MTV Turns 25
You could make a case that the launch and rise MTV was the biggest pop culture event of the 1980's. It ushered in and help spread TV as a medium to sell music, brought a new look and faster-paced editing style to TV, and served as a great generation divide between those of you raised in the 70's and those of us raised in the 80's.
But after selling music for years (far past the point where videos were novel ideas), it moved forward to stake out the role of vanguard of the youth culture. That may sound a little far-fetched, but can you think of another TV station that devotes so much of it's time and energy to trying to trying to be the arbiter of cool?
But I would like to mention a few of their ideas that really stood out to me.
Stevie Washingon The Angry Youth. Somewhere between a promo and a continuing animated adventure, these had a great look and overall style. I just found out someone put some of these episodes on youtube.
My Super Sweet Sixteen. Years from now when people want to see to what extent parents would bend over to "befriend" their children instead of raising them, this will be the show they watch. I can't believe this show flies so under the radar. Don't these people know what assholes they look like when they appear on this show? Or do they just not care, and are somehow proud that they spend $200,000 on a birthday party where their kid will act like ingateful tyrant who gets off by excluding people from her party?
Beavis and Butthead. Although MTV ruined this show by changing it from a show where Beavis and Butthead made fun of others to a show where Beavis and Butthead were the butt of the jokes, the show still merits mention. They need to sell a DVD with the episodes AND the videos in their original place. And restore all the jokes they cut out to make this show palatable to the scolds of the world.
True Life. A documentary that doesn't need to teach "lessons", and constantly picks interesting contemporary topics that other shows ignore. Unlike 48 Hours, Cold Case Files, or any other documentary show that does nothing more investigative than rehash police reports.
Wonder Showzen. Although shown more on MTV2, this is an extreme rarity; a TV show that could truly be called subversive. Hilarious and offensive, it is not for everyone, especially those that like the familiarity of most shows and don't like a show that they can't figure out within 5 seconds of turning it on (stay away Everybody Loves Raymond fans). Watch a whole show, it is not possible to get a real sense of the show by watching a two-minute clip. And keep an eye out for the twins, for reasons I don't fully understand, they make me laugh every time.
But after selling music for years (far past the point where videos were novel ideas), it moved forward to stake out the role of vanguard of the youth culture. That may sound a little far-fetched, but can you think of another TV station that devotes so much of it's time and energy to trying to trying to be the arbiter of cool?
But I would like to mention a few of their ideas that really stood out to me.
Stevie Washingon The Angry Youth. Somewhere between a promo and a continuing animated adventure, these had a great look and overall style. I just found out someone put some of these episodes on youtube.
My Super Sweet Sixteen. Years from now when people want to see to what extent parents would bend over to "befriend" their children instead of raising them, this will be the show they watch. I can't believe this show flies so under the radar. Don't these people know what assholes they look like when they appear on this show? Or do they just not care, and are somehow proud that they spend $200,000 on a birthday party where their kid will act like ingateful tyrant who gets off by excluding people from her party?
Beavis and Butthead. Although MTV ruined this show by changing it from a show where Beavis and Butthead made fun of others to a show where Beavis and Butthead were the butt of the jokes, the show still merits mention. They need to sell a DVD with the episodes AND the videos in their original place. And restore all the jokes they cut out to make this show palatable to the scolds of the world.
True Life. A documentary that doesn't need to teach "lessons", and constantly picks interesting contemporary topics that other shows ignore. Unlike 48 Hours, Cold Case Files, or any other documentary show that does nothing more investigative than rehash police reports.
Wonder Showzen. Although shown more on MTV2, this is an extreme rarity; a TV show that could truly be called subversive. Hilarious and offensive, it is not for everyone, especially those that like the familiarity of most shows and don't like a show that they can't figure out within 5 seconds of turning it on (stay away Everybody Loves Raymond fans). Watch a whole show, it is not possible to get a real sense of the show by watching a two-minute clip. And keep an eye out for the twins, for reasons I don't fully understand, they make me laugh every time.
posted by Beukey @ 3:32 PM
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