MTV, a Stern and Punative Father Figure?

Because we simply don't get talk about Britney Spears nearly enough on these pages:

MTV has been hyping Britney Spears' opening performance at tonight's Video Music Awards to the hilt, but if a New York Daily News report is to be believed, they're not above pulling the plug on the whole thing if she doesn't shape up:

Sources told the Daily News that MTV has already lectured Spears to behave in Las Vegas or risk her spot in the lineup.

"Britney knows she's on thin ice. When they agreed to the performance, they sat her down and told her she should not be going out, and instead focus on rehearsing and resting," an insider said. "She seemed to be thankful and appreciative for the chance, but who knows with her? MTV made it clear that her usual behavior will not be tolerated."

Weren't the MTV Music Video Awards at one point celebrated for the kinds of spontaneous moments that offer an unfiltered glimpse into the libidinous depths of the Rock Star ego? This reeks of the meticulous choreographing that sucks the life out of musical performances and exposes the performer as being a hack buttressed only by a chorus line of back-up dancers and some nifty pyrotechnics.

More importantly, where are these music video that are scheduled to be awarded? I haven't seen a music video on MTV since c. 1998. Not that anyone needs to actually make a video any more to win an award.