MTV Decides To Go Without A Host for the VMAs This Year

Tune into the VMAs this Sunday, Aug. 28 @ 9/8C on MTV!

Last year’s VMAs host was Miss Chelsea Handler, and the year before that, Russell Brand, but what about this year…?

No one!

This all according to MTV executive VP for Music and Talent, and executive producer of the VMAs, Amy Doyle, who recently gave a brief interview with Billboard.biz.

When asked about what she thought contributes to the success of the show, Amy seems to think it has more to do with the artists featured and their unique performances, rather than the show’s host (kind of how Lady Gaga’s meat dress upstaged Chelsea Handler last year).

Amy tells Billboard, “The audience tunes in for performances that are unique and not typical performances that you see on “Letterman” or other awards shows. You aren’t going to see this level of performance elsewhere. I think the major hook to the VMAs is things like Pink doing ‘Sober’ live while flying around. We surround every performance with the best creative teams and these performers create memorable moments”.

As for the possible absence of a host this year, Amy says, “Hosting is such a unique element. We feel we got it right by putting new talent on the stage like Chelsea (Handler) and Russell (Brand). We’re really challenging ourselves to find the right person so that the show feels complete.” (A side note on the Billboard site mentioned that since Amy’s interview took place, MTV decided to go sans host.)

With major performers like Adele, Lady Gaga, and most recently announced, Beyoncé, I think Amy’s right…the show’s really about the artists, and not so much about who hosts it.  Although, I have to say, I did fancy Russell as the host a couple years ago!

I think with the star-studded list of performers they will have on the show this year (and years going forward), they will do just fine with ratings.