Huge Ratings! Successful Show?

The MTV video music awards aired on Sunday, September 12th to huge ratings! Approximately 11.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the award show hosted by Chelsea Handler.

Even though the VMAs pulled in the largest audience on the network since 2002 does that equate to the show's success? What did viewers think of the show?

Host Chelsea Handler received mixed reviews, many thought her jokes fell flat and were expecting more from the VMAs first female host since Rosanne Barr in 1994. The New York Times pointed out that Handler looked uncomfortable and was nervous the entire broadcast and considered her the "worst in the show's history."

The VMAs are about more than the host, what about the musical performances?

Some of the best performances of the night included Usher who performed "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and "OMG" along with Florence and the Machine who performed her song "Dog Days Are Over". Rihanna also surprised viewers when she performed with rapper Eminem during "Love the Way You Lie." Although these performances were all entertaining, viewers were disappointed by the amount of lip-syncing by these musical artists.

MTV kept the show interactive, they encouraged viewers to tweet about the show and monitored a "twitter tracker" during the award show. Topics they were tracking were #vmas, #ladygaga, #jerseyshore, #kanyewest, among others.

On paper it seemed that MTV was going to bring in one of the best VMAs; a great host, entertaining performances and even the use of social media allowing MTV's publics to communicate with the network. Why did the show seem to fall flat according to viewers? MTV still has a chance to impress viewers in time for the 2011 VMAs!

For the success of the 2011 Video Music Awards and all future VMAs, MTV should consider conducting a longitudinal study of past MTV award shows. What has worked best to bring in high ratings AND satisfy viewers over the past 26 years? Maybe we shouldn't give up on the female host just yet, what about Tina Fey and/or Amy Poehler who are favorites amongst MTV's audience. How about opening the show with a more exciting performance that pumps up the audience and at home viewers. Just a few tweaks could lead to a better MTV Video Music Award show!

If you missed this years VMAs...check them out here!