NO SURPRISES AT MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

The MTV Video Music Awards show was staged without controversy or surprise Sunday night (no interruptions by the likes of Kanye West, no meat dresses worn by the likes of Lady Gaga), with top awards going to Katy Perry for Video of the Year (“Firework”); Justin Bieber for Best Male Video (“U Smile”); Lady Gaga for Best Female Video (“Born This Way”); and Tyler, The Creator for Best New Artist (“Yonkers”). Celebrities attending the event brought smartphones and tablets and tweeted throughout the production as part of a “second screen” experiment by the Viacom-owned channel. The website LostRemote.com commented, “This is a game changer for the mobile experience of a live event with hundreds of celebrities. If you’re a celebrity at the VMAs and not tweeting, you’re missing out in a big way.” MTV also posted clips from the event on its own site, on YouTube, and on various social networks.