Once upon a time, way back when, the MTV Video Music Awards were about what music video was the best, artistically and musically.

Good artists won and the performances were something to watch. It was worth plopping down on the couch with your friends for a night, instead of doing homework or going out to the bars.

This was the time when Madonna crawled around the stage in a wedding dress, singing “Like a Virgin,” shocking many. In tonight’s VMAs, Britney and Christina kissed Madonna, perhaps in an effort to shock people, as Madonna did in the ’80s. Shock is nothing anymore, unless you’re 50 Cent and got shot nine times, or Eminem and hate your mother.

I can say, without shame or guilt, the VMAs were boring. They were a big mix of disgusting plugs for new CDs and movies, endless thank-yous to people no one knows, and performances I could’ve done without watching.

To say the White Stripes, All-American Rejects or Johnny Cash deserved the awards they were up for would be to say I know everything about music. I don’t and never have. Perhaps Justin Timberlake deserved best male rock video above the wonderful and revered Johnny Cash. Perhaps he didn’t. He certainly spent more money and has shinier clothes. But then again, at least he commended Johnny, but he still took the award home.

Once upon a time, way back when, the MTV Video Music Awards meant something.

Now, genres mix so much that Good Charlotte, Linkin Park and the White Stripes were listed under the same category. I highly doubt a pop-punk band, a metal band and a garage rock band think they sound anything alike.

How can anything be the best video out of a sea of artists that are talented and hard-working?

Remember in high school when you voted for “Most Likely to Succeed”?

The VMAs are a good example of a type of award that’s become everything it was never meant to be. They’ve become a who spent the most money and a popularity contest.

They used to be worthy of three hours of my Thursday night. “Friends,” “Will and Grace,” and the slew of pointless but amusing sitcoms could be put aside for the VMAs.

For weeks to come, MTV will try to convince viewers to see the VMAs time and time again. They’ll analyze the clothes, the history, the winners.

Is that worth another three hours of your life?

Probably not.