Viewers of the MTV Video Music Awards have called on organizers to “pull the plug” after the ceremony was marred by a string of problems.
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, this year’s VMAs returned to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday night.
Taylor Swift, Lisa Rinna and Adam Lambert were among the high-profile stars who appeared on the red carpet.
However, even with live performances from Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter and Shaboozey, the annual MTV event appeared to struggle to generate its usual excitement.
A number of former fans took to X to criticize the “boring” broadcast, with some questioning whether the awards show has a future.
“Getting the feeling this might be the last VMAs,” one viewer posted.
Another wrote: “There’s no shame in bowing out gracefully. Gotta read the room.”
“I thought it was just me, this sh** is boring,” a third viewer said, while another added: “Honestly the VMAs have felt like a funeral for years.”
Viewers have urged MTV to cancel the Video Music Awards after the ceremony was hit by a series of issues
“We say this every single year. Honestly just pull the plug,” another critic posted.
One frustrated viewer addressed MTV directly, asking simply: “What was that?”
Problems emerged from the very beginning of this year’s VMAs broadcast.
Fans who tuned in expecting to see the show’s iconic opening were left angry when the network was instead airing the Cowboys vs Ravens NFL game.
“Hold tight, the 2026 #VMAs will take off after the football game finishes. Live, coming up on CBS and streaming on Paramount+!” the official VMAs X account announced, prompting a wave of frustration from viewers.
The awards show finally began on the network at approximately 7.50pm, around 20 minutes behind schedule. By then, the opening performance had ended and the first award had already been presented.
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Several major names from the music industry also missed the ceremony altogether, including Ariana Grande, Zara Larsson, Olivia Rodrigo and Lady Gaga, among others.
Madonna’s comeback performance also drew criticism. Viewers described the set as “utterly unfocused,” while some accused her of lip-syncing and expressed concern that she appeared to be struggling for breath onstage.
Zara Larsson was among the major music stars who did not attend the VMAs
Olivia Rodrigo (left) and Ariana Grande (right) were also absent from this year’s MTV Video Music Awards
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Later, the 68-year-old star sensationally forgot what award she was on stage to accept from Charli XCX and Troye Sivan.
‘What is this for, again?’ she quipped after winning Best Dance for Confessions II – The Film, before Charli XCX opened the announcement card to jog her memory.
She then bizarrely announced how she had a laser ‘stuck’ up her posterior before leaving the stage in bizarre scenes.
Additionally, there were also several categories excluded from this year’s telecast – including for Song of the Year.
This also sparked outrage on social media as one fan mocked: ‘Excluding awards from an award show?’
Another added: ‘Why didn’t they include Song of the Year??? SH**TY AWARD SHOW.’
The MTV Video Music Awards have been running for 42 years since their inception in 1984.
It has produced some iconic moments over the years, from Madonna’s famous on-stage kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in 2003 to Lady Gaga’s meat dress in 2010.
