MTV VMAs best moments of all time

Practically anything goes at the MTV Video Music Awards. With each passing year, there's always something outrageous that goes down at this awards show. From Fartman to Miley Cyrus' headline-making performance with Robin Thicke, we look back at some of the most memorable moments of the VMAs.

In this image, Madonna poses on Sept. 14, 1984 at New York's Radio City Music Hall -- during the first-ever VMAs, where she was up for best new artist in a video for "Borderline." Madonna performed "Like a Virgin" wearing a bustier/wedding gown, including her trademark "Boy Toy" belt. The sexy number found Madonna emerging from a 17-foot wedding cake and rolling around on the floor in a performance that helped put this budding pop star on the map.

By the way, the best new artist Moonman that year went to the Eurythmics for "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)."

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Fartman

At the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, shock jock Howard Stern exposed his butt cheeks in a $10,000, gold Spandex superhero costume. Stern descended from the ceiling as "Fartman" and simulated a gigantic release of gas that sparked an onstage explosion. of sorts. Here, an an unidentified fan from the audience squeezes Stern's bare bottom.

Surprise lip-lock

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley kissed onstage at Radio City Music Hall in New York, on Sept. 8, 1994, after opening the 11th annual VMAs. The then-married couple surprised viewers with their lip-lock. "Nobody thought this would last," Jackson said before planting a kiss on Presley.

Reunion

It's a reunion! For the first time in 10 years, former Van Halen bandmates David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen, right, reunited onstage. The embrace took place at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York on Sept. 4, 1996. Bandmates Michael Anthony, left, and Alex Van Halen were also there.

Go with yourself ...

In this image, Elton John presented Fiona Apple with the best new artist in a video honor during the MTV Video Music Awards at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 4, 1997. But the most memorable moment came during Apple's acceptance speech when she said, "This world is bulls***. You shouldn't model your life on what we think is cool, and what we're wearing and what we're saying and everything. Go with yourself."

A single pastie

At the 1999 VMAs Diana Ross just went for it. When Lil Kim arrived onstage at the podium wearing only a shiny shell pastie over one breast, Ross reached over and grabbed it.

Make-out session

Yowzers! Madonna and Britney Spears shared a hot, and might we add unforgettable, kiss at the MTV VMAs on Aug. 28, 2003. Turns out the make-out was planned. Van Toffler, an executive at MTV was on vacation when he got a call from the show's director. "And she said, 'Van, you're not going to believe this. They're rehearsing now. They're all together. And Madonna actually kissed Britney on the lips.'"

And another ...

The Britney-Madonna smooch wasn't the only kiss that year. The "Material Girl" and Christina Aguilera also smooched during the same performance.

Wet and wild

At the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards in Miami, Kelly Clarkson went barefoot as she performed her hit anthem "Since U Been Gone" as 3,000 gallons of water soaked the crowd.

It's Britney ...

In 2007, Britney Spears took the stage in a much hyped "comeback" performance at the VMAs, held that year in Las Vegas. But the performance was far from extraordinary. The pop star looked confused. She barely danced, and her lip-syncing was completely off. Really, she appeared to be sleepwalking through the entire routine.

Interruption

Back in 2009 -- before she was really on top of the world -- Taylor Swift hit the VMAs stage to accept best female video for "You Belong with Me." But surprise! Out comes Kanye West to take the microphone from the country/pop starlet. He ambushed her acceptance speech to say the Moonman should have gone to Beyonce's "Single Ladies," which he called "one of the best videos of all time."

Meat dress

Lady Gaga has always kept things interesting with her wardrobe choices. But she really outdid herself at the 2010 VMAs when she showed up in a dress made of meat.

Baby bump

Beyonce announced her pregnancy to the world on Aug. 28, 2011 when she showed up to the VMAs red carpet with a baby bump. Soon afterwards, the R&B/pop songstress and rapper Jay Z welcomed daughter Blue Ivy.

"Blurred Lines"

Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus performed at the MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn, New York, on Aug. 25, 2013 -- and we're still scratching our heads about this one. Their headline-making performance went viral and had people talking for days. Heck, let's say weeks. Later, the twerking pop star said she felt that they had made history with the risque performance of their respective hits, "We Can't Stop" and "Blurred Lines."