10 Best MTV Video Music Awards Moments of All Time

From its inception in 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA's) has been the source of some of the most outrageous moments on television. Although it's not exactly an "anything goes" show, it's not unusual for entertainers to pull something that shock's the audience, home viewers, and censors alike. MTV has seen their annual awards show go from one extreme to another; good or bad, it has happened.

The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards will air on Sunday, September 12 at 9 p.m. Eastern on MTV. According to MTV.com, Comedienne Chelsea Handler will be hosting this year's awards show.

Access Hollywood reports Kanye West will be allowed to attend this year's event and will be performing live. It'll be interesting to see if he can hold his tongue and maintain his seat without recreating that infamous scene reminiscent of 2009.

10 Best MTV Video Music Awards Moments:

In 1984, Madonna took to the stage for the first ever MTV Video Music Awards to perform her hit 'Like a Virgin'. This was Madonna at her finest. She wore a white lacy wedding gown as she rolled and writhed her way across the stage. Seriously. You had to see it. It was a great performance! It was definitely a classic moment in VMA history.

The Monkees reunited in 1986 to perform 'I'm a Believer' (you know, that catchy tune Donkey jams out to in Shrek). The performance was amazing for anyone who grew up listening to their music or had the opportunity to watch their TV series of the same name, even if in rerun heaven. This was a memorable VMA moment because, come on, these are The Monkees!

Three words: Andrew Dice Clay: This loudmouthed, foulmouthed comedienne-turned-"actor" earned himself a lifetime ban from the MTV Video Music Awards in 1989 after he spouted off some adult nursery rhymes of which he was quite famous for. This didn't sit well with censors. He was banned so fast his head didn't have time to spin.

In 1990, MTV VMA presenters and performers discussed things like freedom of speech and censorship. Music, lyrics, music videos, and even the artists were under attack. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler was vocal against Tipper Gore (yes, that Tipper) who led the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) responsible for those nifty parental advisory labels that adorn our CD covers.

In 1992, shock jock Howard Stern took to the stage as 'Fartman' after flying in from the rafters in a goofball superhero'ish outfit. His butt was visible through the holes in the underwear-looking bottoms he was wearing. Harnessing the power of his butt, he began to, well, you know. His butt cheeks were flapping in the wind, baby! Co-presenter Luke Perry commented, "Great a**, man." Seriously, what could anyone say? Mind you, Metallica was on stage at the time to accept their award for 'Best Metal/Hard Rock Video' for their hit 'Enter Sandman'. Metallica's Lars Ulrich wasn't exactly happy about what was going on and said Stern was stealing all of the attention. He had a point. This was Metallica's moment. Stern has always been an attention monger, but he did apologize years later to Ulrich and James Hetfield.

There was never a dull moment during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Entertainers did what they do best - they entertained us. There were moments of laughter and utter shock. 2000 was a year for MTV history books.

Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford climbed up a fake palm tree in 2000 after the group lost out to Limp Bizkit for 'Best Rock Video'. Commerford refused to come down and the show cut to commercials amidst the chaos. He was arrested and dude spent the night in jail. According to ActiveBass, RATM singer Zack De La Rocha left the show for his hotel room due to the humiliation of it all. Can you blame him?

That same year, Bobby Brown let loose the F-Bomb after he performed "Humpin' Around'. It got passed censors and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers commented Brown would be joining Andrew Dice Clay on MTV's banned-for-life list.

Another 2000 MTV VMA's moment came when Kurt Cobain (insert loud scream), Nirvana frontman, began playing 'Rape Me', a song the network had forbade the group from playing. It was a tease, however, because he then launched into 'Lithium'. Toward the end of the song, Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic threw his guitar in the air only to have it come down on his face. Ouch! If that wasn't enough, Cobaine trashed the amps and drummer Dave Grohl kept running to the mic yelling, "Hi Axl!" in reference to Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses fame.

In 2003, Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilara were involved in a kiss witnessed the world over. I'm pretty sure there was an earthquake somewhere, though it was more like a collective universal gasp. In a shocking move, Madonna first plants a big one on Britney. The camera goes in close for Justin Timberlake's eyebrow raising reaction (you know, because he and Britney had recently broken up), then Madonna plants one on Christina.

Who will ever forget the incident at the 2009 MTV VMA's? Taylor Swift was on stage to accept her award for 'Best Female Video' when Kanye West joined her, took the mic, and said, "I'm really happy for you, I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonceʹ had one of the best videos of all time." Kanye's rudeness was met with boo's from the audience, Swift was almost in tears, and Beyonceʹ looked absolutely mortified by what had happened. It was one of the most pathetic moments in VMA history and definitely one of the most memorable.

If this year's awards show is anything like those of past MTV VMA's, get your popcorn ready because anything, and I do mean anything, can happen. How could it not with all that talent and supersized egos in the house?

Sources:
MTV Video Music Awards Viewer Since 1984
2010 MTV Video Music Awards | MTV.com
Kanye West Confirmed To Perform At VMAs | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos, & Videos
ActiveBass: Rage Against the Machine Explain Bassist's Actions