MTV used to be the best thing since sliced bread. Since Brooklyn didn’t have cable for what seemed like decades, I would basically ignore my Manhattan/out–of–town friends and sit glued to their tv, catching up on the latest U2, Whitney or Janet Jackson video. Boy, was I rude. When Time Warner finally got around to acknowledging the existence of (or, more correctly, the money to earn from) the outer boroughs, my family jumped at the chance to subscribe to cable.
(This video made a great impression on me, edited as if pulled from the middle of a full film with suggestion of a backstory and subsequent scenes. Ah, the potential.)
I loved watching music videos of all genres (thanks to having no cable in Brooklyn in the 80’s, I missed witnessing Michael Jackson break the plastic ceiling and integrate the channel), from Guns–n–Roses to Salt–n–Pepa — I loved them all (still do, to the embarrassment of my kids). And when I wanted a slower pace, I’d turn to VH1.
And now?
“America’s Best Dance Crew” really is in line with the channel’s original spirit, as was “Wild ‘N Out”. “Run’s House” could be tedious, but tolerable. “Cribs” can still entertain, “My Super Sweet 16” is a hoot, as long as music stars make cameos at the parties; what other show makes you hate-on and feel superior to someone at the same time?
But the rest…
Basically unwatchable. Insulting, condescending, excessive, trashy. “The Real World” changed from an interesting social experiment of putting diverse young people together in a house in an interesting city to a voyeuristic exercise on gauging how many minutes of inane fabricated bickering among preternaturally-good looking mouth breathers there will be before they sleep together.
Another example: “Silent Library”. The premise is to do the most stupid, dangerous stunts possible without making noise in the back table of a library. Stunts include atomic wedgies, inhaling vacuum cleaner filth, brushing teeth with wasabi, licking a man’s jheri curled head. There was once a time when I did not cringe when I heard the words “based on the Japanese version”. But with five–too–many remakes of Japanese horror films and the ABC humiliation shows, I knew to be wary.
Why did the “Spring Break” and “Jackass” side win? Don’t the moronic kids in the reality shows know that they are making school and job interview videos? Less than one-percent of these pathetic creatures have moved on to hosting their own reality-based shows, so forget dreams of breaking into the real show business.
And let’s not even mention that stinking, steaming hot mess of shame and no self-respect: VH1’s “Flavor of Love” was just the tip of the iceberg of what used to be the more “mature” channel. Both channels are evidence of the degradation of America.
Music Television? What good are Video Music Awards if no one can see the videos?
Ratings? You don’t have to practice misogyny, racism and misanthropy in order to make money.
Nothing but peroxide abuse, peeking thongs and missing teeth. The only thing real is the India hair used in the chickie’s weaves.
A true channel geared towards the younger population has the moral responsibility to not dumb-down the future leaders of the country, if not the world. I’m not saying that these channels can’t put on banal, destructive programming; of course they can do it 24 hours a day. There’s a place for everything. I say as fellow citizens of the earth, the executives and producers of these channels should make more positive choices. Young people brought up with these role models will walk into a job interview wearing tight mini dresses and short-shorts, or muscle shirts and baggy jeans. The clothing and mentality that goes-with may be okay for prostitutes and janitors, but I wouldn’t want to see a doctor with that attitude (not that they could get into medical school if they idolize those types).
Wouldn’t complain if there were a balance of dignity and absurdity; it’s so hard not to be wary of the upcoming season.
Oh, and watch out, WB-channel; you’re trying to walk in a new pair of spike heels on a slippery slope.
Agree? Disagree?
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