Date: 7.23.01
Source: MTV

Who would have thought the hottest thing at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards would be Christopher Walken?

MTV also revealed that U2 and Alicia Keys are the first acts confirmed to perform at the 18th annual awards show, set for September 6 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

"Weapon of Choice" leads the way with nine nods, recapturing a bit of the magic that Jonze and Slim found with their 1999 clip for "Praise You," which won three Video Music Awards (see Lauryn Hill, Fatboy Slim, Ricky Martin, Korn Lead VMA Pack"). The latest Fatboy/Jonze production grabbed nominations for Video of the Year, Best Dance Video and Breakthrough Video, as well as nods in each of the VMAs' six "professional" categories (including Best Direction and Best Special Effects).

Backstreet Boys were nominated for two VMA's this year on for Best Pop video and one for Viewers choice.

Elliott, 'NSYNC, and the "Lady Marmalade" gang picked up six nominations apiece. Elliott's walk in the oddball jungle, "Get Ur Freak On," is up for Best Female Video and Best Direction, among others. Aguilera, Mya, Pink, and Lil' Kim count nominations for Best Dance Video, Best Pop Video and Best Video From a Movie among their stash of six. 'NSYNC's shiny, shimmering clip for "Pop" will compete in categories including Best Group Video, Best Dance Video and Best Pop Video.

Eve's video will duke it out for Best Female Video, Best Hip-Hop Video and Viewer's Choice. Aerosmith, Nelly and Robbie Williams also grabbed three nominations apiece, while Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, the Backstreet Boys, R.E.M., Linkin Park, Outkast, Gorillaz and Limp Bizkit each picked up two.

The battle for Best New Artist will feature Coldplay, Nikka Costa, David Gray, Alicia Keys and token noisemakers Sum41.

While such fringe MTV artists as Gorillaz and Robbie Williams grabbed multiple nominations, some of the channel's staples — Britney Spears, Staind, DMX, Jay-Z and Weezer — must content themselves with only one.

A host for the awards show is expected to be named soon, along with presenters and additional performers.

For more on the awards, visit the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards Home Page.

—Robert Mancini