Britney Spears Gets Into Russell Brand's Head in VMAs Commercial

Last year Britney Spears, British comic Russell Brand and the, uh, elephant in the room starred in a series of amusing ads for MTV's Video Music Awards. This year two of the three promise to return — Brand as host, Spears as seven-time nominee — and the pair are appearing in a cheeky non-West Side Story-themed promo advertising the September 13th event. Britney's even in a bikini, but not the same one she wore to read David Letterman's Top 10 List.

But will Britney perform and bring us a new Britastic VMA moment? Rob Sheffield wants to know, and so do we. Until we get confirmation as to whether the Circus star will step into the center of the ring at New York's Radio City Music Hall, let's look back at last year's big show in photos. And if you're still baffled as to who exactly Russell Brand is, you'll want to read our feature on the potty-mouthed host.

Then, watch all of Britney's videos — with commentary — in our Complete Video Guide.

• 
  MUSIC The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments
• 
  MOVIES & TV 'Game of Thrones': The Show Vs. the Books
• 
  POLITICS Matt Taibbi: Facebook IPO vs. Shareholders
• 
  VIDEOS Exclusive: Garbage Rip Through 'I Think I'm Paranoid'

Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter