Rock to Host MTV VMAs
By Simon Applebaum -- Multichannel News, 6/25/2003 9:19:00 AM
MTV: Music Television can sure smell what the Rock -- first name Chris -- is cooking.
Comedian/actor/writer-director Chris Rock will host MTV's 2003 Video Music Awards Aug. 28, marking the 20th anniversary of cable's first big annual honors special.
Just like the first VMAs in 1984, MTV will do the show from Radio City Music Hall in New York. Award nominees, presenters and performers will be named over the coming two months.
Rock's first VMAs host run four years ago drew raves, as well as one memorable monologue line over superstar Jennifer Lopez coming to the show (then at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center, also in New York) in two limousines -- one for herself and the other for her posterior.
His prepared statement about returning in 2003: "Can't wait to do it."
"Chris Rock's opening monologue just about got the both of us taken out by J. Lo's bodyguards, so we unquestionably invited him back, and why not?" added MTV/MTV2 president Van Toffler in his own prepared remark.
MTV has signed six sponsors for VMA 2003: Taco Bell Corp., PepsiCo Inc., Levi Strauss and Co., Revlon Inc., Procter & Gamble Co. and Motorola Inc./Cingular Wireless.
Also, MTV will partner with New York's host committee for the first time to develop special promotions and events surrounding the VMAs, which continues to be one of cable's highest-rated annual specials.
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