1989.09.15 - L.A. Weekly - L.A. Dee Da [MTV Awards]

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VIDEO STARS IN EARTH TAKEOVER BID: If we only went to one awards show all year — and in this business, that’s quite a fantasy — it might well be the MTV Video Awards, which kicked off another relentless season of awards shows last Wednesday night. Compared to most of these affairs, which are generally much less fun than you’d expect, the tented-over press area set up back-stage behind the Universal Amphitheater is kind of like a garden party, albeit a garden party you can’t leave even when you’re tired and sick of watching TV standing up. Yes, we watch the show on TV, just like all of you home viewers, except it’s a lot harder to concentrate on that small screen with all those pesky stars wandering about. Passing within chatting distance were the Cure, Madonna, MC Hammer (posing for pictures with Alice Cooper), both the Downtown and West Coast Julie Browns, and our new fave media celebrity, down-to-earth ex-PTL secretary Jessica Hahn, who was clad in Lip Service’s rather sacrilegious dagger print. They parade the performers and presenters past the press under harsh lights, where we’re allowed to examine them closely and ask any question we want in front of an audience. Any question.

After we spend about four hours milling around the press area, the next ordeal begins. Those of us without limos walk next-door to the enormous post-show party held on the Universal Studios Tour lot. This party’s so huge it’s hard to believe there’s anyone in town who’s not invited, and there’s so much food that the people barely even make a dent in it (no seafood this year, and rather heavy on the red meat, but it wouldn’t be the MTV Awards without that chocolate fondue).

When it got too chilly and we still couldn’t find Milli Vanilli, we moved over to the MTV-hosted after-after-party at a special installment of Riki Rachtman’s Cathouse, where tongues were wagging double-time about the MTV Awards altercation between Motley Crue singer Vince Neil and Guns N’ Roses guitarist Izzy.

FISTFIGHTS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS: From what we gather, Vince and Izzy’s differences stem from a much earlier incident at Cathouse in which Izzy stepped way out of line and fondled the crucial equipment of a curvaceous ex-mudwrestler who just happened to be Vince’s wife Sharise. She slapped him and then he pushed her, and when Vince heard about it he was fightin’ mad.
Nearly a year later, just as Izzy was leaving the stage after backing the Awards’ closing duet between band-mate Axl Rose and Tom Petty, Vince hauled off and slugged him right above the eye. GN’R security were on them immediately, and Vince got lost.

And this isn’t the sole feud in which the Crue are embroiled, either. They’re currently at odds with Bon Jovi, with whom they shared, until just weeks ago, manager Doc McGhee. Both bands were on the bill at the recent Moscow Music and Peace Festival, and had agreed not to use pyrotechnics in their acts — or so the Crue thought, until Bon Jovi unveiled theirs. Assuming their management had sold them down the river, the Crue’s Tommy Lee grabbed manager Doc McGhee and threw him up against a wall, and things just haven’t been the same since — which is why, the night before the MTV Awards, when home team Motley Crue (and wives, including Tommy Lee’s Dynasty wife, Heather Locklear) were in the (Cat)house, visitors Bon Jovi and their management were given specific instructions to stay away.

Though some of the band members have spoken since and vow that they won’t let the matter escalate into a “band feud” (ironically, just prior to the slugging incident Motley Crue had presented Guns N’ Roses with the award for best heavy metal video for “Sweet Child O’ Mine”), there was sparse turn-out at the MTV-hosted after-party at a special edition of Cathouse, what with no Bon Jovi, no Motley Crue, no Izzy and only Axl and GNR bassist Duff joining members of Def Leppard, Skid Row (whose singer Sebastian was busy turning on the charm for lovely Married: With Children co-star Christina Applegate) and Warrant. Just the night before, Cathouse had been packed with paying customers for “Wild West Night,” and Skid Row and Warrant had joined Bang Tango in judging the $300 cash-cowgirl contest. We just happened to be in the DJ booth the night before when Warrant vocalist Jani came in to request — you guessed it.

And speaking of feuds — is MTV VJ Adam Curry looking to start one with his soon-to-be-official Headbanger’s Ball replacement, Riki Rachtman? Adam seems none too pleased that Riki is already getting fan mail.