Video Music Awards 'Gimme' a Break

The train wreck was televised last night as Britney Spears made her comeback during MTV's Video Music Awards in Las Vegas.

While there were no nipple slips or crotch shots in her opening act, the troubled pop tart still gave viewers something to talk about: her uninspired performance of her new single "Gimme More."

The mother of two appeared out of sync and bored as she and her backup dancers performed tepid choreography ripped from the "Cell Block Tango" scene in the sexy musical "Chicago."

Bedford, N.H.-raised comic Sarah Silverman didn't hold back on her caustic comments following Britney's highly anticipated performance.

"She's 25 years old and she's already accomplished everything she is going to in life," said the "Jesus is Magic" star, quickly adding that Britney's sons Sean Preston and Jayden are "the most adorable mistakes you have ever seen."

Silverman's monologue was the most shocking part of the night.

During the two-hour show, only seven awards were given out. Winners included Rihanna for video of the year and master single of the year. Justin Timberlake won male artist of the year and the quadruple threat award for acting, dancing and singing. Other victors included Fall Out Boy, Beyonce and Shakira (for best collaboration), and Gym Class Rejects.

In his two brief acceptance speeches, Timberlake raised a valid point: "We don't want to see the Simpsons (Jessica and Ashley) on reality TV. Play more videos."

The VMAs lost their edge long ago - try 1984, when the video genre was still fresh and Madonna put the censors in a frenzy with her blush-worthy performance of "Like A Virgin."

The young performers paid ode to those who won MTV's coveted moon man before them.

Chris Brown, in the middle of an otherwise horrendous performance, paused to show off vintage Michael Jackson moves from the "Billy Jean" era, and Alicia Keys, who is always a class act, performed a medley which included snippets of Stevie Wonder and the George Michael song "Freedom."

But clearly the VMAs were more about advertising The Palms hotel and casino, home to MTV's most infamous season of "The Real World."