By Jolyn Garcia Posted April 18, 2012
Let’s go back in time to 1981. Turn on your television and tune into MTV. You’ll find yourself watching Pat Benatar singing her latest chart-topper. Now fast forward to 2009 and you will be introduced to a new female icon, Nichole (Snooki) Polizzi. Nichole, along with her friends, is followed by an MTV camera crew who documents their lives to make the popular show, “Jersey Shore”.
Over the years MTV has aired fewer music videos and more reality shows. Viewers used to tune in to MTV to find out what the hot new music was. Now they gather around to see how the Teen Moms are doing and what type of problem our “Jersey Shore” cast has encountered. Allow me to ask the question that has now formed in your mind, what happened to Music Television?
MTV’s main objective when it first launched was to air music videos 24 hours a day. Today the only times a music video can be found on MTV is between midnight and 6 a.m. The other 18 hours of the day are filled with reality television shows. You might stumble upon a scripted show, but let’s face it, those are practically mindless too.
Music Television has transformed itself from a channel where someone would tune in to rock out, to a place where viewers get their latest gossip. The next time you’re enjoying the many reality shows MTV has to offer, remember that the M doesn’t stand for music and thank those at Mindless Television who brought it to you.
