Last nights MTV Video Music Awards had far less antics than its audience is accustomed. No bitch slaps, no jealous ranting, nothing too shocking or offensive (The bonus Jersey Shore episode  took care of all that an hour before broadcast.) This time MTV took a less glitzy approach to showcasing big names in pop music, sans egotistical dramatics.

There was de ja vu in the air. Starting with a "Like A Virgin Madonna homage when a wedding dressed Rhianna opened the show with Eminem.  He later won for best male and best hip-hop video. Gaga took best female, best pop and video of the year for "Bad Romance," which was presented by Cher in the her full on 1989 "Turn Back Time" leotard, like handing off the reigns to today's generation of divas. Lady Gaga also announced her upcoming album's title "Born This Way" in a quick a cappella belt, proving again that beneath those drag-queen meat flavored costumes.. the girl can sing, yo.

The performances nodded to the past as well. Justin Bieber put smooth hip-hop moves to souped up doo-wop songs. Closing with a drum solo, he unfortunately lost a drum stick and then his way navigating to the stage to accept Best New Artist. Though Bieber relied on the backing tracks to assist through choreography, his mentor, Usher, was left noticeably winded through his song where he glided through a Tron-like scaffolding.

The best performances of the night belong to veteran VMA diva Mary J. Blige, who casted a huge shadowed over Drake when she wailed on stage for his moment. And though 30 Seconds To Mars snubbed Florence + The Machine in the best rock video category, Florence introduced herself to millions more fans last night with incredibly commanding vocals.

But the absence of the long hyped Taylor vs. Kanye showdown was the biggest let down. (Yes, it's comparable to the subhuman compulsion to  watch a train wreck.) The two ever-so-earnestly referenced last year's most awkward VMA moment via sincere stripped down performance. Taylor's inspirational "it'll be okay kid" guitar anthem (actually called "Innocent") was a snoozer and Kanye's apologetic performance was typically snarky and backhanded, but surprisingly minimal.

Still, I found the VMA's refreshing. Though Deadmou5 was reduced to Karaoke DJ backing Robyn who sang less than half of her international hit "All The Lovers," I have to admit the show was streamlined and engaging without  being ostentatious. Host Chelsea Handler didn't even get too much in the way of what  we've been asking of MTV all along: More Music Please.