AVN Adult Expo, Day Three

LAS VEGAS—After several hours of red carpet flashbulb frenzy, The 2005 AVN Awards Show got underway, moving as swiftly as a three-hour show could and with few surprises. As co-host, comedienne Thea Vidale was bold and bawdy, delivering gems like "If Lexington Steele fucked me in the ass, I'd call the police" and "Don't think just because I'm fat, I won't steal your man. I will take your man. Anybody can suck dick, but can you fry chicken?" There may have been chicken at "the big buffet we're famous for" (a phrase which was actually printed on the show's ticket), but I was too busy watching fiftysomething director (and four-time nominee) Suze Randall get down to musical guest Chingy to put anything in my mouth. Usually mouthy but tongue-tied when he won was Robby D., director of Best Gonzo Series winner Jack's Playground. The buzzworthy Stuntgirl was named Best All-Sex Release and Pimpfomation XXX the Best Ethnic-Themed Release, Black. Acceptance speeches ranged from sweet (Cytherea, winner of Best New Starlet, thanked her mom) and nostalgic ("I want pubic hair back. Pubic hair! Pubic hair!" chanted Best Director Paul Thomas) to downright bizarre (Best Anal Sex Scene winner Lexington Steele: "We are the beautiful people.") When Sean Michaels mistakenly announced co-host Savanna Samson as the winner of Best Actress - Film, Samson, making a quick costume change backstage, came out in a towel, then got the news-the honor actually went to Jenna Jameson. In fact, the story of the night can be summed up with one simple phrase: Everybody Loves Jenna. Her two major projects last year—Bella Loves Jenna and The Masseuse—dominated the evening, grabbing ten awards including Best Video Feature, Best Special Effects, Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Actor.