One More Time: Britney returns to MTV VMAs

Really, all Britney Spears needed to do was show up to the MTV Video Music Awards without stumbling and her appearance would've been considered a rousing success.

She did more than that, including opening the show without a hitch and picking up her first Moonmen.

Britney won best female video and best pop video, each for ``Piece of Me,'' keeping her thank-yous short and lucid on both
occasions. Still, just being there was enough for a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd long before she opened her mouth to get things rolling.

“Thank you so much,'' she said flatly. ``Thank you for all the love.''

Maybe the audience was simply excited to see a glimpse of Britney looking fab once again. The rebounding pop queen wore a short silver mini-dress with a plunging neckline, showcasing her svelte figure. It was a far cry from last year, when her dishelveled, bumbling kickoff was widely panned as one of the worst in VMA history (the freewheeling show celebrates 25 years this year). But Britney was merely on hand this time to give a perfunctory introduction of Rihanna's opening song.

Moments later, Britney won her very first VMA. “I first wanna thank God for blessing me like this,'' Britney said, then left the stage quickly, though she still had a shot at two other awards, including video of the year. Though she only spent a few seconds onstage at the top of the show, Britney did provide a few laughs during a pre-taped comedic segment with ``Superbad'' actor Jonah Hill.

There were a few more laughs during comedian Russell Brand's opening monologue, but the celeb audience seemed more nervous than amused, as the frenetic Brit took aim at Madonna, the virginity of teen sensations the Jonas Brothers and President George W. Bush, whom he called ``a retarded cowboy fellow.''

He clearly got under the skin of one celebrity, however, with his jokes about promise rings, which the Jonas Brothers wear to signify their virginity. Another famous promise ring wearer, Jordin Sparks, said before giving out one award: “I just wanna say, it's not bad to wear a promise ring because not every guy and a girl wants to be a slut, OK?'' she quipped.