I Still Want My MTV.
I remember way back when MTV ran and literally exploded to a new stratosphere with the I Want My MTV campaign. Not only was I a disciple but I was flat out sold long term on a channel that was just learning how to crawl. Everybody wanted their MTV. And then there was yesterday when something caught my eye as I danced with my remote. 16 and Pregnant, the latest installment of sneak peak reality tv for the music network, a corner of its programming lineup that is clearly crown jewel for their programming folks. Yes I see where they are going with this. I appreciate the gospel and I totally get it. No harm done when all they are doing is catering to their devoted audience via an honest dive into teen pregnancy and parenthood. Afterall nothing is more contagious, effective and positive than bringing critical issues to light. Yes marketing execs accomplished their primary goal, get the viewer engaged and steered in the right direction via programming that’s meant to to do exactly that. But frankly I was frightened, as a father and a husband. Has it changed that much for MTV? Has the shift been that tremendous for my childhood network, the one channel that did it for me? All I’ve ever wanted was my MTV. All I’ve ever wanted was my music. All I’ve ever wanted were my videos. I was there when Don’t Change by INXS first aired and I was certainly there when Video Killed the radio airwaves. I was also there when 120 Minutes and HeadBangers Ball were unduplicable. Of course things have changed since The Buggles and A-ha. People grow up, priorities evovle. But that much? Yes these stories are real. But as a major part of the MTV lineup? If I could ask for one wish, just one, it would be to remold the life cycle of reality tv. I’m not saying all reality tv shows have to go. Just a certain few and you know who you are. Come do as you please and exit. Come and go as you please. I got my wish with boy bands. Why can’t some reality tv just follow suit.
