Britney Gets Non-Ironic 'VMA' Nod

PopEater / AP

NEW YORK (Aug. 15) - Apparently giving a network one of the worst performances to ever grace live television (but drumming up massive publicity in the process) is rewarded in these 'American Idol,' exploiting-terrible-for-ratings days. MTV is paying Britney Spears back for her 'Video Music Awards' debacle last year by throwing her a Video of the Year nomination this time around for 'Piece of Me.'

'Piece' had fun with her reputation as a tabloid queen. Other nominees included the Jonas Brothers for "Burnin Up," Chris Brown for "Forever," the Pussycat Dolls for "When I Grow Up" and newcomers The Ting Tings for "Shut Up and Let Me Go."

Other nominees announced Friday - Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Slipknot, Linkin Park and Foo Fighters - were in the category of best rock video.

This is Spears third nomination for this year's VMAs; earlier, fans nominated her for best pop video and best female video, both for "Piece of Me."

Spears' nominations are ironic considering the neither the song nor the album from which it came, "Blackout," were significant hits; both were released amid Spears' spectacular public decline over the past year, and her performance at last year's VMAs in Las Vegas represented one of the lowlights of her fall from grace. She was universally ridiculed for her unkempt look and sloppy performance, which kicked off the VMAs and instantly became one of pop's classic moments.

Britney in Action

Will Sean Preston and Jayden James follow their mother's life in the spotlight? "Id just as soon they have a more normal childhood," she tells OK!

In recent months, though, Spears has been on an upswing. Since her father James took over her personal and professional affairs after being appointed by a court as her conservator, her erratic behavior has virtually stopped; she settled her custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline over their two sons; and made appearances on CBS' "How I Met Your Mother," which were critical and ratings successes.

There's a possibility she get a chance to redeem last year's bad performance at this year's VMAs, to be held Sept. 7 in Los Angeles; MTV has confirmed they are in talks to have Spears appear in some capacity, and she's appearing in two video ads to promote the show.

Russell Brand has been selected to host this year's VMAs, which is to include performances from Kid Rock, Lil Wayne and the Jonas Brothers. Other nominees include Kanye West, Jordin Sparks, Madonna, Rihanna and Katy Perry.