Today we celebrate MTV's 25th anniversary. Like it or not, the network changed the landscape of pop culture when it debuted in 1981. It did some good stuff, such as challenging young people to care about news, politics, and starving children in other countries. Some MTV moments affected pop culture, but most fell in the line of "did you see (fill-in-the-blank) last night?"
In today's paper we looked at some of the incidents that made MTV a cultural button-pusher, from Madonna loving all over her body during the inaugural VMAs as she performed "Like A Virgin" to watching Mariah Carey self-destruct on "TRL."
My favorites were the 1983 debut of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and the VMAs in 1999.
I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. When "Thriller" aired, I sat in the family room with my parents and my brother to watch. It was a family event, and after that, we'd often catch Jackson's video premieres together. My parents would critique them afterward, and I would coo about how Jackson was so great and they just didn't understand.
My other most memorable moment was when Lil' Kim wore a pasty over one breast as she presented a video music award with Diana Ross. It wasn't the pasty I remember the most. It was Diana Ross jiggling the Queen B's breast on national TV. That still cracks me up. Ross seemed so fascinated with the outfit.
So, what's your favorite MTV moment. I don't care if it's the VMAs, a program, a video, whatever. Post your replies below.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
MTV is getting old
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8 comments:
Headbangers Ball at midnights fed my need for hot, loud videos.
My favorite MTV moment will be when the station blows up and goes off the air.
Two my favorite moments involve two infamous kisses during MTV awards shows: Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley, his wife and the time; and Britney Spears and Madonna. I cringe even now when I think of Jacko and Lisa Marie -- man, the way he just grabbed her and laid one on her (almost missing her mouth in the process) was creepy and weird and desperate and ... absolutely fabulous, from a pop culture standpoint.
As for Britney and Madonna, well ... no matter what Brit says, there was tongue! There was a level of commitment there from Britney that, if used now on her career, might help her make a comeback. :o) And whether you're man or woman, gay, straight or in-between, you have to admit that kiss was HOT.
I enjoyed when MTV actually played videos. I did commend their efforts once they introduced MTV2, because while they had one channel airing teeny bopper shows, they held onto their routes with their cable affiliate. Now that too has become a place for crappy shows. I want to see music videos, not teenagers acting too big for their britches... NEXT!
MTV got old for me about 10 or so years ago when the air time for videos declined even more in favor of other programming. Not that I didn't enjoy Liquid Television or Beavis & Butthead, but they swung a little too far from videos. They lost me and I haven't looked back.
My favorite MTV memory is of Remote Control, with Ken Ober, Colin Quinn, and Kari Wuhrer. I am a pop culture JUNKIE, and even when I was in high school I could crush any of the contestants on that show. I drove people crazy by screaming out the answers at the TV.
I miss the 1980s and 90s MTV. This was when artist really made awesome videos: Scream, Thriller and Remember The Time by Michael Jackson. Papa Don't Preach, Like A Prayer and Vogue by Madonna.
My favorite memory of MTV was Yo! MTV raps with Ed Lover and big dude (can't remember his name..was it Dr. Dre?). I also loved the premiere of Thriller. Hey does anyone knows what became of Fab 5 Freddy? and where is Downtown Judy Brown? I don't really watch MTV anymore because they don't really play videos anymore...too many reality shows...
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