Madonna, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, The Pussycat Dolls, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Danity Kane, and Miley Cyrus are among the nominees for the upcoming MTV Awards. The overall list is a big yawn to some of us, though others are no doubt thrilled.

MTV once again asked viewers to help determine nominees and has now announced the “Best New Artist” and “Best Dancing in a Video,” the contenders ranging from German rockers Tokio Hotel to does-she-still-matter (maybe) Madonna, to teen pop wonder Miley Cyrus to country teen Taylor Swift.

MTV’s 25th annual Video Music Awards will be hosted by comedian/actor Russell Brand and will air live and on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 9:00PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT). Lil’ Wayne and the Jonas Brothers have already been confirmed to perform at this year’s show. Presenters and additional performers for the 2008 Video Music Awards will be announced at a later date.

The 2008 MTV Video Awards nominees for “Best New Artist” include Jordin Sparks and Katy Perry, who have both already received deserving nods for “Best Female Video.” Also up for “Best New Artist” are German quartet Tokio Hotel (who are already vying for a “Best Pop Video” award), singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus. Artists up for “Best Dance in a Video” are the multi-talented Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, Danity Kane, Pussycat Dolls, and Madonna, for her “4 Minutes” video, featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

Each Friday night at 8:00pm ET/PT on “FNMTV,” two new categories are announced and opened for viewers to vote for their favorite artists and videos at vma.mtv.com or from their Verizon Wireless mobile phone by texting the name of the artist to 23882. Categories currently open for viewers voting are “Best Rock Video” and the always highly anticipated “Video of the Year.”

Nominees…so far:

BEST DANCING IN A VIDEO

Ne-Yo
“Closer”
The Year of the Gentleman
Def Jam
Director: Ms Melina

Madonna, featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
“4 Minutes”
Hard Candy
Warner Brothers Records
Director: Jonas & Francois

Chris Brown
“Forever”
Exclusive The Forever Edition
Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Joseph Kahn

Pussycat Dolls
“When I Grow Up”
Doll Domination
Interscope Records
Director: Joseph Kahn

Danity Kane
“Damaged”
Welcome To The Dollhouse
Bad Boy Records
Director: Syndrome

BEST NEW ARTIST

Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown
“No Air”
Jordin Sparks
19/Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Chris Robinson

Katy Perry
“I Kissed A Girl”
One Of The Boys
Capitol
Director: Kinga Burza

Taylor Swift
“Teardrops On My Guitar”
Taylor Swift
Big Machine Records
Director: Trey Fanjoy

Tokio Hotel
“Ready, Set, Go!”
Scream
Cherrytree/Interscope Records
Director: Warwick/Haering

Miley Cyrus
“7 Things”
Breakout
Hollywood Records
Director: Brett Ratner

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Chris Choun/Ish Entertainment is Co-Executive Producer. Jane Mun is Producer. Amy Doyle, Joanna Bomberg, and Robin Katz are Music Talent Executives. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive. Garrett English is Executive in Charge of Production.

Speaking of the non-musical and done, here’s Britney Spears with Russell Brand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEqo55ryya0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj8gQhLPRG4

Popularity: 3% [?]