VMA update: Best Dancing, BNA categories now open

In a surprising twist of events, no Idol alum - not even Jordin Sparks - made the cut in the Best Pop Video category, which finished winnowing its nominees on Wednesday. The video seemed almost a lock for a nomination, but it unexpectedly fell victim to videos by Danity Kane and Tokio Hotel among others.

There are two more categories open to fans voting for nominations, however, and both feature videos by alums that have a shot at nominations. For the Best Dancing in a Video category, Katharine McPhee's "Love Story" and Paula Abdul's "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" are both (long shot) contenders. But for the Best New Artist category, Jordin looks to have a good shot at a nomination, represented by her videos for "No Air" and "One Step At a Time." Blake Lewis is also on the ballot and is represented by his video for "Break Anotha."

Voting for the categories ends on Wed., Aug. 6, with the final nominees being revealed on Fri., Aug. 8. The VMAs will air live on Sept. 7, 2008, at 9 p.m. on MTV.