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Yes to Britney, maybe to Michael on MTV Video Music Awards

04.09.2008 21:02 Arts - Source: cbc.ca

Britney Spears's performance at last year's MTV Video Music Awards was a ratings winner. She'll open the 2008 awards on Sunday. (Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

Britney Spears's appearance on the MTV Video Music Awards last year may have been a train wreck, but that hasn't stopped the network from inviting her back.

MTV announced Wednesday that Spears will again kick off the music video awards show, scheduled for Sunday.

It will be something "fun and unexpected," rather than a dance performance, said network president Van Toffler.

Toffler even hinted that another troubled star might make an appearance — Michael Jackson.

"We've been talking to him as well, I don't know if that's going to happen," he said. "People fall in and fall out up until the day of the show."

So far, confirmed performers for Sunday's show include the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, T.I. and Kid Rock.

Spears's painful performance of Gimme More at the awards ceremony last year was just part of a disastrous year for the pop princess.

Still, she was a ratings winner for the network — the number of viewers was up 23 per cent over the 2006 show.

But with her personal life still overshadowing her career, what's in it for Spears?

"MTV has long played an important role in my career. How can I not be there to kick off their 25th VMAs? I'm excited to open the entire show, to say hi to my fans and to be nominated," Spears said in a statement.

Spears is nominated for three VMAs, including video of the year, for Piece of Me.

With files from the Associated Press

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