MTV is 30 years old today. I turn 32 years old later this year. Are any of you about my age, fellow 30- and 20-somethings who grew up watching the channel?
When I was younger, MTV actually live up to its name — MUSIC Television. Now, a quick look at the schedule shows that there isn’t a whole lot of music being played on the channel anymore. Instead, it’s shows about teen mothers, high school angst, and celebrities, one after the other, with little or no music in between. If you want music, you have to pay more money to get other MTV channels.
But back in the day, I did enjoy watching. The summer I baby-sat nearly full time, I would watch Alternative Nation in the mornings before the girls woke up. I got a kick out of watching Beavis and Butthead — late at night, the only time music wasn’t played — and way back when, when Mystery Science Theater was on MTV, when it declared itself “Comedy Central” for a few hours.
But, even back then, I enjoyed rock, metal and alternative much more than pop music or rap, so MTV didn’t hold much allure for me when I got a bit older. Add in the scantily clad women, and it was soon forbidden in our house, anyway. As I got older and started sharing living space with roommates, I found that, to my dismay, many of them loved watching “Real World” or whatever show was on at the time. I would conveniently find other things to do at that time.
So, MTV, you may have entertained me 15 years ago, but I have no interest in you now. Sorry, it’s not you, it’s me. Well, actually, it’s a little bit you.
Do you still watch MTV? For the music, shows, or something else? Tell us in the comments below.
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