Since its inception, the MuchMusic Video Awards have always had the feel of a star-studded street party. Behind the scenes though, a lot of planning goes into choreographing the chaos on Queen Street.

“It’s one of those shows where anything could happen,” says Neil Staite, MuchMusic’s director of operations.

“You’re not only building for what you want the show to be, but what could happen. And sometimes those are two very different things.”

Key to the spontaneous appeal of the MMVAs every year are the fans who flock to the corner of Queen and John to catch a glimpse of their favourite artists. The energy they generate rubs off on the performers and presenters, says Staite.

Of course the massive crowds can make getting the presenters to their mark on time a problem. Besides the party on Queen Street, Much also holds a reception inside the building.

Every person appearing on the program gets a wrangler who rehearses from Friday on every possible route and detour to get that artist where they need to be on time.

The show’s writers also have a hand in corralling the chaos. They research each presenter before writing a word, says Jason Ford, the supervising producer.

They’ll then consult with each artist, sending drafts back and forth in an effort to capture the artist’s true voices.

Still, they leave plenty of room for off-the-cuff moments. In 2002 Pamela Anderson brought out then partner Kid Rock. This year Justin Bieber’s girlfriend, Selena Gomez, is co-hosting the show and the Biebs has been hinting over Twitter that he might make an appearance.

“That’s the kind of thing we’d be prepared for,” says Staite.