MTV’s Video Music Awards: A History of Insanity

The pretty young things honored may come and go, but you can always count on MTV's Video Music Awards to spotlight stars at their most outrageous. Here, reminisce over Britney Spears, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Eminem and others at their craziest courtesy Slate’s partnership with LIFE.com.

Kanye West Hijacks Taylor Swift’s Speech: 2009

The rapper, who has been photographed swigging from a bottle of Hennessy all night, crashes Taylor Swift's acceptance speech (she'd won best female video) to suggest that Beyoncé should have won for "Single Ladies." Both Swift and Beyoncé appear stunned, and the audience boos West for the rest of the night. (Eventually, he's asked to leave.) The next day, near tears, West apologizes on Jay Leno's show and takes a self-imposed leave from the spotlight.
Photograph by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Lady Gaga Bleeds for Her Art: 2009

The eccentric artist's wild performance of "Paparazzi" begins with her lying on the ground next to a fallen chandelier ... and ends with fake blood streaming down her top.
Photograph by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Girl on Girl on Girl: 2003

What a way to open the show: Madonna references her "Like a Virgin" romp from the first VMAs, but this time she's the groom and Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera play the sexy brides. In arguably the steamiest moment in VMA history, Madonna shares open-mouth kisses with both young pop stars.
Credit: Photograph by Dave Hogan/Getty Images.
Eminem vs. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog: 2002

When equal-opportunity-insulter Triumph (alter ego comedian Robert Smigel) approaches Eminem to ask about his beef with Moby, the rapper gives Triumph the hand and his friends ludicrously stare the puppet down. The rapper comes off as humorless, and he makes matters worse when he threatens Moby while accepting the Moonman for best male video ("I will hit a man with glasses"). Years later, after a reconciliation, Triumph appears in Eminem's "Ass Like That" video.
Photograph by J. Shearer/WireImage.
Britney and the Python: 2001

Spears pushes the envelope again, performing her new single "I'm a Slave 4 U" in a jeweled bikini and with an albino Burmese python wrapped around her shoulders. PETA protests.

Related: The Best Style Ever a the VMAs at LIFE.com
Photograph by KMazur/WireImage.
Reach Out and Touch: 1999

Helping present the award for best hip-hop video, the legendary Diana Ross seems both horrified and fascinated by Lil' Kim's racy outfit. She famously jiggles Kim's exposed breast.
Credit: Photograph by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty Images.
Courtney Love’s Antics: 1995

At the '95 VMAs, Love fronts her band Hole in one of their first big performances since the suicide of Love's husband Kurt Cobain. But she also stumbles around the carpet, rolls around on the ground, and boldly interrupts an interview MTV's Kurt Loder is conducting with Madonna. "Courtney Love is in dire need of attention right now," Madonna says, seemingly unamused. "She's throwing her compact at me."
Photograph by Ron Galella/WireImage.
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jackson: 1994

The crowd goes wild when unlikely newlyweds Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley walk out hand in hand. "And just think, nobody thought this would last," Jackson says, before pulling in his bride for one of history's most awkward kisses.
Photograph by AFP/Getty Images.
Madonna Gives the Censors a Heart Attack: 1984

At the very first Video Music Awards, Madonna performs her hit "Like a Virgin" in a lace wedding gown, writhing around suggestively on the floor. Pictured: the self-proclaimed "Boy Toy" backstage.
Photograph by David McGough/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images.
See how Pee Wee Herman inspired a standing ovation, the most awkward kiss ever and other memorable moments in the full gallery at LIFE.com. Also check out crazy VMA fashion moments here.

Photograph by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty Images.