I watched parts of the Premios Billboard de la Musica Latina live on Telemundo (canal 47 here in NYC) last night ( I channel flipped among the awards, Ugly Betty/Grey’s Anatomy, a PBS documentary about NYC history, and a repeat of a Summerstage concert I saw live with Seu George). The pre-show was a one big advertisement with stars walking down a green carpet sponsored by the green bottled beer (that shall remain nameless) and the Target dog was flashed across the screen more than once.

The local coverage here seemed to be dominated by telenovela stars like Gabriela Spanic who spoke out against President Hugo Chavez’s ban on telenovelas saying he’s taking away jobs from Venezuelans. Thankfully they showed male telenovela stars to like the oh so yummy Dame Chocolate star Carlos Ponce who was one of the main presenters of the evening.

As usual the fashion was dominated by women with plunging necklines revealing thousands of dollars worth of implants like la bon bon asesina Ninel Conde who showed more silicone than the FDA should allow in one woman.

Because this year marks 50 years since the death of the Mexican legend, Pedro Infante, Mexican talent was highlighted with a tribute to Infante featuring Lupillo Rivera. Pedro Infante Jr. even was applauded.

Reggaeton and its stars were also featured prominently including Rakim and Ken-Y ( I always want to call him KY), Winsin and Yandel, and of course Calle 13, who just released a new album. Don Omar’s King of Kings won best Reggaeton album and he dedicated his award to Luny Toons and Winsin and Yandel, to Mexican artists but notably not to Calle 13. Looks like the reggaetón wars continue.

Paulina Rubio opened the show wearing what my 9 year old called a garbage bag over a purple bodysuit. Her performance of Ni Una Sola Palabra was lackluster to say the least. Despite that la Chica Dorada won best female pop album and best female pop song. She looked better in a slinky black number when she performed Nena with Miguel Bose.

Don Omar followed Paulina Rubio’s opening number, entering on a white horse. However his performance got boring fast as it seemed that Don Omar got tired.

Now Calle 13 never got tired performing Tango del Pecado with a chorus line of dancing brides of all shapes and sizes dressed like old school Like a Virgin Madonnas. Their performance, like the stage set, was red hot, puro fuego.

Miguel Bose was given a tribute because of the breadth of his 30 years of work as a musical artist. The tribute featured video clips of artists he’s worked with over the years including Ricky Martin and Shakira. The actual lifetime achievement award was given to him by Juanes wearing a camisa negra.

Gilberto Santa Rosa (who didn’t look like himself without his facial hair) and Victor Manuelle presented el Gran Combo de Puerto Rico (Ricans representing!) con su salsa clasica. This was my second favorite moment of the night.

Overall however the show was blah. In general the songs presented and performed were old ones already that we have all heard and seen way too many times. The audience seemed bored and did you all notice that many of seats weren’t even filled? I think that many people, like me, are suffering from award show overload.