SANTA MONICA – On Saturday, in an aircraft hanger that has hosted more famous faces than arguably any aircraft hanger in the world, Viacom put on the 2019 MTV Movie and TV Awards. This pundit was on hand to take in a three-hour production that was widdled down to a two-hour telecast for your enjoyment this evening. Like all awards shows there were highs and lows and, luckily, if you wanted to partake this one provided a wide assortment of alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Having attended the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Britannia Awards and various other awards ceremonies, there is no denying MTV puts on a good party. Most of the general seats were comfortable and the seats for the talent (who were placed at tables) had to be the nicest I have ever seen (they were pretty close to office desk chairs). MTV knows they are asking people to spend a long time in the venue and the only participants who really got a raw deal out of it were the “fans” who stood for over four hours on either side of the stage. Getting a high five from some of the industry’s biggest stars hopefully made up for it.
As for the winners, well as I responded to someone much later that night, “Does it even matter?” You can find the winners list here, but there was little tension in the room. Most of the stars on hand were clearly told they had won at least one award. Publicity-shy Sandra Bullock ain’t showing up just to sit in the audience all night.
Keeping all that in mind, here are some takeaways and behind-the-scenes observations from the production.
Herstory was made
Trixie Mattel, winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars” season three and currently a major comedy touring act, made history as the first drag queen to present at a major award show in drag since RuPaul in the ’90s. Viacom’s hunch that she’d resonate with viewers was on target as she got one of the biggest reactions from the fans on hand. Her schtick with Nick Kroll, a noted fan of “Drag Race,” didn’t go off as well as you might have hoped, but what award show bits do? In a moment that could only be described as very “Trixie” to her fans, after the duo walked off the stage Mattel turned to Kroll for a very all-business handshake. Mattel stayed for the rest of the show while fellow “Drag Race” alumni who walked the red carpet, Alyssa Edwards and Katya, left about halfway through.
Zachary Levi gave it the old college try
The former “Chuck” star was obviously on hand because of his role in the hit movie, “Shazam!,” but charm can only take you so far. Levi never seemed uncomfortable in his role and certainly brought enthusiastic energy to the room. The problem was the taped spoof bits that were shown centered around “Us” and “Game of Thrones” were just not funny (and the former was slightly problematic?). It didn’t help that his monologue was formulaic even for a second-tier awards show. In person, Levi also missed out on talking to the audience when the show wasn’t “taping.” There was a ton of downtime and even some back and forth with the crowd could have worked wonders.
Lizzo brought her “Juice” for the masses
No, the rising pop diva didn’t let it all out (literally) like she has in concert or even with some late night talk show performances, but that didn’t stop her from trying to raise the roof with her signature hit, “Juice.” Both Lizzo and her backup dancers were conservatively dressed which seemed very odd for MTV. Following the performance, she ran down the exit ramp and almost tackled either her manager or choreographer in joy. It may not have been the Grammys or VMAs (don’t worry, the former is coming), but this was a huge moment for the 31-year-old who has been fighting for attention since her debut album was released six years ago.
That stage was a knockout
MTV may not have wanted to commit the funds to air the program live, but boy did they invest in the set. The stage featured three gigantic electronic screens on three sides (why the Oscars don’t go somewhat in this direction baffles me) that had a profound impact. Each category had its own CG animated background on the screens (not cheap) and the stage glittered from the far back of the hanger. Even the hung colored balls that moved up and down above the stage were a nice touch.
A Kanye West moment that wasn’t
When “Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta” won the Reality Royalty award five people walked from the audience onto the stage. One of them wasn’t from the show, however, and many in the audience likely assumed he was a producer. None of the other people walking on stage questioned why he was joining them and when he went to the microphone there was barely an attempt to stop him. It turns out he was Johnny Bananas, a cast member of “The Challenge,” another Viacom program that lost the category. The contestant thanked his production company, Bunim Murray, among others, and then just turned around and walked off the stage. There was no security. No one reacted from the telecast. It was ceremony crashing with a…whimper? And that was what was so odd about it. He returned to his chair in the audience and no one said anything. Was he encouraged? Was it a planned bit? Shrug.
Jada Pinkett Smith
The longtime actress and host/creator of Facebook Watch’s “Red Table Talk” admitted during her long acceptance speech that she initially didn’t think she was worthy of a trailblazer award. Then she said the more she thought about it, the more she realized she was a trailblazer “in her own mind” and that everyone in the room (and watching) as a trailblazer in their mind. I have no idea if they will keep that in the edit or what it means, but eek. Also, how about the only two talking heads in her prepackaged video being Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah? Too on the nose?
The Rock rules
No one, I mean no one got as loud of a reception as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson when he accepted his Generation Award. It was an epic roar. His presentation was also the second thing on the agenda as Johnson left immediately afterward. Shocked they didn’t edit it for later in the show.
Brie Larson makes a point
The Oscar-winner won Best Fight for her battle with Minn-Erva in “Captain Marvel” (show us the receipts on that one MTV), but she took the moment to honor the real champions of that scene, her trainer and her stunt double. Larson quickly stepped to the side and let Ingrid Kleinig and Joanna Bennett accept the award. For an industry that refuses to give an Oscar to stunt performers (only the SAG Awards recognizes their contributions), it was a reminder who the real heroes are on the sets of many of your favorite blockbusters.
We’ll never shade love for “Schitt’s Creek”
Honestly, we’re not sure there are enough fans of “Schitt’s Creek” online in both the U.S. and Canada for Dan Levy to beat Zachary Levi or Awkwafina in the Comedic Performance category, but we ain’t mad at it. The CBC and POP TV show needs all the love it can get to earn its first Emmy nomination next month and if any Television Academy voters are watching maybe they’ll pay attention. And here we were initially just excited Levy and co-star Annie Murphy got to present an award!