MTV Generation

I seriously debated on whether or not to jump on the band wagon and blog about Miley Cyrus's performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. I probably thought too long about it and am now out of fashion, but I have something to say. It may not be the popular opinion, but I have rarely been the popular type.

Let's take a step back and think about what network the "incident" occurred on. This was on MTV during their infamous VMAs. How soon we forget that ten short years ago a 21 year old Britney Spears and 22 year old Christina Aguilera locked lips with a 45 year old Madonna. But that must be okay because Madonna was already inducted into the VMA's shocking performers club in 1984 writhing to her new song, Like a Virgin. And Madonna hasn't been the only trendsetter. We can't forget Little Kim's purple pastie which tempted Diana Ross to jiggle her breast. I laughed right along with the rest of the nation. Or Lady Gaga's meat dress and Howard Stern's bare booty when he presented an award as Fart Man. Let us not forget Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech. And Pee Wee Herman made his first public appearance after being arrested for indecent exposure at the 1991 VMAs. Who didn't cheer him on? My point is, this isn't our MTV anymore.

We've come to expect risque performances from certain people. Lady Gaga, Madonna and P!nk come to mind. These three ladies are known for making their own way and for putting on very large, daring and sexy stage shows. They frequently sell out their venues and work extremely hard at what they do. P!nk, in particular, is now juggling a young family while she works and I have nothing but respect for that. So why is what they do so different from Miley Cyrus? Is it because we didn't really get to know them until they were adults? Probably. Our sweet Hannah Montana has grown up and we need to accept that.

That being said, are we more shocked at who it was? Or are we more shocked at what it was?

Miley has spent a lot of time and energy the last few years trying to separate herself from her Disney image. So are we really that surprised she would do something parents would deem shocking on MTV? Personally, I wasn't shocked or appalled or disappointed in her at all. She was putting on a show. And she was in good company. Did I understand why she pulled out a foam finger? Not really. But do I care. Not really. Am I concerned for her future? No. The bottom line is, she's not my kid. And if she was, she had better support me when I'm old and feeble. We have all been twenty years old, yearning to prove we are strong and capable. We have all done things that others don't approve of. We just didn't have the opportunity of doing it in the public arena. On the plus side, in another year she'll be old enough to kiss Madonna.

As for the backlash I've read about Robin Thicke, let it go. It was a VMA performance. As far as I can see, he wasn't planning on going home with Miley after the show was over. I don't think he was grinding against her with any real effort. I have seen more X rated dancing in high school dances than I have from him. He pretty much just stood there and let her do the work. I just hope he leaves his wife more satisfied.

My kids didn't watch the VMAs. They know that Miley is no longer Hannah Montana and they're okay with that. I don't believe in holding on to this illusion that the people we see on television are never going to grow up and change. My girls have all of Miley's CDs. They have all of Hannah's CDs. And do you know what? I have all of Madonna's, Lady Gaga's and P!ink's CDs, too. And we love them!