The best, weirdest, and most memorable moments from the MTV VMAs

Award shows, at least the televised ones, are about more than just handing out trophies. They are supposed to be entertaining, and they want to entice viewers and get them to stay tuned in. The MTV Video Music Awards have been chugging along for decades even though the music video has lost some of its luster over the years. The show, though, certainly has given us some memorable moments over that time. Here are some of those moments, the good, the bad, and the weird, that resonate across VMA history.

Madonna kisses Britney and Christina

Madonna was the queen of pop when she hit the scene, and she’s always been willing to change up her image to keep things from getting stale. She’s also never been shy about being provocative. That’s why it was not entirely shocking when Madonna and Britney Spears vigorously kissed on stage. People were buzzing over it for days. Madonna also kissed Christina Aguilera, but that was overshadowed by Madge and Britney’s makeout session.

Courtney Love crashes a Madonna interview

Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” performance may be what made the VMAs. It’s one of the first — perhaps the first — iconic moments. The image of Madonna wearing a wedding dress and writhing around onstage is an indelible moment from ‘80s MTV. She wasn’t called the Queen of Pop for no reason.