The train wreck comeback heard round the world... (Photo: MTV)
Photo: MTV

The 2007 VMAs opened with baited breath. For days the world had been weak-kneed with anticipation over Britney Spears' big comeback performance. Would she be cool or crazy? Hot or haggard. It was all anybody could think about. Whether or not she delivered is up to the critics. All we know for sure is that Britney Spears is one unforgettable opening act. In fact, our only concern is that she would overshadow everything that came after. Luckily our bag of tricks was particularly plump that night.

MTV took over the Palms Hotel and Casino, from parking lot to penthouse, and turned it into Pleasure Island. Fantasy suites hosted by the likes of Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy and Kanye West. Between the five of them, they had VIP guests swinging from the chandeliers with live fantasy duets featuring Common, Soulja Boy, T.I., Petey Pablo, 50 Cent, Rihanna, Gym Class Heroes, Panic At The Disco, Cobra Starship, Serj Tankian, Cee-Lo, Queens Of The Stone Age, Mastodon, Eagles Of Death Metal and Lemmy from Motorhead. OK. Take a deep breath. There's a whole lot more.

Meanwhile, downstairs on the mainstage, an award presentation by Pamela Anderson led to a mid-floor fistfight between Kid Rock and Tommy Lee. Timbaland and Mark Ronson provided a stirring soundtrack for their tussle. But the real performances came from Chris Brown and Rihanna, who did a medley of "Wall To Wall," "Umbrella," "Billie Jean" and "Kiss Kiss." Next up was Linkin Park who scorched the stage with "Bleed It Out." Alicia Keys picked up the pieces, seducing Las Vegas with a medley of "No One" and "Freedom." To close it out, Timbaland invited Nelly Furtado, Keri Hilson and Justin Timberlake to the stage. The four of them grooved through "Do It," "The Way I Are," "LoveStoned" and "Give It To Me" before the curtain fell. Super intense.

But don't forget that this was an award show! Video of the Year went to Rihanna and Jay-Z for "Umbrella," as did Monster Single. Other winners included Gym Class Heroes, Fergie, Fall Out Boy, Gnarls Barkley and Beyoncé, but the night belonged to Justin Timberlake. Backstreet Boy Wonder took Male Artist Of The Year, Quadruple Threat, Best Director (Samuel Bayer, "What Goes Around...Comes Around") and Best Choreography ("My Love" feat. T.I.), launching a thousand "Sexy Back" wordplays in newspaper headlines around the world.

And after all that... Las Vegas was never the same again.

Click Here to watch videos from the 2007 VMA's

Click Here to for photo highlights from the 2007 VMA's