The MTV Video Music Awards just got a lot funnier… and racier.
Comedian Chelsea Handler – who has never met a sex tape joke she didn’t embrace – will host the live ceremony on September 12. She takes over for Russell Brand, who handled the festivities each of the last two years.
“Everyone knows that when you think of rap music and hip-hop you think of Chelsea Lately,” the host joked on her talk show last night. “And that’s why I will be hosting them.”
The VMAs are always a popular special, but will likely draw higher ratings than ever this year: Kanye West is scheduled to perform, a year after infamously interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech on stage at the same event.
Other artists set to take the stage include Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj and Selena Gomez; while Lady Gaga leads the pack with a record 13 nominations.