Rihanna, Timberlake, big winners at MTV Video Music Awards

Teenage R&B star Rihanna and pop sensation Justin Timberlake were the big winners at the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday, in a star-studded evening that saw Britney Spears make her stage comeback.

Rihanna picked up the most-sought-after Video of the Year award and Monster Single of the Year for her "Umbrella," notably beating R&B starlet Beyonce, Timberlake, rapper Kanye West, British soul singer Amy Winehouse.

"Wow. Video of the Year. This was definitely the most important one for me of the night ... the most unexpected for me," Rihanna said, accepting the top Moonman, as the astronaut-themed statuettes are known.

Timberlake, whose "What Goes Around ... Comes Around" reached number one in the US charts earlier this year, picked up the Male Artist of the Year award.

"It's just exciting to see a new generation of artists really doing it and doing it well," he said. "I think music is in a great place right now because we're all doing what we want to do. So thank you for this award MTV."

Despite not even being nominated for an award, all eyes had been on Britney Spears ahead of the 24th annual MTV Video Music Awards, being held this year at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

The pop princess looked visibly out of shape as she opened the evening, appearing on stage at a major event for the first time in three years, since when she has had two children and gone through a string of personal problems.

The pop diva marked her comeback with "Gimme More" from her upcoming fifth album, set for release in November.

Opening with the line "It's Britney, Bitch," Spears performed in a dark sequined bikini and below the knee black boots and ended her performance perhaps appropriately with the lyric: "I just want more."

Other notable appearances of the evening were a risque introduction by comedian Sarah Silverman and performances by Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Foo Fighters, Timberlake and Kanye West.

Underground Chicago foursome Fall Out Boy picked up the Best Group Award, as expected, beating alternative metal fivesome Linkin Park, modern rockers Maroon 5, indie/hip-hop band Gym Class Heroes and Detroit rock duo The White Stripes.

"We know that a lot of people tune into these awards to see who's wearing underwear, who's not, who's going to be a train wreck, but we want to thank all the people who are real fans of music out there," the band's Pete Wentz said.

British newcomer Amy Winehouse had been tipped for the Best New Artist Award, but lost out to New York crossover band Gym Class Heroes.

Winehouse, most recently in the news for canceling a string of US and European gigs for health reasons as she reportedly tries to beat a serious drink and drug problem, was up for three gongs but failed to score.

She had been due to perform on Sunday but canceled last month.

It was also a disappointing night for Beyonce, who was nominated for seven awards but had to settle with Most Earthshattering Collaboration, which she shared with Colombian-born pop singer Shakira.

Black Eyed Peas vocalist Fergie picked up the Female Artist of the Year but failed to show up to accept the award.

The organizers had shaken up this year's ceremony with a number of new awards, hoping to win back viewers after seeing numbers slump in recent years.

Perhaps the most unusual new award was the Quadruple Threat of the Year Award, in recognition of artists' work off stage. The award went to Timberlake, who has a number of restaurants and a clothing line.

Started in 1984, the MTV awards were originally launched to challenge the more traditional Grammy awards.

Among the more controversial episodes during that time, Madonna kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera live on stage during the 2003 show.

MTV goes both ways with new dating show

Bisexual hook-up show will feature 16 straight men, 16 lesbians vying for MySpace star Tila Tequila's heart.

The nonstop limbo contest that is reality television has a new leader, as MTV has once again lowered the bar with its latest project. According to TVWeek.com, the one-time music television has greenlighted a new dating show in the style of The Bachelorette with a twist--this young lady bats from both sides of the plate, so to speak.

In the 10-episode show, contestants will try to win the heart (and more) of MySpace pseudo-lebrity Tila Tequila (real name Tila Nguyen), who is openly bisexual. The pint-sized Vietnamese model will have 16 straight men and 16 lesbians to choose from, and, in the tried-and-true vein of other reality dating shows, will eliminate the competition down each week.

A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila is scheduled to premiere on MTV on October 9. According to TVWeek.com, Ms. Tequila and the contestants will move into a mansion and live together where the sure-to-be-shocking antics will be recorded on camera. Each episode "will culminate in a dramatic ceremony unlike anything you've ever seen before."

Tila Tequila is most famous for having the most friends on her MySpace profile, which as of press time stood at over 2,000,000. She has modeled for several magazines, including Playboy and has found a home in the import tuner racing scene. She was also host of Fuse TV's own entrant in the reality limbo contest, Pants-Off Dance-Off and recently had a guest spot on The War at Home.

Justin Timberlake, Beyonce top MTV Video Music Awards nominations

Justin Timberlake and Beyonce lead the pop parade of nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards with seven nods apiece, it was announced Tuesday.

Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" was nominated for video of the year, as was Timberlake's ambitiously cinematic "What Goes Around ... Comes Around," which co-starred Scarlett Johansson. Also competing in the category are Amy Winehouse's "Rehab," Kanye West's "Stronger," Rihanna's "Umbrella" (featuring Jay-Z) and Justice's "D.A.N.C.E."

Timberlake was also nominated for male artist of the year and "most earth shattering collaboration" for pairing with Timbaland for "Sexy Back." Beyonce was nominated for female artist of the year and for her collaboration with Shakira on "Beautiful Liar."

West landed five nominations, including male artist of the year. He has often appeared prickly about losing awards, and on Tuesday he was still sore over being snubbed last year for his Evel Knievel spoof video "Touch the Sky." (In 2005, he did win best male video for "Jesus Walks.")

"I come to win. I don't come to lose," West told MTV Tuesday on "TRL," where the awards were announced. "I think there's some really strong competition this year."

Rihanna also received five nominations, propelled by her hit single, "Umbrella," which is up for "monster single of the year."

Also nominated for male artist of the year was Akon, T.I. and Robin Thicke. Rounding out the nominees for female artist of the year were Fergie and Nelly Furtado.

Amy Winehouse, whose album "Back to Black" was her second disc but her first released in the U.S., was nominated for best new artist. She received three nods, including female artist of the year. In the best new artist category, Winehouse will compete with her compatriot Lily Allen, as well as Carrie Underwood, Gym Class Heroes and Peter Bjorn & John.

Up for best group are Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Linkin Park, Maroon 5 and the White Stripes.

The 24th annual VMAs will be handed out during a live two-hour show on Sept. 9 in Las Vegas at the Palms Hotel and Casino. Only eight categories will be awarded on the broadcast. Performers will include Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Amy Winehouse, Chris Brown, the Foo Fighters and Rihanna.

Timbaland will serve as "maestro" for the night, booking the show's acts.

"By me being maestro," said Timbaland, "I am the show."