NEW YORK, Aug 30, 2003 / FW/ --- We've heard of stolen kisses, but two kisses stealing a show? Madonna might be the first one.

In the opening act of the 20th VMA at Radio City Music Hall, the three pop divas - Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Madonna gave a nod to 20 years of the Video Music Awards history in a suprise performance.

The act started with Madonna's daughter Lola along with her friend Honour, walking onto the stage dressed as flower girls at a wedding.

Suddenly, pop sensations Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera emerged dressed in wedding gowns from a wedding cake, reminiscent of the one Madonna danced on during her 1984 VMA performance, and singing and dancing to "Like a Virgin" just like Madonna did during her original rendition.

Madonna then materialized out of the cake, this time dressed as the groom. The trio then moved into Madonna's current hit, "Hollywood," and were joined by hip hop performer Missy Elliott.

Complete with the white bustier 'virginal' outfits for the two reigning teen-age divas, with Madonna wearing all black, it was a good stage performance by itself.

That is until the 45-year old and mother of two, decided to give open-mouthed kisses to the two younger girls.

Shock tactics? Maybe... A way for Madonna to please the audience and garner publicity? Maybe...

But you have to agree, Madonna has not lost her touch. The Material Girl who is well known for reinventing herself several times over might have traded her Jean-Paul Gaultier bustier to the Gap's khaki and denim continues to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to live performances.

And the publicity that the 'kisses' garnered is immeasurable. By the time the U.S. woke up Friday night, newspapers around the country had the photo of the kisses plastered all over the place.

Radio DJs on the morning shows were discussing it from coast to coast. TV stations played clips from the show on their newscast.

Even websites from Yahoo to MSN, including FashionWindows carried the story. What's next? Jay Leno and David Letterman making a monologue from it?

Opinions varies about the 'kisses', from being 'staged' to 'Madonna could have shock the audience 19 years ago without help from anyone.'

It is good that it happened though. MTV cannot buy the publicity that the stage antic has garnered. Once again, MTV fans who had 'grown up' is once again talking about it.

For those of us who remembers when MTV first started, the station truly showed a lot of music videos. Those days are gone though. The network is so busy with their primetime programming that music videos have taken a second seat.

Even the show host Chris Rock commented, "MTV? They don't show a lot of videos anyway."

So, maybe, Madonna being back on stage at MTV is a sign that the network will go back to its roots. After all, it was Madonna and the likes of Duran Duran who brought the station to fame for the youth market.

Two generations had passed since the inception of MTV. And another one is coming its way. Will Madonna's kisses bring back MTV to its roots?

The free flowing ideas, and 'anything goes' attitude which the first generation of MTV viewers loved may once again be available to the internet generation.

Missy Elliot accepting her Best Video of the Year Award

Justin Timberlake accepting one of his three moonman trophies

Beyonce performing upside down, 50 ft on the air.