NEW YORK (AP) -- Rock's new guard -- Smashing Pumpkins and Alanis Morissette -- took home the most awards. But it was the old folks who made the most noise at the MTV Video Awards show, where a good genitalia joke or creative profanity are appreciated far more than a weepy acceptance speech.

Potbellied veterans Kiss, in full makeup, closed the show, which was staged Wednesday night at Radio City Music Hall, with a fire-belching rendition of "Rock 'N' Roll All Night" from a barge underneath the Brooklyn Bridge.

And Van Halen, welcoming wisecracking singer David Lee Roth back after a decade's absence, drew the loudest applause both on and backstage without performing a note of music.

"Diamond Dave, back in the saddle," said a smiling Smashing Pumpkin James Iha backstage. "Thumbs up."

Roth clearly relished being back in the spotlight with Van Halen a decade after their bitter split. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen coolly dismissed ex-singer Sammy Hagar, who was said to be angered by the new pairing, by saying Hagar wasn't a team player and wanted a solo career.

No such worries for the oblivion-bound Roth, who laughed when asked what the change meant for his solo career.

"What solo career?" he asked.

The formerly feuding Van Halen and Roth embraced warmly, but Van Halen wasn't making any long-term commitments. He said Roth will record two new songs and some videos with the band, and his status will be reviewed after that.

Roth quickly took the microphone from the guitarist.

"They're not going to find anybody better than me," he said.