[Jonfonn!]

MTV had been hoping to reinvent the Video Music Awards after poor reviews in recent years - and this year's ceremony has certainly succeeded in making headlines.

The show was moved to Las Vegas' Palms Casino, shortened from three hours to two, and the set-up was changed to focus more on performances than awards.

Top of the list was Britney's opening performance - far from being her long-hailed comeback, the pop princess looked out of shape and out of touch as she writhed around on stage.

Kicking off the VMAs with her new single, Gimme More, Britney looked bleary and unprepared, leaving her celebs supporters taken aback - 50 Cent looked at Brit with a confused expression, while P Diddy, her new best friend, was expressionless.

Thankfully, after her dismal start and a lukewarm intro by comedian Sarah Silverman, the show rebounded.

Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy and the Foo Fighters were each hosting four separate suite parties, where much of the show's performances would be held.

The SexyBack singer's suite was packed with revellers, alcohol and eight lingerie-clad stripper types on raised platforms.

And not far behind Britney in the attention-grabbing stakes came Pamela Anderson's exes Kid Rock and Tommy Lee. The blonde was presenting from the top of a table during the ceremony - but her two former hubbies were coming to blows.

Eye witnesses saw Pammy's most recent ex "deck" Motley Crue drummer Tommy - although the latter was apparently the instigator.

Palms Hotel and Casino public relations representative Larry Fink confirmed the incident, and the VMA presenters milked the bust-up for all it was worth, with Jamie Foxx mock pleading: "Stop all this white-on-white violence."

The awards themselves seemed almost tame by comparison - Justin Timberlake was one of the night's big winners, winning in four categories, while Rihanna picked up two awards for her summer hit Umbrella.

But it wasn't such a good night for the Brits - Amy Winehouse missed out on awards for both Female Artist of The Year, Video of The Year, and Best New Artist, while Lily Allen also lost out on the gong for new artist.