This year’s edition of the MTV VMAs went down at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The event was filled with performances, some good and some bad. Even at online casinos, some games are better than others.

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Britney Spears looks amazing in her little black dress as she holds a glass of champagne.

So ready for this night ✨💃�#VMAs pic.twitter.com/Py2IOB2YxT

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) August 28, 2016

We’re used to artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga shocking us with their performances, but there was always more to it than just the shock value. There was real talent and artistic elements to the performances.

The same can’t be said for poor Miley Cyrus who came across as a drunk, white trash chick trying to get attention at a dive bar. The tongue action was pretty lame. And while twerking can be sexy, it just seemed lame and dirty with Miley doing it next to Robin Thicke.

Yes, it was a train wreck.

Camille Paglia doesn’t pull any punches:

Most of the media backlash focused on Cyrus’ crass opportunism, which stole the show from Lady Gaga, normally no slouch in the foot-stamping look-at-me department. But the real scandal was how atrocious Cyrus’ performance was in artistic terms. She was clumsy, flat-footed and cringingly unsexy, an effect heightened by her manic grin.

Check out the entire article, as she explains the artistic influences of performers like Madonna and how all that seems to be missing with Miley.

There’s a formula to most awards shows — especially the Video Music Awards. You would think Kanye West knew that, considering he’s a self-proclaimed expert on pop culture. Case in point: Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” beat out Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” for Best Female Video. However, “Single Ladies” won for Video of the Year. Simple logic states that, if “Single Ladies” is the Video of the Year, it should also be the Best Female Video since Beyonce, as we know, is a dame. But the VMAs don’t work that way. They never have. When MTV lost its edge over 10 years ago, the network turned into an advertising agency instead of an important voice covering all things music. It wouldn’t be good business to have Beyonce win both awards. By spreading the love around, MTV is essentially recognizing the artists that have been the most lucrative to their business. Last night, nobody walked away with multiple trophies — because there’s a formula.

I always assumed Kanye was privy to this knowledge. When he jumped on stage and forced the mic out of Taylor Swift’s hands, the younger generation was undoubtedly excited. More stars! More stars! To those who think of Kanye as a trouble-making crybaby, they could sense he was up to no good. Shouting that his friend Beyonce’s video was “one of the best videos of all time,” he proved he doesn’t “get” the give-and-take ethos of pop culture at all. He’s just as clueless as the millions of adolescents that stayed up late to root for Taylor Swift.

The 2009 MTV VMAs are only a few hours away and, for the first time in years, I’m excited to watch. Say what you will about MTV’s stance as a reality network as opposed to a music showcase, but this year I think they’ve helped bridge the gap between what classifies “pop” and “indie.” Inspecting the list of nominees, there are artists — primarily in the Breakthrough Video category — who have a rabid indie following. While music nerds and indie advocates may tend to crap on the network, I respect MTV for giving groups like Bat For Lashes, Matt & Kim, and Cold War Kids a chance to shine during their renowned ceremony featuring the typical heavyweights.

Russell Brand, who’s just about reached his peak in popularity, will once again host the show. Viewers can also expect performances by Taylor Swift, Muse, and Green Day, the premier of the “New Moon” trailer, and of course, a tribute to Michael Jackson.

The VMAs will air tonight at 9 PM PT/8 PM CT on MTV and affiliates.

Click below for the list of nominees and assorted videos.