To peach their own. (Images via video stills)

The 2021 MTV VMAs were off to a bootylicious start when Madonna — following a sweet sort of updating of her “Happy Anniversary, Darling” spot for MTV (that was wishing the network a happy 1oth, this was wishing it a happy GULP 40th) — showed up in full Dita Parlo gear, turning around to helpfully provide a big ass to kiss for any of her haters.

SURPRISE! The #VMAs begin with an introduction from the one and only @Madonna pic.twitter.com/YmWtjabVJ7

— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) September 13, 2021

It was good TV, and probably great promo for her October 8 Madame X concert film on Paramount+.

Lil Nas X killed another live performance on a major awards show, arriving to save the somewhat boring MTV VMAs at the Barclays Center Sunday night.

I also loved that he was introduced by another Black gay man, Billy Porter:

Billy Porter introduced Lil Nas X and was serving looks! #vmas #LilNasX #MTVVMAs pic.twitter.com/aA504BYaQh

— GoreJust Goth (@gorejustgoth) September 13, 2021

my jaw? on the FLOOR. @LilNasX just KILLED it with @JackHarlow 🔥 #VMAs pic.twitter.com/Z54jXXP2E2

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 13, 2021

Also liked that the show welcomed back other '80s icons in honor of its anniversary, including Cyndi Lauper (demanding women's rights) and David Lee Roth. I actually wish they'd gone even further into it and gotten Janet Jackson and a host of others I'm thinking of. (Maybe Janet could close the show still, as it isn't over yet.)