A tribute to Jackson, a 2nd speech for Swift at VMAs

NEW YORK — Planned and random acts of kindness reigned at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night.

Among the planned acts: Janet Jackson's opening tribute to her brother Michael, whose death at age 50 on June 25 rocked the music world.

The production began with Madonna recalling her encounter with Michael and reminding the audience that "Michael Jackson was a hero." And while "he seemed otherworldly," she added, "he was also a human being."

And then, the performance began. Dancers crept up on stage with original Thrillervideo airing in the background. The dancers' moves duplicated the ones being performed on the video.

Then a sequence of Michael's hits played. Bad and Smooth Criminal led to Scream, his duet with Janet, who broke through glass to make her way onstage and sing along with the video. The loud, almost angry performance had the audience on its feet.

After the tribute, Madonna said backstage that "it was good to finally get to say my piece."

And then near the end of the show, in a gracious act of kindness, video-of-the-year winner Beyoncé offered young country music star Taylor Swift a second chance to say her piece with an acceptance speech.

The moment came after Kanye West took everyone by surprise early in the show when he went onstage to interrupt Swift's acceptance speech for best female video for You Belong With Me.

West grabbed the microphone from Swift and said to her "Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but," and West then declared that Beyoncé, who had also been listed as a nominee in the category for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), "had one of the best videos of all time." Camera shots showed both women looking startled. Swift was then hurried off the stage without finishing her speech.

The teen country star returned for her live performance of You Belong With Me later in the show.

Celebrities reacted backstage.

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong said, "Well, you know, she's young, I think she'll get over it. I think he needs to get it over it also. It was very uncomfortable sitting there."

"I feel bad for Taylor," said Kristin Cavallari. "I think it was really disrespectful."

After the show, Kanye West apologized on his blog for the outburst: "I'M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM. I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD'VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED!"

Other music-related news items had guests talking at the awards show, too. American Idol's Kara DioGuardi was asked about her new colleague at the judges' table, Ellen DeGeneres. "I feel fantastic. I feel ecstatic. I can't wait for January, when we can all be on the panel."

DioGuardi added that she has been in touch with former judge Paula Abdul. "I've spoken to her, and she seems to be doing really well, and that's what matters." Abdul is set to play host at the VH1 Divas special on MTV's sister network on Thursday night (9 ET/PT).

Faye Dunaway had two divas she was looking forward to seeing on Sunday at the VMAs. "Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. How could you not love Beyoncé?" Dunaway asked.

Ne-Yo echoed Dunaway's sentiment. When asked who he was rooting for, he replied, "Besides myself?" and then added, "I'm here to see Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Pink, everyone. I'm here just to enjoy the electricity."

And the atmosphere was electric, with returning host Russell Brand doling out his brash brand of humor. Among the stars: Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Eminem, Jermaine Jackson, Katy Perry, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.