Edd’s MANtra: Everybody Hates Kanye

You know, when Kanye West totally embarrassed black folks during the MTV Video Music Awards, I was pretty sure that the whole thing was staged.

Think about it: the fiasco happened pretty early in the broadcast, which gave viewers and bloggers time to spread word about the foolishness (which would boost ratings); Beyonce gave Taylor Swift her moment at the end of the show (giving us a “happy ending” and helping to put Swift’s name in the headlines); and MTV isn’t above staging “shocking events” (like when the guy from Borat put his crotch in Eminem’s face).

Hey, I’m a journalist. I was born skeptical.

I might have to change my stance, though. Kanye apologized on the premier of “The Jay Leno Show” last night and he seemed pretty sincere. For Kanye, anyway:

“I deal with hurt and, you know, so many, you know, celebrities, they never take the time off, and I’ve never taken the time off to really, you know, I just, music after music and tour after tour on tour, and I’m just ashamed that my hurt caused someone else’s hurt.”

Prior to that apology, though, celebrities were pissed. Don’t be too hard on them. It’s easy to hate on a man with a haircut like that.

Let’s see what they had to say:

Pink, who allegedly had to be held back from going upside Kanye’s head, wrote on Twitter:

“Kanye West is the biggest piece of s*** on earth. Quote me. My heart goes out to Taylor Swift. She is a sweet and talented girl and deserved her moment.”

50 Cent:

“I wish he would come take one of my awards so I can black his eye.”

Adam Lambert, one of those American Idol guys:

“Kanye needs to chill. He freaks out every year. It ain’t that deep man.”

Katy Perry on Twitter:

“F*** U Kanye. It’s like u stepped on a kitten.”

Kelly Clarkson, on her blog:

“I’ve seen you do some pretty s***ty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, a**hole ways. It’s absolutely fascinating how much I don’t like you. I like everyone. I even like my a**hole ex that cheated on me over you… which is pretty odd since I don’t even personally know you…The best part of this evening is that you weren’t even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really??”

Joe Jackson, who is an expert on poor taste:

“I don’t know what he was doing, he jumped up on stage and snatched that microphone out of that poor girl’s hand. They should blackball him out of show business for that. He just leapt up there, that was bad.”

And the most hilarious of them all, President Obama, who was being interviewed for CNBC:

During the interview, ABC News reporter Terry Moran tweeted, “Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a “jacka**” for his outburst at the VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT’S presidential.”

Needless to say, that tweet was removed since it occurred during an “off the record” moment. Speak your mind, prez!