Some observances from Thursday night’s Video Music Awards:

OUTTAKE: NICKI MINAJ

“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. I don’t know. Oh my God. I really didn’t expect this.” — a surprised Nicki Minaj after winning the best female video for Starships at the MTV Video Music Awards.

BABY ON BOARD

Could Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz not find a baby sitter?

The singer and producer were spotted during the MTV Video Music Awards with their almost 2-year-old son, Egypt, bobbing up and down on Beatz’ lap during Pink’s expletive-laden performance of “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).”

There was instant outcry on Twitter where several of Keys’ fans noted that this is the bawdy, loud MTV VMAS, not the kid-friendly Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. Others just thought Egypt was cute.

OBAMA ON THE BRAIN

Move over, Beyonce.

If the artists at the MTV Video Music Awards could select anyone to star in one of their videos, they’d choose Michelle Obama.

“I would have to wear such high heels,” Regina Spektor, whose All The Rowboats was up for the art direction award, said on the show’s two-story red carpet. “She is the most stunning, tall woman.”

Tom Petty and the band fun. agreed.

Petty called former President Bill Clinton’s address at the Democratic National Convention “one of the great American speeches I’ve ever heard,” and confessed he’s “still kind of high” from hearing his song I Won’t Back Down play when Clinton and President Barack Obama left the podium together Wednesday.

GOING UP?

The red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards outside Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles was a two-story affair this year. Attendees had to transverse a sweeping staircase to reach the upper platform.

You can get a closeup view of the action in our photo gallery below

Across the red carpet, fans filled an uncovered viewing area on the street level, hoping to catch a glimpse of hot pop stars like Rihanna and Nicki Minaj in the 90-degree heat.

— Associated Press reports

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