LAS VEGAS (AP):

As in most train wrecks, it was hard to focus on just one thing as the Britney Spears disaster unfolded. There was just so much that went wrong.

Out-of-synch lip-synching. Lethargic movements that seemed choreographed by a dance instructor for a nursing home. The paunch in place of Spears' once-taut belly. At times she just stopped singing altogether, as if even she knew nothing could save her performance.

Designed to drum up excitement for her upcoming album, Spears' kick-off to the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night became another example of how far she has fallen. It would have been understandable if MTV's show had been crushed under the weight of the opening fiasco yet somehow it rebounded, and even flourished.

The show banked heavily on its own reinvention. After poor reviews and a decline in ratings over the last few years, MTV moved the show to Las Vegas, shortened it from three hours to two, went to a hostless format and focused more on performances than awards.

Talented line-up of hosts

Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy and the Foo Fighters hosted separate suite parties where most of the performances took place.

But the performance most people will be talking about was Spears'. And unlike her last VMA appearance, when she locked lips with Madonna in 2003, this time it will be for all the wrong reasons.

"It definitely could have been a lot better," the hitmaking singer and producer Akon commented afterward. "She seemed nervous ... you could tell by the expression on her face. Instead of just blocking everybody out and doing her thing, you could tell she was thinking about it."

After that, though, the changes to the show worked, leading to several exciting performances and some watercolour drama. An off-camera fight between Pamela Anderson exes Kid Rock and Tommy Lee led Jamie Foxx to quip: "Stop all this white-on-white violence."

Timberlake's suite was flooded with revellers, alcohol and eight lingerie-clad stripper types on raised platforms. Before Timberlake accepted the Quadruple Threat of the Year award at his suite, the DJ summoned the partygoers to watch the monitor and go crazy if Timberlake won. He did, they did, and Timberlake said: "I want to challenge MTV to play more videos!" Then he was whisked away by bodyguards and disappeared.

Timberlake was the night's big winner, with four trophies. Rihanna won the coveted Video of the Year award, plus Monster Single of the Year for Umbrella. The Best Group was Fallout Boy, and Gym Class Heroes won Best New Artist.

Beyoncé and Shakira won Most Earth-shattering Collaboration for Beautiful Liar. Beyoncé's shimmering gold dress barely contained her top; immediately after she picked up her trophy she asked an assistant backstage to help fix her dress, apparently to prevent a wardrobe malfunction.

Winners of the VMAs

Video of the Year: Rihanna, Umbrella, featuring Jay-Z

Male Artiste of the Year: Justin Timberlake

Female Artiste of the Year: Fergie

Quadruple Threat of the Year: Justin Timberlake

Best Group: Fallout Boy, This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race

Monster Single of the Year: Rihanna, Umbrella

Most Earth-shattering Collaboration: Beyoncé and Shakira, Beautiful Liar

Best Editing: Ken Mowe for Gnarls Barkley's Smiley Faces

Best Director: Samuel Bayer for Justin Timberlake's What Goes Around ... Comes Around.

Best Choreography: Marty Kudelka for Justin Timberlake's Let Me Talk to You/My Love

Best New Artiste: Gym Class Heroes

Beyoncé walks on stage to accept the VMA award for Most Earth-shattering Collaboration for the song 'Beautiful Liar', which she recorded with Shakira (not pictured). - REUTERS

50 Cent (right) and Kanye West face off before they present an award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Justin Timberlake (left) and Timbaland. - AP photos