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Michael Jackson, desperate enough to risk the show-biz plague of overexposure, tries to revive his faltering career at 8 tonight by 'wootenbw',1 performing live on MTV's 12th annual "Video Music Awards."
The three-hour special from Radio City Music Hall, with withering put-down specialist Dennis Miller (is he getting a little old for this?) as host, also features live performances by Green Day, R.E.M., Bon Jovi, Red Hot Chili Peppers, TLC, White Zombie, Live and South Carolina Gamecock fans Hootie & the Blowfish.
Listed under "special guest appearances" on MTV's bill: Janet Jackson, Madonna, George Clooney, Bryan Adams, Boys II Men, Ricki Lake, Whitney Houston, Patrick Swayze, Quentin Tarantino, Seal, Grant Hill and Kevin Bacon.
But it's the once (and future?) "King of Pop" who will draw most of the stares, though sadly the appeal of his increasingly weird act has deteriorated into a bit of a freak show. "Scream," his joint effort with sister Janet, is up for Best Video of the Year against "Basket Case" (Green Day), "Waterfalls" (TLC) and my pick, "Buddy Holly" (Weezer), an inspired, harmonious romp that places the group at Arnold's in a scene from "Happy Days."
And if the specter of Jackson's continuing decline doesn't draw you to this telecast, perhaps the "All-Star Jerry Garcia Tribute Jam" will.
"Truckin' " with Bon Jovi?
Critical opportunity
"The Critic" (Jim Voigt), one-third of the morning team (with Atom
Taler...