Amid the search for eternal youth, let's credit MTV's "Video Music Awards."

In spirit, the show is still a wacky kid, ready to startle and surprise. In actual age? It's older than many of its viewers and some of its performers.

"I've watched it all the time," singer-actor Chris Brown says of MTV. "For as long a I can remember."

The math works out: MTV was born in 1981, the "Video Music Awards" in 1984, Brown in 1988.

His life has been in an MTV world. Last year, he was a VMA presenter; on Sunday, he'll perform.

"He's our audience," says Jesse Ignjatovic, producer of this year's VMA show. "Our audience loves Chris Brown."

They aren't saying whether he'll solo or be in one of the show's unusual duets.

The duets have long been a part of the show. Ignjatovic recalls one from 1999: "It's Kid Rock with Run-D.M.C. — and then Aerosmith bursts out."

He's gone a step further this time by hiring star producer Timbaland, who is dubbed as the show's "maestro." Among other things, the maestro will work on some of the duets.

"The philosophy is anything goes," Ignjatovic says. And "openness, creativity, cooperation."

There will be lots of possibilities to work with. The people expected to perform include Nelly Furtado, Kanye West, Rihanna, 50 Cent, Common, Akon, Lil' Wayne, Cee-Lo, Soulja Boy, Daniel Merriweather, Mark Ronson, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes and more.

Brown says music videos have always been logical for him. "It's fun," he says. "It's just acting out."

The acting comes easily enough. He's been in some "The O.C." episodes and two movies — "Stomp the Yard" and the upcoming "This Christmas."

The awards show also lets performers meet other music stars. That's a bonus, Brown says. "I'm a fan of everyone ... I would just say I'm blessed."'