It was an intense and exciting Sunday evening as the "2009 Video Music Awards" took over New York City, causing quite a stir with Kanye West's outburst, Madonna's surprise appearance, Janet Jackson's tribute performance to her brother Michael and the cast of 'Twilight''s big reveal of their extended 'New Moon' trailer.

Madonna opened the awards show, paying tribute to the late Michael Jackson. "He was a king, but he was also a human being. ... Long live the king," she said of the King of Pop.

Following her words, dancers made their way to the stage to perform to Michael's acclaimed song "Thriller." Janet Jackson followed that performance up with her own tribute, singing the song "Scream," a duet she recorded with her brother.

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Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC