Waiting for OK Go: MTV Awards' Existential Moment

We almost want to whisper to Jared Leto, the actor and frontman of 30 Seconds to Mars, as he whisks by, "Lighten up on the eyeliner."

We overhear that the post-VMA party to be at is at nearby Roseland Ballroom, where Timberlake, who skipped the red carpet, will give a private concert.

Needless to say, more than a few hundred non-boldface names tried to get into the show. With two of her gal pals, 16-year-old Taylor Kieslich waited outside MTV's offices in Times Square in the early afternoon to score a free ticket. No luck. She went home.

Streets around Radio City Music Hall were closed off, and a throng of cameras crowded the headquarters of MTV News, where Suchin Pak, the Katie Couric of MTV, got to ask the Big Questions. Had we been with Pak when the winner for best female video was announced -- Kelly Clarkson won for "Because of You" -- we would have asked: Did you see how shocked Christina Aguilera looked?

About 2,000 viewers and music insiders selected the nominees for this year's categories, and last night's VMA marked the first time that viewers were able to vote for all the awards. That's good and dandy -- if you trust the aesthetic values of MTV's core audience.

Beyonce, with Slim Thug & Bun B, won for best R&B video. Shakira took the choreography trophy for "Hips Don't Lie," with Wyclef Jean. The Pussycat Dolls won for best dance video.

A.F.I. won best rock video and the Black Eyed Peas took home best hip hop video. In accepting that award, rapper-producer will.i.am thanked the folks at Blackeyedpeas.com.

But the group that stole the show wasn't up for any awards. Andy Ross, the guitarist for OK Go, didn't care who won the Moon Men. Backstage, still sweating minutes after the performance, he tells us: "Hopefully we'll be nominated for something next year."