B.C. rock band Hedley was the big winner at Sunday's MuchMusic Video Awards while Rihanna's monster hit "Umbrella" was named most watched video on MuchMusic.com -- an apt honour considering fans and celebrities alike frequently ducked for cover during the torrential downpours that plagued the event.
Hedley, whose lead singer, Jacob Hoggard, placed third on "Canadian Idol" four years ago, won best video and best director for their song "For The Nights I Can't Remember" and best cinematography and best rock video for "She's So Sorry."
"This is probably the only rock 'n roll recognition we're ever going to get," a giddy Hoggard told the cheering crowd as he and his band members picked up the best rock video award.
The big draws of the night were the recently reunited New Kids on the Block -- the former 1990s boy band that might better be described now as Aging Men on the Block -- and Rihanna, who also won best international video artist for "Don't Stop The Music." The pop star thanked her Canadian fans for her awards.
Both the Kids and Rihanna performed, as did Simple Plan, Girlicious and JabbaWockeeZ. Presenters included a noticeably slimmed-down Perez Hilton, the celebrity gossip blogger, former Spice Girl Melanie C, "The Office" star Rainn Wilson, reality show heartthrob Brody Jenner and "Gossip Girl" star Chace Crawford.
The Kids, dressed in white suits, were off-key at times, doing a medley of their hits while busting out some decidedly tame dance moves to close the show.
"We want to thank MuchMusic for letting us be here after all these years," Donnie Wahlberg told the crowd before they launched into their new single, "Summertime."
The wild-party vibe at the annual event usually overshadows the actual announcements of the winners. Hedley once flashed the crowd, as did Avril Lavigne, and Tori Spelling took public aim at her Canadian husband's cuckolded ex-wife at the MMVAs one year.
But the stormy weather was a major party-pooper at this year's event, seemingly dousing any potential outrageous behaviour.
"I thought: `What the hell has Toronto done to deserve this?"' Montreal's Sam Roberts, who won the best post-production MMVA for his song "Them Kids," said backstage.
Rainn Wilson was among dozens caught in a near-chaotic crush of people fleeing the red carpet for the MuchMusic building to escape an especially heavy downpour. Leaks sprung from the ceiling in the media room and the MMVA hosts, including Leah Miller and Matte Babel, often had to perform their duties while under umbrellas on stage.
"I can't believe so many people are still out here because of the rain -- this is crazy," Jenner said on the red carpet.
Later, the hunky Jenner had the girls in the crowd squealing with delight when he said: "Canadian women are the hottest girls in the world. Down-to-earth, laid-back -- I love Canadian women."
Thousands of fans had flocked to the MuchMusic streetside studio on Queen Street West earlier in the night to see the MMVA guests arrive, including some attendees who emerged from an ice-cream truck. The four members of Hedley arrived on their bicycles despite the thunderstorms as fans were often left soaked to the bone beside the red carpet and outdoor stage.
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