In the midst of last night's awesome televised Beyoncé concert—technically known as MTV's Video Music Awards—there was a pause to acknowledge recent events in Ferguson, Mo.

When Lady Gaga opened the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards with a monologue/performance as her male alter ego Jo Calderone, the reaction was generally positive. It was a bit bizarre, sure, but we've come to expect that from Gaga. Plus, it was something new!

The 2011 MTV Video Music Awards just kicked off with an angry anti-Lady Gaga monologue by... Lady Gaga, dressed as male alter ego Jo Calderone. Gaga/Calderone followed up the monologue with a performance of "You and I," excerpts of which—including reaction shots from Britney Spears and Justin Bieber—you'll find above.

Come one, come all, and join us as we watch the 2011 MTV Music Video Awards! The black carpet pre-show special is airing right now, and the actual VMAs will begin live at 9:00 PM ET. Here's your open forum.

Kanye West visited Ellen today to talk about his upcoming music video film, "Runaway." When DeGeneres asked him to explain the thinking behind his Taylor Swift interruption, West blamed alcohol, culture warring (is he Bill O'Reilly?), and more! Watch inside.

[Rapper Nicki Minaj readies herself for internet meme status posing for press photographers backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards. Lady Gaga won best video, and young songwriter Kanye West performed some kind of a "rap." Pic via AP.]

I can't even begin to explain how odd—and, yes, pathetic—this was. I can't! Here's Taylor Swift performing at the VMAs with a ridiculous song she wrote about Kanye West's interruption of her during last year's show. Video inside.

The 2010 MTV VMAs are currently underway (live chat here), and they opened with a bang, as host Chelsea Handler was accosted by a cameo-making Lindsay Lohan in a bit that spoofed Lohan's recent troubles. Video of the intro, inside.

Come one, come all, and join us as we live blog the 2010 MTV Music Video Awards! The white carpet special starts at 8:00 PM ET and the show itself begins at 9:00. Inside, more information and your open thread.

Gucci has a new fragrance, Guilty, and Frank Miller directed a promotional short for it—starring Evan Rachel Wood and Chris Evans—that'll premiere during the 2010 VMAs. The weird part: there's a trailer out. A trailer. For a commercial.

To help generate further internet excitement and mainstream media buzz, tween superstar Miley Cyrus and potential one hit wonder Katy Perry air kissed their way down the red carpet at the VMAs on Sunday afternoon. Cyrus' mother, Tricia, made sure that she oversaw the air kissing and light hand holding. Mrs. Cyrus said, "I'm just here to make sure she doesn't run into that Ronson chick or get too buck wild. She's already had two Rock Stars, I think that's where it's going to stop today. "