Designed to drum up excitement for her upcoming album, Britney Spears' kickoff to the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night became another example of how far she has fallen. It would have been understandable if MTV's show had been crushed under the weight of the opening fiasco yet somehow it rebounded, and even flourished. (All pics courtesy AP)
Britney performed at the MTV Video Music Awards held at the Palms Hotel and Casino on Sunday in Las Vegas, but it wasn't quite what was expected.
There was out-of-synch lip-synching and lethargic movements that seemed choreographed by a dance instructor for a nursing home.
While a paunch was in place of Britney's once-taut belly, at times she just stopped singing altogether, as if even she knew nothing could save her performance.
After poor reviews and a decline in ratings over the last few years, MTV moved the show to Vegas, shortened it from three hours to two, went to a hostless format and focused more on performances than awards.
