I'm with you, bro. I grew up in the MTV generation, when it was an American cultural icon. I remember watching the very first video when the channel debuted (The Buggles' Video Killed the Radio Star). I remember babysitting my nieces back in 83 and staying up all night, literally, just soaking in video after video. And it wasn't just Top 40 or popular metal. Back then, it was a vehicle for music video as art form. Bands and artists from all walks of music were creating intelligent mini-movies that captured our imaginations. Hell, even a band like Rush was making unbelievable videos. (Hell, I remember a time when the video for The Big Money was one of the most cutting-edge uses of the CGI of the time and one of the costliest videos ever made. From a band that had no interest in Top 40 popularity or selling records...proving it was for the art of it.)
I still remember when MTV started going downhill. And it was even before The Real World, although that was the end result. When J.J. Jackson, one of the original five VJ's, left and was replaced by that hack "Downtown" Julie Brown. And it's still a vivid uncomfotable memory when she pronounced Metallica met-a-LEES-a. She had no knowledge of music unless it was dance or R&B. And it was the signal that MTV was shifting its direction towards the money and the lowest common denominator. I remember saying to myself, "She's gonna kill this station." Within a year, the game shows started, prime viewing time was nothing but dance music and pop, and rock was relegated to the wee morning hours and specialty shows. "Yo MTV Raps" was on three times a day and the slope started and ran down quickly.
Now, MTV doesn't even deserve the name. It has nothing to do with music and everything to do with selling the crap from the advertisers who suck the collective dick of the lowest common demographic. It should change its name to the "Drama Queen Teenage Reality Channel" and let someone else kickstart a real music station that once again represents music as art and become a new American icon.
