MTV Awards high on drama, low on security

So let's assume that Kanye West's hijacking of Taylor Swift's special moment at last night's "Video Music Awards" wasn't staged. Although our inner cynic thinks "setup," we keep being told that West acted on his own and that Swift was visibly upset backstage after the incident.

Does that mean that security at the MTV Awards is so lax that pretty much anyone can just wonder up to the stage and take over the show? Is it like an airport where once you get through the initial round of security you can roam anywhere?

It'd be different if West had sauntered out from backstage, but he got up from his seat and rushed the stage where apparently there was no one there to tell the rapper to pump the brakes. Unlike other awards shows like the Emmys and Oscars, which tend to be staid affairs with crowds made up of industry executives, stars and media, the MTV Awards has all that and -- gasp -- regular people as well. After all, who else are you going to get to get to sit in a mosh pit for a few hours? You'd think that alone would merit a few beefy guards scattered about.

It's not like there isn't security elsewhere during the telecast. At last night's show, which was held at Radio City Music Hall, attendees had their bags searched and went through a check point and had a metal detector wand waved over them before being allowed entry. Tickets were constantly checked and rechecked. 

Furthermore, one might think that after the Kanye incident, MTV would have said to themselves, "Let's make sure that doesn't happen again tonight." But no, at the end of the show Little Mama, star of the cable network's show "America's Best Dance Crew," rolled on stage and awkwardly got her groove on behind Jay-Z during his closing performance.

Whether last night's incident will have MTV thinking about tightening security around the stage in the future remains to be seen. While the network prides itself on the spontaneity of the telecast -- if it can go to all the trouble of having Pink perform acrobatics while lip syncing -- they can hire a few moonlighting New York cops to stop the occasional disgruntled performer from spoiling the show.

An MTV spokeswoman said "security measures were absolutely in place and we take the security of everyone in attendance very seriously. As with all our events, we will conduct a thorough review and this is one of the areas we will be addressing." The spokeswoman added the network has an "assumption of trust" with the artists and an expectation that everyone will "exemplify a certain level of decorum."

Might want to rethink that assumption on a case-by-case basis.

In the meantime, no word if the Emmys are going to boost security for their broadcast this Sunday. They might want to. We hear that Glenn Close will be really mad if her "Damages" co-star William Hurt doesn't win.

-- Joe Flint

Photo: Taylor Swift. Credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Lisa]

Joe I agree with you except for one thing: Pink doesn't lip-sync. She's been doing that acrobatic act on all her tours and singing live every time. Do your research.

[Josh]

West is so fricking ridiculous that he needs to Do this kinda things for people not to forget about his black ugly ass.... Of course it was staged!!!!

[Tim]

If we're going to look for conspiracies, we should at least remember that there's staged and then there's staged. You could have any amount of collusion between West and the producers without Swift knowing what was going to happen. Heck even the producers needn't have known what specifically West was going to say. But it seems liklier that MTV does let people wander on stage, to give their dog-and-pony show some sense of sponteneity, and just depend on people to care enough about their own careers to keep civil. For my money, West needs to learn to hold his liquor better.

[teetee]

that is so ingnorant.because that was her first ever award and canyay west just ruined it saying it should go 2 some1 else.if i was her i would sew

[Jermaine Walker]

Kanya West does not appriciate nor does he respect the Music game. I dont care what u been through,hes not the only one that been through some stuff,thats life. That still does not give you the right to snatch the MIC from some one and inturupt their shine. If he would have snatched the mic from me or my lady , he would have got smacked.

[I want sandwich]

Oh Come On! Tighten up security?? If Kanye wants to make an ass of himself on MTV let him. You're not talking about assault here. Would you rather people get tasered for not following the script?

And after watching the clip I kind of take it as no thing. So someone said something stupid and petty what's the big deal it's not like that doesn't happen on a daily basis on national tv. If someone says something inappropriate you call them out, but heightened security?

[kp]

Dear god, will you cage these degenerates please.

Rap has topped out and is done as a viable art form. Good riddance. It added nothing to the social fabric but guns, and criminal behavior acted out BY CRIMINALS.

Send them back to ghetto where they belong

[Jack Henry]

Unlike the staged Bruno-Eminen stunt, there's no good PR here. You're wrong. This isn't about "security" although you're certainly working hard to find some point for your blog. Stop excusing Kanye's egomaniacal boorish behavior (habit?) which is beyond tiresome and stupid.

[ColoradoRob]

Just totally Classless. Goes to show what yahoos these Hip-Hop people are. The article said what security, let's face it, it would be a bunch of big Brother's that wouldn't stop any Hip-Hopper from doing anything. Just a bunch of Rich Bloods and Crips!!!

[Cathleen leal]

OMG Kanye West what a fool, i really did enjoy his music until now, I will never ever buy his music again, Kanye thinks we honestly care about what he thinks???????? Heck no........... I dont listen to Taylor swift but she is a young girl who is making it in the music biz, kayne leave her alone. you are the most self center person I have ever seen on an award show. you seem to think your the greatest rapper, but helllllll no. Hey and by the way stop kissing ass to Jay Z, he is one of the greats you will never be like him, not now, not never. I no that your mother is looking down at you shaking her head. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[Kelly]

There needs to be a punishment!! He needs to be banned from any awards show.. 2 years , 5 years whatever it is they need to do it. Kanye has done it before and he will do it again....it's not far to all the other artist's.

[Sixth Avenue Resident]

Joe Flint is right. Security at the MTV awards was too low. MTV flacks admitted guests near the stage were allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. At the very least, MTV should have hired some bouncers from nearby New York City bars to take care of people who became unruly at the event. But, the pickup crews that put on these events don't have the law on their necks to keep the event sane and safe.

[Suzy]

Let's call an ass an ass. West took Taylor's moment away from her and there is no excuse for that. Talk about needing to grow up. Taylor showed more maturity and grace then West ever could and those who make excuses for his bad behavior need to grow up too.

[Chuck]

His disrespectful behavior has completely overshadowed his talent. I will not put money in the pocket of an artist who does not support his fellow artists. Not a dime. Oh yeah! FYI...PINK does not ever lip-sync.

[Nudie Fan]

Total setup -- otherwise anyone with half a brain (Taylor?) would say "I agree with you Kanye, Beyonce and all the nominees are amazing, that is why I am so surprised to win this!!!" Instead, everyone freaked out (staged, of course) and they hustled to commercial (staged), and then later Beyonce brings Taylor out so that she can complete her speech (staged). Remember the Bruno, Eminem incident??? -- STAGED!!!

[joE aKa jErrY]

i reckon taylor deserved the award ! she's done great fo sumwun hur age . buht yea, kanye needs to take his crazy pills b4 he goes 2 dah mtv awards again ahye!
>>[PT_boyZ]<<

[paul]

That'll be WANDER up to the stage.
Sometimes I WONDER where journalism is going.
Sheeesh !

[Clare]

Paragraph 2, first sentence, "wonder" should be wander. Where are your editors?

[rpj22]

If you think there was little security at that show, have another look at the Green Day number. When Armstrong started mingling with the crowd, there was a small army of goons minding the whole thing.

[Diana Velazquez]

i dont think this was a set up. I personally think that Kanye West acted on his own and he did what he wanted to do, They even showed some backstage footage of Taylor Swift really upset almost crying, so i doubt it was all a "set up". This really shows how low the security level was at the VMAs, anybody could've gone on stage and done something. They should work on that next year, and about kanye...im really disapointed in him.