MTV’s infamous VMAs aired yesterday, August 28, 2011 at 9:00 Eastern. MTV didn’t disappoint and, as promised, provided all of the expected unexpected. To be honest, this year had me nostalgic for the time when what was memorable and celebrated about the award show were the actual winners and not the crazy antics of celebrities and reality stars alike. After scouring blogs and news articles you might actually have some difficulty finding a complete list of winners, so I’ve provided it below (following a very short recap and commentary of this year’s non-award highlights, appropriately).

Stefanie Germanotta introduced an alter ego even stranger than her last: Jo Calderone. Britney wasn’t bald, incoherent, stumbling, or participating in contrived lip-locks (although there was a contrived almost-kiss with Jo Calderone. ) Katy Perry jokingly interrupted an unamused and straight-faced Kanye West, and Adele stunned the audience into silence singing a ballot without autotune. Beyonce made the exciting announcement that she was likely carrying the VMA’s 2023 Best New Artist, Amy Winehouse received a tribute, and Lil Wayne made the entire event slightly more awkward wearing baggy jeggings during his performances (you follow them on twitter now @Wanyes_Jeggings).

Now, for the list of what we all SHOULD be talking about:

Video of the Year: Katy Perry “Firework”
Best Male Video: Justin Bieber: “U Smile”
Best Female Video: Lady Gaga “Born this Way”
Best New Artist: Tyler, The Creator “Yonkers”
Best Pop Video: Britney Spears “Till the World Ends”
Best Rock Video: Foo Fighters “Walk”
Best Hip-Hop Video: Nicki Minaj “Superbass”
Best Collaboration: Katy Perry ft. Kanye West “E.T.”
Best Direction in a Video: Adele “Rolling in the Deep”
Best Choreography in a video: Beyonce “Run this World”
Best Special Effects in a Video: Katy Perry ft. Kanye West “E.T.”
Best Art Direction in a Video: Adele “Rolling in the Deep”
Best Cinematography in a Video: Lady Gaga “Born this Way”
Best Video with a Message: Lady Gaga “Born this Way”
Vanguard Award: Britney Spears

If you missed the show last night, tune into MTV tonight at 8:00 pm Eastern to re-watch all of the spoilers I just gave away.