Awards shows aren't exactly notorious for the quality of their dialogue, and the American Video Awards were no exception. Taped April 3 in L.A. for syndicated broadcast in late April or early May, the AVA's struggle for respectability also wasn't helped much by the fact that many of the winners in major categories failed to attend: Prince, Huey Lewis and the News, Wham! -- chosen Best New Video Artist -- and Michael Jackson.
Cyndi Lauper, who did show up, won in six of her seven nominated categories -- almost half of the 15 AVAs up for grabs. Her "Time after Time" won four awards, including Best Pop Video and Best Female Performance.
Lauper thanked the press for its support of her uniqueness and acknowledged that "Time after Time" was one of her most heartfelt compositions. "I've lived that experienced," she said. "It's amazing when you have everything you own in a duffel bag and then you come to this point when you're collecting all these awards. How important is my look to my success? I don't know. I like the clothes I wear. It's very important to me that I look like myself."
Lauper's multiple win seemed all but inevitable, but Weird Al Yankovic's victory in the Best Male Performance category for "Eat It" -- over Bruce Springsteen, who was nominated for "Born in the U.S.A." and "Dancing in the Dark" -- was something of an upset. "It feels swell," said Weird Al. "I think Bruce is at home crying right now -- and I feel bad -- but that's life."
Prince's award for Best Soul Video ("When Doves Cry") was accepted by Apollonia Kotero. "Prince is working this evening, viciously doing what he does best," said Apollonia, "so what can I say?" Discussing her upcoming projects, she admitted to "a few heavy-duties, but that's a secret, baby."
-- by John T.D. Keyes