MTV Video Music Awards

Chris Brown thought his $22,000 diamond encrusted Rolex was LOST FOREVER when he accidentally tossed it into the crowd at the MTV VMAs ... but lucky for him, he thought wrong.

TMZ has learned ... Brown's watch -- a gold Rolex with a white oyster face and diamond-encrusted bezel -- came loose at the beginning of his performance ... so he took it off and tried to toss it to a safe place ... all while dancing his face off.

But Brown missed his target and the watch ended up in the crowd.

After the performance, Brown's bodyguard went into the audience and asked if anyone had found the watch -- not really expecting anyone to come forward ... but to his surprise, the watch was in the possession of an HONEST person, who returned it to its rightful owner.

A rep for Brown tells TMZ, "Although Chris did not get to meet the fan, he is very appreciative of the fan's actions."

Still, we gotta ask ...

Kid Cudi is NOT Don Draper, so he doesn't get to smoke wherever he wants -- and he learned that lesson the hard way when he sparked up at the MTV VMAs last night.

Honchos at the Nokia Theater at L.A. Live spotted the rapper puffing away as Lady Gaga went on stage to accept the award for Best Female Video -- which is a problem because the place is a non-smoking venue.

A rep for the building tells TMZ an usher was dispatched to speak with Cudi -- where, "He was asked to put it out and he complied."

And they all lived happily ever after.

It was the standout performance of the MTV VMAs -- Chris Brown dancing his face off -- but while everyone from Kanye to Bieber stood up and cheered ... Jay-Z refused to even crack a smile.

Of course, Jay is the man who discovered Rihanna -- and they're still VERY tight. So, was his decision to NOT clap a message to Brown? Or is Jay simply too cool for the room?

Beyonce just showed up to the MTV VMAs with a very special guest -- HER FETUS.

Rumors have been swirling about B having a bun in the oven for weeks ... but tonight she confirmed the buzz by showing off her baby bump on the red carpet.

With Beyonce as the mom ... and Jay-Z as the dad -- one thing's for sure ... THAT KID IS GONNA BE RICH!!!!

For more on the MTV VMAs check out TooFab.com.

Pauly D has feelings too ... and dude tells us he was DEVASTATED when he learned that honchos at the Hollywood Walk of Fame have banned reality stars from receiving the honor.

The "Jersey Shore" star is in L.A. for the MTV VMAs -- but told us he's still thinking about his family on the East Coast ... who've had to board up their homes and evacuate because of Hurricane Irene.

Still, Pauly insists his hair is "Irene-proof!"

MTV couldn't have its biggest stars miss tomorrow night's Video Music Awards due to the hurricane sweeping the East Coast -- so they chartered a private jet to take "Jersey Shore" stars Snooki, Vinny, Deena and Sammi to Los Angeles ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, the foursome flew out last night, avoiding the hurricane before it crippled local airports.

The rest of the cast was off doing events in other parts of the country -- for example ... Pauly D was in Oklahoma DJing, while Jwoww was hosting a party at PURE in Las Vegas.

Vinny tweeted a pic from the plane, saying, "Had to take the PJ to the #VMAs to beat the storm.East coast you will be fine just chill in and laugh while it passes."

Pitbull's not getting out of Lindsay Lohan's legal doghouse -- because she's blowing off his apology for using her name in a song ... and rejecting his invitation to the MTV VMAs.

Lilo recently sued Pit because his song "Give Me Everything" includes a lyric she feels disparages her name.

On Wednesday, Pitbull taped an apology (below) ... claiming he meant no harm, and invited Lindsay to join him at the VMAs this weekend -- where he's scheduled to perform the song.

Sources close to Lindsay tell us she has no interest in going to the VMAs -- and Pitbull's apology has no impact on the lawsuit ... it's moving forward.

A rep for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals tells us that Gaga "has a hard time being 'over the top,' and wearing a dress made from cuts of dead cows is offensive enough to bring comment."

But the rep notes that if the dress was made from actual meat -- and not the fake stuff -- it wouldn't take long to go sour ... saying, "After time spent under the TV lights, it would smell like the rotting flesh that it is and likely be crawling in maggots."

Only one was forgiven by Taylor Swift.

According to cops, Pablo was busted at Raleigh-Durham International Airport -- he was allegedly on his way to Los Angeles and the MTV Video Music Awards. We're told the rapper was going through security and the gun was spotted in his carry-on bag -- security then called airport police.

Pablo, real name Moses Barrett III, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a stolen firearm. We're told he posted $50,000 and was released.

He's due back in Wake County Court on Monday.

Jermaine Dupri held a VMA pre-party last night.