September 8, 2008 1:24

Britney Spears opens the 2008 MTV VMAs

She picks up gong for Best Female Video

Britney Spears opened the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles tonight, and showed off her acting skills in the process.

Spears, who recently made an appearance on TV show 'How I Met Your Mother', starred in a short comedy sketch with 'Superbad' actor Jonah Hill, before being filmed walking from her dressing room to the stage to introduce the ceremony.

Walking onstage, Spears received a standing ovation from the crowd, including the likes of Fall Out Boy, The Jonas Brothers and Kid Rock.

Spears also picked up the award for Best Female Video for her song 'Piece Of Me', and made a brief speech in which she thanked God and her two sons whom she said inspire her every day.

Spears was cheered on by her recently re-hired manager Larry Rudolph, the man responsible for her meteoric rise to fame as a teenager.

This year's ceremony is hosted by Brit comedian Russell Brand, who achieved fame in the US thanks to his role in the movie 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'.

Brand used part of his opening speech to appeal to viewers to vote for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama, and made fun of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, including the news that her teenage daughter is pregnant.

The full picture gallery of MTV Video Music Awards photos from the night can be seen here on NME.COM.

--By our New York staff.
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