Nominations for a majority of the categories were announced on the MTV program FNMTV after being selected through viewer online voting at MTV.com.

Although ratings improved, this year's video music awards was hosted at its smallest venue of its 25-year history.

Britney Spears – "Piece of Me" Linkin Park – "Shadow of the Day" Lil Wayne (featuring Static Major) – "Lollipop" The Pussycat Dolls – "When I Grow Up" Erykah Badu – "Honey" (Directors: Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto) Gnarls Barkley – "Run" (Choreographer: Michael Rooney) Kanye West (featuring T-Pain) – "Good Life" (Special Effects: SoMe, Jonas & François) Gnarls Barkley – "Run" (Art Directors: Happy Massee and Kells Jesse) Death Cab for Cutie – "I Will Possess Your Heart" (Editors: Aaron Stewart-Ahn and Jeff Buchanan) The White Stripes – "Conquest" (Director of Photography: Wyatt Troll) The Ting Tings – "Shut Up and Let Me Go" [6] DJ AM and Travis Barker performed small interludes consisting of remixes of past hits throughout the show, as well as teaming up with Katy Perry, The Ting Tings and Lupe Fiasco to perform their own singles and MTV classics from the past 25 years.

One of host Brand's jokes during the night centered around purity rings, specifically those worn by the Jonas Brothers.

In repeat airings all references to John McCain and George W. Bush were removed from Russell Brand's opening monologue.