Britney Spears’ much talked-about comeback at the MTV Video Music Awards show on Sunday has left viewers confused, frustrated and displeased.

The pop singer was meant to open the event and set the partying mood for all present and watching from their homes. There had been reports in the media that she would perform her new single “Gimme More” and rumors that illusionist Criss Angell would help her make a memorable entrance.

VMA executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic even promised the 25-year-old would “captivate everyone” and be her usual, exciting former self. “You can expect the things we want and expect from Britney, that will all be there … She'll be dancing, performing, doing her thing. That's exactly what we all want,” he said.

While on stage Sunday night at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas however, Britney did not appear to be well. Dressed in sequined black underpants and bra, uncomfortable-looking black boots, somewhat disheveled, in pretty good physical shape, she seemed to have difficulties following her own backing track.

She moved around the stage, did some unsynchronized lip-synching and generally looked confused. What was wrong?

Past performances at the VMAs certainly gave fans a thrill. Remember Britney dancing with a snake during her 2001 performance of “Slave 4 You?” Or the naughty, naughty kiss she and Madonna had in 2003? Remember Britney’s confident, sexy dance moves and her provocative yet tasteful outfits?

Perhaps she was not ready for Sunday’s event, not ready to expose herself like this yet. Too much has happened lately – she is only 25, she has two toddlers, no husband. She’s been to rehab and she is in a custody feud with her former spouse. Isn’t that enough for one person?

Comedienne Sarah Silverman was probably the first to publicly criticize Britney after her failed performance. “She is amazing. She is 25 years old and has already accomplished everything she is going to accomplish in her life,” Silverman mercilessly said.

The show went on however. Justin Timberlake was the champion of the VMAs, as he won Quadruple Threat of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. It’s been a good, winning weekend for Justin, who also won a Creative Arts Emmy together with comedian Andy Samberg Saturday for an SNL spoof they starred in last December.

Justin also rubbed off on the glory of two of his videos receiving kudos for directing and choreography. Samuel Bayer was named Best Director for “What Goes Around ... Comes Around” and Marty Kudelka won Best Choreography for “Let Me Talk to You/My Love.”

Rihanna won Video of the Year for “Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z, as well as Monster Single of the Year, while Beyonce and Shakira won Most Earth-shattering Collaboration, for “Beautiful Liar.”

Female Artist of the Year went to Fergie, while Gym Class Heroes won Best New Artist.

Other artists performing at this year’s edition of the VMAs were the Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Common, Maroon 5, Fall Out Boy and Rihanna, among others. Kid Rock and Tommy Lee Jones, both former husbands of Pamela Anderson’s, even got into a little fight. What fun.

Too bad about Britney’s performance. Yet Sarah Silverman took it too far when she called the troubled singer’s sons “the most adorable mistakes you’ll ever see.”