LOS ANGELES – The buzz-heavy 2011 Video Music Awards scored the biggest audience in MTV’s history, MTV said on Monday.

MTV, owned by Viacom, said that a record-breaking 12.4 million people watched Sunday’s live performance and awards ceremony from Los Angeles, where Beyonce revealed she was pregnant with her first child, Lady Gaga appeared in drag, and the late British singer Amy Winehouse was remembered in a moving tribute.

Last year’s MTV Video Music Awards ceremony — where Gaga appeared in a dress made of raw meat — drew 11.4 million viewers — the biggest audience since 2002.

MTV said that 8.5 million of those watching Sunday’s show were 12-34 year-olds, making it the most watched telecast of all time in that age group.

Katy Perry and Adele were the biggest winners, taking home three awards each, but it was Beyonce who was the story of the night.

“Beyonce stole everyone’s thunder by revealing she was pregnant,” said Billboard. Entertainment Weekly said the singer’s baby bump was the “one defining moment” of the evening.

Other reviewers and online fans highlighted the salute by Bruno Mars, Tony Bennett and Russell Brand to Winehouse, 27, who died of still to be determined causes in London in July, and a simple, effects-free performance by Britain’s Adele.

The Los Angeles Times said Chris Brown’s “career rehab” performance — following his 2009 conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna — was also a strong moment in what was “a wildly inconsistent evening.”

The VMA show was broadcast on Sunday without a traditional host linking the various acts and presentations, but few critics seemed to lament the omission.

MTV said its pre-show, featuring red carpet arrivals and celebrity interviews, also fared well with audiences, drawing 7.3 million viewers — a 16 percent increase from last year. – Reuters

By Bob Tourtellotte, Reuters

08/29/2011 | 11:11 AM

LOS ANGELES – Pop star Lady Gaga opened the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday dressed in drag and singing her “You and I” while Britney Spears and Katy Perry took awards, but it may be Beyonce who stole the show.

The R&B singer whose hits include “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” appeared visibly pregnant as she showed up on the red carpet outside the show, posing for photographers and outlining a baby bump with her hands under her long gown.

Beyonce, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, avoided reporters waiting to ask whether she is pregnant. For years, her fans and the media have speculated whether and when the pair might have a baby.

Lady Gaga, who showed up last year at the MTV video awards in a dress made of raw meat, did an about face this year, opening the program in a man’s dark suit and T-shirt as her male alter ego, Joe Calderon, who gave the audience a lecture in just who Gaga is — high heels, wild hair and crazy costumes.

“When she gets on stage, she holds nothing back,” Calderon said.

Lady Gaga then launched into a version of “You and I,” backed by a group of dancers and legendary rock guitarist Brian May of Queen. She danced on her piano and spewed beer from a bottle into the air in celebration.

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) annually give out honors for the top music videos and performances to singers and bands, and each year, audiences can count on at least one surprise.

Beyonce’s picture-perfect baby news will likely be this year’s unexpected event.

Early winners

But awards are the focus of the night and the first winner was Spears for best pop music video “Till the World Ends.”

The pop star took the stage and seemed surprised, saying she hadn’t expected to win and thanking her family and fans.

Along with Spears, Foo Fighters picked up an early honor for best rock video with “Walk,” and Nicki Minaj picked up the “Moonman” winner’s statuette for her “Super Bass.” Katy Perry and Kanye West were named best collaboration with “E.T.”

Another major award still to come is best new artist, and Tyler, The Creator figures prominently in that race, too, alongside Wiz Khalifa with “Black and Yellow,” Kreayshawn for “Gucci Gucci,” Foster the People with “Pumped Up Kicks,” and Big Sean (featuring Chris Brown) for “My Last.”

British singer Adele with her chart-topping song “Rolling in the Deep” is vying for the top award, video of the year, against Katy Perry (“Firework”), Bruno Mars (“Grenade”), the Beastie Boys (“Make Some Noise”) and Tyler, The Creator (“Yonkers”).

Early performances included a duet by Jay-Z and Kanye West, singing a song from their new album, “Watch the Throne.”

Other singers still to come include Lil Wayne, and there will be special tributes to Britney Spears and late soul singer Amy Winehouse. – Reuters

By Bob Tourtellotte, Reuters

08/29/2011 | 11:11 AM

LOS ANGELES – Pop star Lady Gaga opened the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday dressed in drag and singing her “You and I” while Britney Spears and Katy Perry took awards, but it may be Beyonce who stole the show.

The R&B singer whose hits include “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” appeared visibly pregnant as she showed up on the red carpet outside the show, posing for photographers and outlining a baby bump with her hands under her long gown.

Beyonce, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, avoided reporters waiting to ask whether she is pregnant. For years, her fans and the media have speculated whether and when the pair might have a baby.

Lady Gaga, who showed up last year at the MTV video awards in a dress made of raw meat, did an about face this year, opening the program in a man’s dark suit and T-shirt as her male alter ego, Joe Calderon, who gave the audience a lecture in just who Gaga is — high heels, wild hair and crazy costumes.

“When she gets on stage, she holds nothing back,” Calderon said.

Lady Gaga then launched into a version of “You and I,” backed by a group of dancers and legendary rock guitarist Brian May of Queen. She danced on her piano and spewed beer from a bottle into the air in celebration.

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) annually give out honors for the top music videos and performances to singers and bands, and each year, audiences can count on at least one surprise.

Beyonce’s picture-perfect baby news will likely be this year’s unexpected event.

Early winners

But awards are the focus of the night and the first winner was Spears for best pop music video “Till the World Ends.”

The pop star took the stage and seemed surprised, saying she hadn’t expected to win and thanking her family and fans.

Along with Spears, Foo Fighters picked up an early honor for best rock video with “Walk,” and Nicki Minaj picked up the “Moonman” winner’s statuette for her “Super Bass.” Katy Perry and Kanye West were named best collaboration with “E.T.”

Another major award still to come is best new artist, and Tyler, The Creator figures prominently in that race, too, alongside Wiz Khalifa with “Black and Yellow,” Kreayshawn for “Gucci Gucci,” Foster the People with “Pumped Up Kicks,” and Big Sean (featuring Chris Brown) for “My Last.”

British singer Adele with her chart-topping song “Rolling in the Deep” is vying for the top award, video of the year, against Katy Perry (“Firework”), Bruno Mars (“Grenade”), the Beastie Boys (“Make Some Noise”) and Tyler, The Creator (“Yonkers”).

Early performances included a duet by Jay-Z and Kanye West, singing a song from their new album, “Watch the Throne.”

Other singers still to come include Lil Wayne, and there will be special tributes to Britney Spears and late soul singer Amy Winehouse. – Reuters

LOS ANGELES – R&B singer Beyonce let pictures tell the story of a baby on the way for her and rapper husband Jay-Z at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday.

She first appeared before photographers, telling them she had a surprise and outlining a baby bump under her long gown.

Then the singer, whose hits include “Beautiful Liar” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it), appeared onstage to perform her song “Love On Top,” telling the audience to stand up. “I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me,” she said.

At the end of her song, she took off her jacket, smiled broadly and rubbed her tummy. In the audience, her husband and rapper Jay-Z was congratulated by his friend and collaborator Kanye West and he gave Beyonce a big wave.

A spokeswoman for Beyonce was not immediately available for comment.

She and Jay-Z began dating in 2002 and were married in April 2008. For years, her many fans and the media have speculated about whether and when they might have a baby. – Reuters

LOS ANGELES – R&B singer Beyonce let pictures tell the story of a baby on the way for her and rapper husband Jay-Z at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday.

She first appeared before photographers, telling them she had a surprise and outlining a baby bump under her long gown.

Then the singer, whose hits include “Beautiful Liar” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it), appeared onstage to perform her song “Love On Top,” telling the audience to stand up. “I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside of me,” she said.

At the end of her song, she took off her jacket, smiled broadly and rubbed her tummy. In the audience, her husband and rapper Jay-Z was congratulated by his friend and collaborator Kanye West and he gave Beyonce a big wave.

A spokeswoman for Beyonce was not immediately available for comment.

She and Jay-Z began dating in 2002 and were married in April 2008. For years, her many fans and the media have speculated about whether and when they might have a baby. – Reuters