Kanye-gate: Winners and Losers
Is our short national semi-nightmare over?
Last night, barely twenty-four hours after Kanye West got all up in Taylor Swift's glory business by bum-rushing the stage in order to promote little known singer Beyonce, the producer/singer/newly-crowned Most Hated Man In America made a previously-scheduled appearance on the debut episode of The Jay Leno Show. How's that for media synergy?
Kanye was there to aid in JAY-Z's musical perf; that Leno got Kanye The Day After was pure luck (unless you're a conspiracy theorist about the whole VMAs thing, which we kinda are). Of course, Jay sat Kanye down for a stern talking-to. Topics discussed: the degree to which Kanye was sorry, and also Kanye's late mother. Seriously.
One thing's for sure: Kanye and Jay both look silly in those big chairs. And this just in: Yahoo is reporting that Kanye called Taylor to apologize, and she accepted. Phew.
So who are the winners and losers in this whole mess? Glad you asked.
KANYE WEST: Loser
Sure Kanye has been the biggest name on Google, Twitter and everywhere else for the past two days, and yes, people already thought he was a d-bag, but has it been worth it? If you believe Kanye and any other powers that be had this planned, you've still gotta think that in no way was the visceral negative reaction foreseen. Kanye's career could be facing some serious repercussions, even with a supporting backlash to the backlash.
TAYLOR SWIFT: Winner
Hell hath no fury like a viewing public seeing a sweet lil' girl wronged. All Taylor wanted to do was be gracious and thank MTV for providing her, a country singer, with a little Moon Man statue. Next thing you know, big, bad Kanye's up there stealing her spotlight, declaring Beyonce a robbed artist, and generally throwing some major diss at Swift. Later, when Video Of The Year winner Beyonce allowed Swift airtime so she could finish her speech, Swift thanked her little brother's high school for allowing the video to be shot there. Are you kidding me? Taking the time to thank her little brother's school? Taylor Swift has just ensured a lifelong, successful career.
Of course, if it turns out this was staged, and Swift was in on it... whoa.
BEYONCE: Winner
First, she was just a poor person dragged involuntarily into a mess she didn't cause (except, that is, by making a video Kanye thought to be the best of the decade). Later, she was a benevolent queen, graciously allowing the victimized Swift precious VMA seconds. And at the evening's end, she danced and sang along to her husband's show-closing performance. Good night all around for 'Ce.
MTV: Winner
Everyone's talking about MTV, and MTV has no cred to lose even if this thing turns out to have been staged. It's all about the benjamins.
JAY LENO: Loser
Kanye's appearance was a good excuse for everyone to tune in to his show (which they did, in big numbers). Unfortunately, everyone got to see that Jay's new show is a tired and unfunny retread of his old show. And bringing up Kanye's dead mother in order to shame him? Pretty low move, Jay.
Lil Mama: Loser
Lil Mama bumrushed JAY-Z and Alicia Keys' performance of "Empire State Of Mind," but no one cared, including JAY-Z.
And finally, expect way more of these: DIY remakes of Taylor Swift songs that diss Kanye. The lyrics to this fan-made remake (via Lefsetz), titled "You Don't Belong On MTV," are sometimes true (Swift DOES wear cool boots, Kanye DOES have bad hair) and sometimes false (Kanye is most definitely NOT a 'no-talent hack'). Anyway, watch away, and bring earplugs—the levels are in the red on this one.
