1997 MTV Video Music Awards

Background

MTV announced on July 7 that the 1997 Video Music Awards would be held at Radio City Music Hall on September 4 and hosted by Chris Rock. Nominees were announced on July 22. MTV noted prior to the show that performances would be "more heavily choreographed" than in previous ceremonies. The ceremony broadcast was preceded by the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards Opening Act. Hosted by Kurt Loder and Tabitha Soren with reports from Serena Altschul, Chris Connelly, Abbie Kearse, and John Norris, the broadcast featured red carpet interviews, a pre-taped interview with Mariah Carey, the world premiere of Janet Jackson's music video for "Got 'til It's Gone," and performances from Foo Fighters and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The Foo Fighters' performance was notable for guitarist Pat Smear's announcement that he was leaving the band and Franz Stahl's debut as a band member. The theme of this year's show takes place in a Japanese-style theme, with numerous screens abroad. The nomination packages also featured Japanese like language, although it is unclear what they actually mean though.

Performances

Presenters

Pre-show

• Chris Connelly and Serena Altschul – presented Best Rock Video and announced the winners of the professional categories and Breakthrough Video

Main show

• Cindy Crawford and Pat Smear – presented Best Group Video
• Martha Stewart and Busta Rhymes – presented Best Dance Video
• Dennis Franz – appeared in vignettes about Viewer's Choice nominees
• Madonna – talked about the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and introduced The Prodigy
• Kevin Bacon and Janeane Garofalo – presented Best Video from a Film
• Adam Sandler and Meredith Brooks – presented Best Alternative Video
• Wu-Tang Clan – introduced Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat and Lisa Lopes
• Elton John – announced that MTV would donate a portion of the ceremony's proceeds to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, and presented Best New Artist in a Video
• Dermot Mulroney and John Popper – presented Best Male Video (and also announced Beck's win for Best Direction in a Video)
• Mariah Carey – presented the Video Vanguard Award to LL Cool J
• No Doubt – presented Best R&B Video
• Mike Myers – introduced Beck
• Sheryl Crow – chatted with The Rolling Stones via satellite, then introduced the next presenters
• Fiona Apple and Chris Tucker – introduced the International Viewer's Choice Awards winners
• Maxwell, Dave Matthews and Boyd Tinsley – presented Best Rap Video
• Janet Jackson – presented the Video Vanguard Award to Mark Romanek
• Naomi Campbell – introduced Jamiroquai
• David Arquette and Lisa Marie Presley – presented Viewer's Choice
• Blackstreet – presented Best Female Video
• Will Smith – presented Video of the Year
• Daria and Jane – appeared before the final commercial break to sarcastically praise the show

Winners and nominees

Winners are in bold text.

Artists with multiple wins and nominations

References

References

1. (September 5, 1997). "Beck, Jamiroquai Big Winners at MTV Music Awards". [[CNN]].
2. Huff, Richard. (July 8, 1997). "MTV Will Chris Rock 'n' Roll in NYC with Music-Vid Awards". [[New York Daily News]].
3. (July 23, 1997). "Jamiroquai Leads MTV Nods". The Times.
4. Strauss, Neil. (September 3, 1997). "The Pop Life". [[The New York Times]].
5. (September 4, 1997). "Pat Smear Leaves the Foo Fighters, on Live MTV".
6. (September 2, 1997). "Meredith Brooks to Open for Video Music Awards Online".
7. "MTV Music - VMA Red Carpet".
8. "MTV Video Music Awards 1997".