MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Final 2011 MMVA Guide, Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts

Features, Interviews, News, Top Story, Video

TORONTO – The live media experience at the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards was exactly what the event looked like on television and in the crowd… a frenzied state of affairs with activity happening almost everywhere.

Covering them was an all-consuming affair and it was undoubtedly the largest spectacle that I have ever witnessed in-person.

For our American readers, the Muchmusic Video Awards are the equivalent of the MTV Video Music Awards. In some respects, they are even bigger because the MMVAs highlight both Canadian and American music stars instead of just a prevalent focus on one.

The red carpet that took place prior to Sunday’s show kicking off was overwhelming. An entire street had been blocked off and barricaded and turned into a luxurious red carpet for the stars in attendance and the media covering them.

Being the world’s foremost television expert, I was the most interested in talking to Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars), Trevor Donovan (formerly of 90210), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory) and the castmembers from The Vampire Diaries, including Kat Graham, Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder. I wanted to ask Shay about Ian on the show. I was ready to quiz Trevor about what was next for him now that Teddy is not returning to 90210. How did Leonard feel about Raj hooking up with Penny? I couldn’t wait to ask Johnny Galecki. And, if anyone tells you that they did not take up journalism to talk to women like Kat Graham and Nina Dobrev, they are lying. While it didn’t happen, sometimes the stars just want to get to the show and their after-parties. And who can blame them?

Also, in a carpet atmosphere it is truly a difficult job managing so many different aspects. Making sure you have the right camera angle while being ready at a moment’s notice for whoever walks by you as you are also trying to wrangle celebrities to come and talk to you can be difficult but exhilarating at the same time. While the TV personalities made a barely-there appearance, I did get to talk to so many great artists including Mia Martinez, Aleesia, the Candy Coated Killahz, The Midway State, Marianas Trench, P. Reign, The New Cities, the cast of Degrassi, and Simple Plan

After the carpet, the media room itself was an even more daunting state of affairs as the show went on while nominees, presenters and performers all came in to field questions at the same time. It was fantastic flurry and I loved every second.

Here are some other live notes from the evening:

– Pretty much every fan that I saw scrambling to take photos on the red carpet was wearing some kind of Justin Bieber paraphernalia. In fact, I almost felt out of place without a Belieber headband (guess there’s always next year).

– The popularity of The Vampire Diaries cannot be understated as I initially thought that it just had a fringe appeal.

– Ben Mulroney fixed my tie seconds before he assumed his hosting duties on the Red Carpet special. I mean how cool is that?

– Sitting just a couple of feet away from Lady Gaga was definitely a highlight. For all of the turquoise hair and peacock-colored outfits, she is very well spoken and most importantly, quite humble about her success. I spent a few weeks preparing for what I would ask her if I was given one question and it would have been ‘is there any line that cannot be crossed in a performance?’ Pulitzer? Thy name is Murtz… maybe next year anyway.

– David Guetta is hysterical. He’s almost like a cartoon character disguised as one of the best producers in music today.

– Getting to see Howie D. from the Backstreet Boys so that close was surreal. He was there with Neverest (the first band he has signed to his label).

– Screaming kids makes interviewing difficult but I think it actually made me stronger.

– I honestly believe I was the best dressed. #Fact.

And with that, the 2011 MuchMurtzik Video Murtzik Awards draw to a close. It was a great experience and one that we can now relive online!

Here are links to everything:

Murtz On The Scene: 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards Review – Gaga Dominates MMVA’s

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews The Midway State On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews P. Reign On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews Degrassi Cast On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews Candy Coated Killahz On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews The New Cities On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews Marianas Trench On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews Mia Martina On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews Aleesia On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Murtz Interviews Simple Plan On MMVA Red Carpet

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries) Press Conference

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries) Press Conference

MMVAs 2011: Murtz On The Scene – Lady Gaga Press Conference

Murtz Jaffer is the world's foremost reality television expert and was the host of Reality Obsessed which aired on the TVTropolis and Global Reality Channels in Canada. He has professional writing experience at the Toronto Sun, National Post, TV Guide Canada, TOROMagazine.com and was a former producer at Entertainment Tonight Canada. He was also the editor at Weekendtrips.com.