taylor Schilling and Laverne Cox, Jimmy Fallon, Chelsea Handler, Kim Kardashian, Lorde, Demi Lovato, and new "The Voice" coach Gwen Stefani.

I will be live recapping the evening's festivities beginning with the Red Carpet Preshow at 8:00pm ET. So, join me here on BWW TV, and add your own reactions in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt. What nominees and performances are you most excited to watch?

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VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

12:20- Ok, that's a wrap on a very odd, uneven VMAs. I don't know if it was the craziness of Miley and awesomeness of JT, but this year's edition just didn't have the memorable moments that last year did. I am sure people will be talking about Beyonce's performance, Nicki's dry-humping, and Miley's message, but it all seems like a let down compared to the expectations coming off of last year. What say you? Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter.

12:15- Best Direction

Beyoncé, "Pretty Hurts"
WINNER: DJ Snake & Lil Jon, "Turn Down For What"
Eminem ft. Rihanna, "The Monster"
Miley Cyrus, "Wrecking Ball"
OK Go, "The Writing's On The Wall"

Best Visual Effects

Disclosure, "Grab Her!"
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, "Turn Down For What"
Eminem, "Rap God"
Jack White, "Lazaretto"
WINNER: OK Go, "The Writing's On The Wall"

Best Art Direction

WINNER: Arcade Fire, "Reflektor"
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, "Turn Down For What"
Eminem, "Rap God"
Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, "Fancy"
Tyler, the Creator, "Tamale"

Best Editing

Beyoncé, "Pretty Hurts"
WINNER: Eminem, "Rap God"
Fitz and the Tantrums, "The Walker"
MGMT, "Your Life is a Lie"
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams, "Stay the Night"

11:55- They've finally started announcing the winners of the other VMAs. As soon as they come out, I will post them.

Best Choreography

Beyoncé, "Partition"
Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz, "Talk Dirty"
Kiesza, "Hideaway"
Michael Jackson ft. Justin Timberlake, "Love Never Felt So Good"
WINNER: Sia, "Chandelier"
Usher, "Good Kisser"

MTV Clubland Award

Calvin Harris, "Summer"
Disclosure, "Grab Her!"
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, "Turn Down For What"
Martin Garrix, "Animals"
WINNER: Zedd featuring Hayley Williams, "Stay the Night"

Best Video With A Social Message

Angel Haze featuring Sia, "Battle Cry"
Avicii featuring Dan Tyminski, "Hey Brother"
WINNER: Beyoncé, "Pretty Hurts"
David Guetta, "One Voice"
J. Cole, "Crooked Smile"
Kelly Rowland, "Dirty Laundry"

Best Collaboration

Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, "Problem"
WINNER: Beyoncé featuring Jay Z, "Drunk In Love"
Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Tyga, "Loyal"
Eminem featuring Rihanna, "The Monster"
Katy Perry featuring Juicy J, "Dark Horse"
Pitbull featuring Kesha, "Timber"

11:14- And now we go back to the beginning of the show with nine awards not presented. There are no winners listed on the MTV Press Site. Did they just run out of time and decide to pretend that these awards didn't exist? I'm confused.

11:12- I think we can now put the divorce rumors to rest now. Look, I am not in Beyonce's key demographic, but there is no doubt that she can perform. Greatest living performer? I don't know about that, but she is darn good.

11:08- Kelly Rowland is sitting next to Jay Z thinking, "That should have been me."

11:04- Gotta admit, I've never seen a stained-glass dress before, so that's something.

11:02- Ok, Queen B fans, tell me what is going on. It sounds like she is saying she's not leaving Jay Z, right?

10:55- I am admittedly not as up on the Beyonce catalogue since the "Single Ladies" days, but this set is a bit of a disappointment after last year's Timberlake epic medley.

You know you are too engrossed in the world of musical theatre when Beyonce's backup dancers make you think of the costume Annaleigh Ashford wore when she performed with the Skivvies.

10:53- The amount of snark that people are throwing out on Twitter right now about Miley's surprise is pretty shocking. First we made fun of people trying to raise money for ALS, now we are incredibly cynical about someone using their platform to bring awareness to youth homelessness. Chill folks, chill.

10:47- When Miley promised a surprise during the Preshow, having a teen runaway accept her award to bring awareness to homeless youths was the furthest thing from my mind. Good for her. It's really hard to knock Miley after seeing how moved she was by Jesse's speech. Darn you Miley for having a heart and ruining my opportunity to make petty jokes.

10:45- Video of the Year

Beyoncé featuring Jay Z, "Drunk In Love"
Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX, "Fancy"
WINNER: Miley Cyrus, "Wrecking Ball"
Pharrell Williams, "Happy"
Sia, "Chandelier"

10:44- I love me some Jimmy Fallon.

10:42- The VMA for Best Subtle Use of a Roman Numeral in Their Set goes to Maroon "V".

10:41- MTV is a Viacom subsidiary, but now that we've had three "Voice" coaches at the VMAs, they are doing NBC a solid.

10:40- The amount of product/project placement on the VMAs is unbelievable, but unless the Dancing Hamsters show up during this Maroon 5 performance presented by Kia, I will be extremely disappointed.

10:31- Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora are dressed like they are gonna star in a really odd reimagining of "Side Show." That look Miley was giving in the middle was either enrapture, or disgust. Either way, I'm not sure the director made the right decision cutting to that camera.

10:26- I'm all for Robin Williams tributes, and I can't wait to see Billy Crystal's tomorrow night on the Emmys, but that was weird, right? Not only was it out of no where, but it was really short.

10:24- Artist to Watch, Presented by Taco Bell

5 Seconds of Summer, "She Looks So Perfect"
Charli XCX, "Boom Clap"
WINNER: Fifth Harmony, "Miss Movin' On"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"
Schoolboy Q, "Man of the Year"

Simon Cowell wins again... damn you Cowell.

10:15- I don't have anything snarky to say about 5 Seconds of Summer. They were actually pretty good, and get extra props for playing and singing live.

10:07- Best Rock Video

Arctic Monkeys, "Do I Wanna Know?"
Black Keys, "Fever"
Imagine Dragons, "Demons"
Linkin Park, "Until It's Gone"
WINNER: Lorde, "Royals"

9:58- I really like Usher. It's clear from his time on "The Voice" that he really likes himself, but he seems like a legitimately nice guy, and he can dance, but some of these notes are kind of painful. Maybe he should have gone with the pre-tecorded vocals for this one.

9:57- And now with Usher, we can add "Chicago" to the list. Way to go Broadway, proud of you.

9:55- With Uzo Aduba taking the stage, "13: The Musical" and "Godspell" have been represented. Who says Broadway isn't mainstream anymore?

9:53- Did I miss the announcement that Jay Pharoah was hosting the VMAs? I think I would have remembered that fact. Either way, I wish he would go away at this point.

9:50- I can't decide if that Rob Schneider-State Farm ad was the coolest, or most sad thing I've ever seen.

9:47- Best Hip-Hop Video

Childish Gambino, "3005″
WINNER: Drake ft. Majid Jordan, "Hold On (We're Going Home)"
Eminem, "Berzerk"
Kanye West, "Black Skinhead"
Wiz Khalifa, "We Dem Boyz"

9:45- Common taking this opportunity to talk about the lessons learned in Ferguson, MO was a nice touch. Pays tribute to Hip Hop's history of speaking out against social injustice. Public Enemy would be proud.

9:37- It's a little weird for me to hear a Sam Smith song somewhere other than on "So You Think You Can Dance." Ok, I'm a Sam Smith fan now. Dude can not only sing, but he can sing live. Well done. The only thing that concerns me is that Kim Kardashian introduced him as her friend. How big of a strike is that against him?

9:35- Best Pop Video

WINNER: Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, "Problem"
Avicii featuring Aloe Blacc, "Wake Me Up"
Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX, "Fancy"
Jason Derulo featuring 2 Chainz, "Talk Dirty"
Pharrell Williams, "Happy"

9:33- Twenty years ago, Jim Carrey was the best thing on the VMAs and MTV Movie Awards. Now, he is the old crazy guy that people laugh at out of pity.

9:31- If Beyonce does announce that she is divorcing Jay Z tonight, it might be because of this terrible Jay Pharoah impression.

9:25- Best Male Video

WINNER: Ed Sheeran featuring Pharrell Williams, "Sing"
Eminem featuring Rihanna, "The Monster"
John Legend, "All of Me"
Pharrell Williams, "Happy"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"

Can you have upsets in an awards show where the winners all know ahead of time? I can't believe any video had a bigger impact this year than "Happy."

9:20- Does this actually count as the first "live" performance of "Shake it Off"? There is a very "Gatsby" feel to the whole thing. She does know that's like 1929, not 1989? I was really expecting some big costume change when Taylor walked down behind the 1989, but no, it was just an awkward opportunity for her to take a breather.

9:19- Lorde with the understatement of the night saying that she and Taylor Swift have nothing in common.

9:11- Jay Pharoah is doing standup on the VMAs? I wouldn't have thought he would be the SNL cast member to get a spot on the show, but good for him.

9:10- Best Female Video

Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, "Problem"
Beyoncé, "Partition"
Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX, "Fancy"
WINNER: Katy Perry featuring Juicy J, "Dark Horse"
Lorde, "Royals"

9:08- Is Gwen dressed in costume for "Kill Bill Volume 3"?

9:07- By the way, Jessie J can SANG!

9:06- Either Nicki couldn't get her costume changed in time, or she is about to out Miley, Miley.

9:05- Serious question, does Ariana ever performing in anything other than a leotard?

9:02- Did Nicki Minaj just recycle the costumes and sets from Katy Perry's "Roar"? If people got upset about Miley twerking last year, what will they say about Nicki dry humping the stage?

9:00- Our little Broadway girl Ariana Grande opens up the show by ACTUALLY singing. Over/under of three other acts singing live tonight. What you got?

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PRE-SHOW | RED CARPET

8:58- Wow, Katy Perry drove six feet in a Lamborghini with the guy that James Franco pretended to be in "Spring Breakers." Impressive

8:54- Apparently Austin Mahone made some unbelieveable entrance to the Red Carpet, would have been nice to see it... I think.

8:53- Oh no, all of the screaming teens have gotten to me too, I can see inside the LA Forum, but I can't hear anything... I am getting old!

8:37- Fifth Harmony "performing" "Boss" and Charli XCX "performing" "Boom Clap": I would have more respect for both of these acts if they just didn't even carry microphones and pretend like they are sing. We all know you are lip-syncing, don't lie to us. I also believe that I Fifth Harmony said that they would like to be like both Kim Kardashian and Michelle Obama in their song. That's a totally normal combo to aspire to.

8:34- I understand the squeling teens in the audience are probably deafening, but can someone get Sway and the artists he's interviewing functioning in-ears?

8:31- I don't think that was the reaction Usher thought he would get when he showed up in the crowd. It looked like either a) no one recognized him, or b) no one cared.

8:29- Apparently Jennifer Lopez is wearing a diamond-encrusted version of Rose McGowan's classic chainmail dress.

8:25- Miley Cyrus keeping it classy at the VMAs; getting bleeped, referencing Nicki Minaj's gigantic badonkadonk, and promising a special moment that she won't spoil in fear that MTV might put a stop to it. Billy Ray must be proud.

8:20- Gwen Stefani! Thank goodness. Finally someone that didn't need their Mom to drive them to the VMAs! Seriously though, has she aged since 1995? She was my second celebrity crush (Kelly Kapowski was my first), and she looks like she could still rock the "Just a Girl" outfit.

8:16- I think Iggy Azalea is wearing the grill of a tricked out Mercedes.

8:13- Sway is making dreams happen by introducing his co-host Lucy Hale to her favorite artist, Taylor Swift. Even celebrities can be super fans, now I don't feel bad about how much I love Laura Benanti.

8:08- There is nothing that lets you know just how old you are as watch the VMAs and realize 75% of the nominees were born after you started high school.

8:07- Best Lyric Video

WINNER: 5 Seconds of Summer - "Don't Stop"
Ariana Grande (featuring Iggy Azalea) - "Problem"
Demi Lovato (featuring Cher Lloyd) - "Really Don't Care"
Austin Mahone (featuring Pitbull) - "Mmm Yeah"
Katy Perry - "Birthday"

8:05- In honor of 1989, the last time MTV actually showed music videos, Jason Derulo lead the Red Carpet crowd in a wave? Really? Jason is going to be extremely in demand at minor league basebal stadiums all over America.

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