The 22nd annual AVN Awards for excellence in adult movies were a high-energy mix of raunchy humor, glamour on stage and off, party-hearty high spirits, and lots of Jenna Jameson. In fact, it was a Jenna kind of night.
Hosted by super-sized black comedian Thea Vidale and Vivid Girl Savanna Samson, the show was a breezy, electric two hours, full of good feeling and with none of the windy acceptance speeches and self-promotion that mar so many mainstream award shows.
It didn't hurt that Jameson, the industry's one genuine superstar was on stage often. Last year's blonde co-host returned in 2005 as a brunette and carted home some of the highest profile prizes.
Jameson won three individual awards. Best Actress - Film, Best Couples Sex Scene - Film, Best Girl-Girl Sex Scene - Film. And her two starring vehicles, The Masseuse and Bella Loves Jenna, snagged the top awards, Best Film and Best Video, respectively. Icing on the cake was the Best Marketing Campaign - Company Image award to Club Jenna.
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The Jenna presence enabled Vivid Entertainment Group to be the only studio to score in double digits-16 in all, 10 for the two Jameson projects.
Evil Angel finished a distant second with seven awards, followed by Digital Playground, Ninn Worx and Wicked Pictures with five each.
Despite the strong showing of big-name studios, this was a breakthrough year for several smaller companies.
Stuntgirl, a low-budget venture released independently and picked up for distribution by Hustler Video, won three major awards: Best All-Sex Video, Best Director - All Sex Release (Jack the Zipper), and Best Couples Sex Scene - Video.
Francesca Le's LeWood Productions, now with a new distributor, Juicy Entertainment, made their first trip to the winner's circle with three awards: Best Oral Sex Scene - Video, Best Oral Themed Series and Best Specialty Release - Big Bust (It was quite a night for Le who was also inducted into the Hall of Fame).
The Spanish company IFG hit it big with its first American release (distributed by Smash Pictures), Hot Rats. The movie was named Best Foreign feature and its director Narcis Bosch Best Foreign Director.
Weaving through all the suspense of the envelope openings and the winners' occasional tears of joy was the street-smart, expletive laden, drop-dead hilarious commentary of Vidale.
“How you cocksuckers doin?” was her opening greeting.
Vivid Girl Savanna Samson was her charming but much lower profile co-host. “And I thought I was a dirty girl,” she told Vidale in mock-amazement.
Which brought the good-natured retort: “I'm the fat lady that tells jokes, you the skinny bitch that sucks dicks.”
Vidale seemed genuinely jazzed about being the host, saying at one point that she has never been able to talk about sex in comedy clubs the way she could here.
Her ad libs were outrageous. Spotting a mainstream celeb in the audience, she said, “Is that Gene Simmons [of Kiss] over there? Lemme see your tongue, daddy-I'm gonna ride you to sunset!”
Samson introduced this year's trophy girls: newcomers Keri Sable and Tyra Banxxx plus the veteran Rayveness, dubbed by Savanna “the best kept secret in porn.” All three had a busy evening handing over AVN's lucite trophies to the always thankful winner.
The three big individual awards-Starlet, Female and Male Performer-went, respectively, to Cytherea, Lauren Phoenix and Manuel Ferrara, all heavy favorites in pre-show speculation.
Cytherea (whose Elegant Angel vehicle, Cytherea Iz Squirtwoman won Best Specialty Release - Other Genre), dazzled in a see-through silver dress. She thanked her mom and “all the girls and the guys that I've worked with.” The leggy, willowy Phoenix saluted her fans-“I love you so much for watching me”-and “my man Trey-I would not be here without you.” Ferrara, who was cheered by his teammates at Red Light District-Platinum X, paid tribute to AIM Healthcare and “the woman I love, Krista.”
Ferrara also picked up the Best Couples Sex Scene - Video award for his bout with Venus in Stungirl. Venus gushed, “It was easy working with Manuel-he's awesome.”
Jameson, upon winning Best Couples Sex Scene - Film in The Masseuse, with hubby Justin Sterling, said, “This award is so much better when you're having sex with someone you truly love… I'd like to thank my husband for being so incredible in the sack.”
The Sterlings also won back to back acting awards for their performances in The Masseuse. Both were effusive in praise of their director Paul Thomas. Winning Best Director - Film, PT was his usual irreverent self. “This is my 30th awards show,” he joked, “and I'm only 40 years old. The difference in those 30 years is that I used to get paid in cash by Italians, now I get paid with a check by a Jew.”
Vivid's other house director, David Stanley, won Best Director - Video for Pretty Girl. The trophy was accepted by the movie's star, Ashley Blue, who had previously won Best Supporting Actress - Video for Adore, another Stanley feature.
The lead acting awards for video features went to Jessica Drake in Wicked's Fluff and Fold and Barrett Blade in Digital Playground's Load. Blade barreled through his acceptance speech-“Let's fuckin' make this shit quick!”-an example that Hollywood actors would do well to emulate.
Aside from Jameson, the top individual winner was Europorn star Katsumi, the half French, half Vietnamese beauty, who won three individual awards, including Female Foreign Performer of the Year, and whose Ninn Worx vehicle, Lost Angels: Katsumi, was named Best Foreign All-Sex feature.
In a rare bit of crossover between two often despised pop culture genres, rapper Lloyd Banks accepted the award for Groupie Love (Digital Sin) as Best Interactive DVD. Banks also won Best Music for the movie, which his G-Unit group co-produced.
The remastered version of Deep Throat, the movie that started the industry in the first place, was named Best Classic DVD.
AVN founder Paul Fishbein dedicated the 2005 awards show to two friends who passed away in 2004: sexploitation film great Russ Meyer (“his legal defenses paved the way for today's adult filmmakers”) and Jim Holliday, porn historian and director (“one of the true creative minds in this business.”)
He then presented the awards for Top Renting and Selling Titles of 2004 to the previously announced 1 Night in Paris. Red Light District owner David Joseph accepted, saying it had been a great year for his company - surely an understatement.
AVN publisher Tim Connelly, joined by actress Ashley Blue, introduced Jimmy Flynt, who presented the Reuben Sturman Award to “a personal friend of more than 35 years,” who was once harassed by the same Midwestern prosecutor as “me and my brother.” Harry Mohney, the adult entertainment pioneer and owner of the Déjà Vu club chain, said the award “humbles me with more honor than I deserve.” He told the audience, “May you stay free in 2005 and earn your fair share of this ten billion dollar industry.”
The final on-stage presentation was for Best Video, to Bella Loves Jenna, a co-production of Club Jenna and Vivid. Jenna and Justin accepted. She: “Wow!” He: “Holy shit!” Jameson added that the award proved her right in believing you could mix a horror movie with a porn movie and make it work.
Musical interludes were provided by Smashmouth, singing their hit “(Hey You're an) All Star,” Lit, and rapper Chingy. The latter's smooth beats and his polite invitation to “all the ladies in the building to run on to the stage” drew what looked to be the largest ever collection of girls for the traditional massed bacchanale, which effectively ended the on-stage part of the show.
As is customary, the majority of the awards were presented in two segments announced from behind the stage, with the winners' names on the giant video screens. Winners were directed backstage to pick up their trophies.
This year the announcement of the Hall of Fame inductees was accompanied by an excellent montage of video clips of each artist in action, chosen with care and expertly edited.
There were also some comedic filmed interludes, the most humorous being a tribute to Ron Jeremy with factoids about his life. Example: “Has had sex with over 4,000 women but only 9 will admit it.”
Lit provided the exit music as a record crowd of guests made their way to post-parties in the Venetian and other Las Vegas hotels.
Below is a list of the 2005 AVN Award winners. With multiple winners, the production company is listed first, followed by the distributor.
Production Awards
Best Video Feature- Bella Loves Jenna, Club Jenna/Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Film- The Masseuse, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best DVD- Fetish: Circus, Ninn Worx/Pure Play Media
Best Gonzo Release- Gina Lynn’s Darkside, Jules Jordan/Evil Angel
Best Gonzo Series- Jack’s Playground, Digital Playground
Best Sex Comedy- Misty Beethoven: The Musical, VCA Pictures
Best Vignette Release- Tales From the Crack, Evil Angel Productions
Best Vignette Series- Sodomania, Elegant Angel Productions
Best All-Sex Release- Stuntgirl, Clockwork Productions/Hustler Video
Best Continuing Video Series- Girlvert, JM Productions
Best High-Definition Production- Island Fever 3, Digital Playground
Best Interactive DVD- Groupie Love, Digital Sin
Best Classic DVD- Deep Throat: Re-mastered, Arrow Productions
Best Foreign Feature- Hot Rats, IFG/Smash Pictures
Best Foreign All-Sex Release- Lost Angels: Katsumi, Ninn Worx/Pure Play
Best Foreign All-Sex Series- Pleasures of the Flesh, New Sensations
Best Anal-Themed Feature- Big Wet Asses 3, Elegant Angel Productions
Best Anal-Themed Series- Ass Worship, Jules Jordan/Evil Angel
Best All-Girl Feature- The Connasseur, Belladonna Entertainment/Evil Angel
Best All-Girl Series- The Violation of…., JM Productions
Best Ethnic-Themed Video, Asian- Dress-Up Doll Asuka, Oriental Dream Pictures
Best Ethnic-Themed Video, Black- Pimpfomation XXX, Onyxxx Films
Best Ethnic-Themed Video, Latin- Spanish Fly Pussy Search 14, Evasive Angels
Best Interracial Release- Once You Go Black 3, Jules Jordan/Evil Angel
Best Ethnic-Themed Series- Black Reign, Mercenary Pictures
Best P.O.V. Release- P.O.V. Pervert 3, Red Light District
Best Oral-Themed Feature- Cum Swallowing Whores 3, Le Wood Productions/JM Productions
Best Oral-Themed Series- Blow Me Sandwich, Zero Tolerance Entertainment
Best Amateur Release- Adventure Sex, Hustler Video
Best Amateur Series- Homegrown Video, Xplor Media Group
Best Pro-Am Release- The Luv Generation, Black Mirror Productions
Best Pro-Am Series- Breakin’ ‘Em In, Red Light District
Best Alternative Video- Family Business: the Complete First Season, Showtime Entertainment
Performer Awards
Best New Starlet- Cytherea
Best Male Newcomer- Tommy Gunn
Female Performer of the Year- Lauren Phoenix
Male Performer of the Year- Manuel Ferrara
Female Foreign Performer of the Year- Katsumi
Male Foreign Performer of the Year- Steve Holmes
Transsexual Performer of the Year- Vicky Richter
Best Actress, Film- Jenna Jameson, The Masseuse, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Actress, Video- Jessica Drake, Fluff and Fold, Wicked Pictures
Best Actor, Film- Justin Sterling, The Masseuse, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Actor, Video- Barrett Blade, Loaded, Digital Playground
Best Supporting Actress, Film- Lesley Zen, Bare Stage, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Supporting Actress, Video- Ashley Blue, Adore, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Supporting Actor, Film- Rod Fontana, The 8th Sin, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Supporting Actor, Video- Randy Spears, Fluff and Fold, Wicked Pictures
Best Non-Sex Performance- Mike Horner, The Collector, Wicked Pictures
Best Tease Performance- Vicky Vette, Metropolis, Nectar Entertainment
Director Awards
Best Director, Film- Paul Thomas, The Masseuse, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Director, Video- David Stanley, Pretty Girl, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Director, Non-Feature- Jack the Zipper, Stuntgirl, Clockwork Productions/Hustler
Best Director, Foreign Release- Narcis Bosch, Hot Rats, IFG/Smash Pictures
Sex Scene Awards
Best All-Girl Sex Scene, Video- The Violation of Audrey Hollander, Audrey Hollander, Gia Paloma, Ashley Blue, Tyla Wynn, Brodi & Kelly Kline, JM Productions
Best All-Girl Sex Scene, Film- The Masseuse, Jenna Jameson & Savanna Samson, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Anal Sex Scene - Lex Steele XXX 3, Katsumi & Lexington Steele, Mercenary Pictures
Best Oral Sex Scene, Film- The Collector, Jessica Drake, Chris Cannon & Cheyne Collins, Wicked Pictures
Best Oral Sex Scene, Video- Cum Swallowing Whores 2, Ava Devine, Francesca Le, Guy DiSilva, Rod Fontana, Steven French, Scott Lyons, Mario Rossi & Arnold Schwarzenpecker, LeWood/JM Productions
Best Couples Sex Scene, Film- The Masseuse, Jenna Jameson & Justin Sterling, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Couples Sex Scene, Video- Stuntgirl, Venus & Manuel Ferrara, Clockwork Productions/Hustler Video
Best Group Sex Scene, Film- Dual Identity, Katsumi, Savanna Samson & Alec Metro, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Group Sex Scene, Video- Orgy World 7, Venus, Ariana Jolleee, Staci Thorn, Zena, Louisa, Trinity, Jasmine, Nike, Melanie X, others, Evasive Angles
Best Three-Way Sex Scene, Video- Erotic Stories: Lovers and Cheaters, Dani Woodward, Barrett Blade & Kurt Lockwood, New Sensations
Best Sex Scene in a Foreign-Shot Production, Rocco Ravishes Russia, Rocco Siffredi’s 10-Girl Reverse Gang Bang, Rocco Siffredi/Evil Angel
Best Solo Sex Scene- Penny Flame, Repo Girl, Digital Playground
Most Outrageous Sex Scene- Misty Beethoven: The Musical, Chloe, Ava Vincent & Randy Spears in “Randy’s Singing Penis,” VCA Pictures
Technical Awards
Best Screenplay, Film- The Collector, Brad Armstrong, Wicked Pictures
Best Screenplay, Video- Pretty Girl, David Stanley, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Art Direction, Film- The Collector, Wicked Pictures
Best Art Direction, Video- In the Garden of Shadows, Ninn Worx/Pure Play
Best Cinematography- Flirts, Andrew Blake, Studio A Entertainment
Best Videography- In the Garden of Shadows, Chris Hall, Ninn Worx/Pure Play
Best Editing, Film- The Masseuse, Sonny Malone, Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Editing, Video- Bella Loves Jenna, Justin Sterling, Club Jenna/Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Special Effects- Bella Loves Jenna, Club Jenna/Vivid Entertainment Group
Best Music- Groupie Love, Lloyd Banks, Bank Shot Productions, Digital Sin
Best DVD Extras- Millionaire, Private North America/Pure Play
Best DVD Menus- In the Garden of Shadows, Ninn Worx/Pure Play
Specialty Awards
Best Specialty Francesca’s Juggies, Le Wood Productions/JM Productions
Best Specialty BD & SM Release- Nina Hartley’s Private Sessions 13, Bizarre Video
Best Specialty Spanking Release- Nina Hartley’s Guide to Spanking, Adam & Eve
Best Foot Fetish Release- Leg Affair 7, H2 Video/LFP Video
Best Specialty Release, Other Genre- Cytherea Iz Squirtwoman, Elegant Angel Productions
Best Transsexual Release- She-Male Strokers 6, Mancini Productions/Exquisite Multimedia
Marketing Awards
Best DVD Packaging- Millionaire, Private North America/Pure Play
Best VHS Packaging- Island Fever 3, Digital Playground
Best Box Cover Concept- The Chunky Whisperer, Skintight Productions/Legend
Best Overall Marketing Campaign, Company Image- Club Jenna
Best Overall Marketing Campaign, Individual Project- 1 Night in Paris, Red Light District
Best Marketing Website- Evil Angel.com
Best Retail Website- (TIE) Adult DVD Empire.com, Wanted List.com
Best Renting Title of the Year- 1 Night in Paris, Red Light District
Best Selling Title of the Year- 1 Night in Paris, Red Light District
Hall of Fame
James Avalon
Seymore Butts
Rod Fontana
Kylie Ireland
C.J. Lang
Francesca Le
Mai Lin
Jim Powers
Serenity
Shane
Steven St. Croix
Taylor Wane
The Reuben Sturman Award
Harry Mohney, Déjà vu Showgirls
