MTV’s Video Music Awards are touching down in Los Angeles on Sunday, one day before the Primetime Emmy Awards. MTV isn’t exactly known for quiet or subtle promo—and why should they be? We thought we’d celebrate #TBT with this look at four awesome promos from VMAs past.

When LA Law Met Motley Crue

Corbin Bernsen! Andrew Dice Clay! Jasmine Guy! Motley Crue! The 1989 promo featured everything a child of the 1980s would want to see in an awards show.

When Russell Met Britney in 2008.

Just one year after her infamous VMAs performance meltdown, Britney Spears and host Russell Brand appeared in a promo with a live elephant behind them, a nod to the “Elephant in the Room.”

Michael Jackson Tribute in 2009

“A tribute like no other, for a performer like no other” was the tag line for the tribute performance to the recently deceased King of Pop. His iconic glove was incorporated in a big way into this promo.

Justin Bieber’s Road to the VMAs in 2010.

It was only four short years ago that Justin Bieber was a seemingly innocent Tweenybopper. My, how time flies.

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