Instead of a black or white carpet, MTV opted for the more tradition red rollout at last Thursday’s “Video Music Awards.” But in typical non-traditional fashion, the network spread media outlets over two stories and both sides of Chick Hearn Court, the road directly in front of LA’s Staples Center. I stood across from the double-decker entrance and watched celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, One Direction, and Katy Perry entered the carpet to near-deafening screams.

– Scooter Braun has made a name for himself in the music industry with his non-traditional moves, such as signing a 15 year-old Canadian named Justin Bieber after watching the teenager perform on YouTube. The manager works with a handful of other acts – from Usher to Carly Rae Jepsen – and just added Psy to his roster. Psy is the man behind, “Gangham Style,” a Korean pop song in the vein of LMFAO that has amassed over 110 million YouTube views since July. I asked Braun why he took a chance in signing the K-Pop star.

“Because he’s an underdog, and I love underdogs,” Braun responded. I inquired about other acts he’s signed, and he simply said, “They’re all underdogs.”

Certainly Psy would be the first Korean pop star to make it big in the U.S., but I’m not sure 110 million YouTube views screams “underdog.”

– You could call Gym Class Heroes an underdog before The Papercut Chronicles II. Prior to its release, the band only had one bona fide hit record to its name with the Patrick Stump-assisted “Cupid’s Chokehold.” GCH added three to that list with “Stereo Hearts,” “Ass Back Home,” and “The Fighter.” What makes the feat more impressive is the era in which it was accomplished: Gym Class Heroes have found a way to cut through all of the dance music on pop radio. Guitarist Disashi Lumumba–Kasongo cited two reasons for the success.

“One, us being true to ourselves as a band and as people,” Disashi said. “And two, the fact that the kids growing up today and people who are grown up already, want to hear more than just one kind of music.”

– For those clamoring to hear new music from Hot Chelle Rae, you won’t have to wait much longer. Guitarist Nash Overstreet told me the band started writing new material in January, and could have a new single out as soon as October.

– The sixth and final season of “Jersey Shore” will also kick off this October – and DJ Pauly D has no regrets about the run.

“It’s been an unbelievable ride for me,” Pauly said before he ducked in to the Staples Center for the VMAs. “Six seasons deep, six seasons strong, and this past one, I can’t wait for it to air. We went out with a bang.”

You would expect nothing less from the Seaside Heights crew. Yeah buddy.