Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - September 1, 2006, Winnipeg, Manitoba a8 Winnipeg free press Friday september 1, 2006 mtg awards Mas a decidedly Dull affair yet again Blacks Promise to re energize big mtg gala goes unfulfilled by Nekesia Mumbai Moody n new York ? where Are Eminem and Triumph the insult comic dog when you need them despite Shakira a Ever gyrating hips Justin Timberlake a sex Yback and the obscured image of a naked midget the first hour of the annual mtg video music awards had about As much spontaneity As an episode of cribs. This show has been lame farts for the past 20 years Host Jack Black said before he took the stage last night for his opening sketch. And i a going to Light the match instead Black continued a trend. After a perfunctory performance by Timberlake to kick off the show Black had a promising bit that poked fun at the shows increasingly staid reputation. Painting himself As the Man to inject life Back into the Mas he took to the stage in a Moon Man outfit ? which caught fire. But Blacks shtick quickly got old. Even lil Kim who once appeared at the Mas wearing a pasty on one breast failed to get the party started. Recently released from prison after serving time for perjury she stripped off an Orange jail suit to reveal. Some thing that resembled a Funky business suit. Hillary Clinton has worn More revealing outfits. Though the mtg awards have never lacked Star Power ? last year Diddy acted As Host and stars ranging from Eva Longoria to Jessica Simpson and then Hubby Nick Lachey squeezed themselves into the spotlight ? that trademark water cooler mtg moment has to materialized recently like Eminem punching out a puppet. This year the disturbing trend of normalcy continued. Shakira and Wyclif Jean performed a colourful but Rote performance of her smash hips Don to lie Lud Acris and Pharrell posed their Way through showstopper. There was just one profanity laced acceptance speech Courtesy of the Rock group Afi whose frontman Davey havoc accepted the award for Best group video by saying we just won a Moon Man ? i am getting so trashed tonight the nights hottest new couple new buddies 50 cent and la Cool a introduced one of the awards. But 50, per haps with no More foes to beef with was almost zen like onstage and offer ing no fun disses to excite the crowd. The Lack of outrageousness almost made you Long for the Days when Michael Jackson was making out with Lisa Marie Presley ? that was Creepy but at least it kept us talking. Beyond got some Points for at least trying to do something that resembled a showstopper. Singing her Call to arms the anti cheating single ring the alarm she appeared on stage wearing a sexy Trench coat and a searing gaze. But while her voice was in perfect form the performance was disjointed and the out of place dance number in the Middle seemed to rip off the choreography from Janet Jackson a rhythm nation almost 20 years earlier. Still she managed to keep things interesting ? which could hardly be said for the rest of the evening. At one Point the Crew from the mtg Gross out show jackass gave one of its members an electric Shock jolting his system. If Only they could have delivered a similar dose to the whole telecast. Of yeah ? the awards. In the Early going Best male video went to James Blunt for you re Beautiful and Best hip hop video went to the Black eyed peas for my humps. Kelly Clarkson was not on hand to accept Best female video for because of you but All six pussycat dolls accepted the Best dance video award for buttons. Pink took Best pop video with stupid girl. Best direction went to gnarly Barkley for crazy and Best new artist was avenged sevenfold and Bat coun try. ? associated press Jason Decrow / associated press top left Peter Wentz of fall out boy with a furry Little Friend. Top right Host Jack Black tries to get the party started. Bottom left a stylish Jennifer Lopez arrives at the gala with Marc Anthony. Bottom right Christina Aguilera on the red carpet ;