I Want My MTV... On MTV!

 If you've heard anything about modern pop culture, you know tomorrow marks the 30th birthday of one of the most divisive, interesting, and awe-inspiring networks in cable television, MTV. MTV turns 30 tomorrow with no fanfare on  MTV, but the final day of a 3-day celebration on its sister network,VH1 Classic. When I first heard a week ago that VH1 Classic would be celebrating with clips, interviews, and concert footage from when the network was still considered innovative and groundbreaking, I was excited and confused. Is it too much to ask that MTV, now known as reality-television, rerun strewn, awkward teen comedy channel it has morphed into show one day in tribute to what it once was?
  MTV used to be a great channel. I said used to because now it seems to have settled into the abyss of other cable networks full of niche programming. You can watch a music video on the channel from Monday-Thursday mornings from about 5-9am. But don't hold your breath, these videos are as diverse as a molded toenail collection. The same artists with current releases and upcoming projects are spotlighted but to see a blast from the past takes effort or a trip to MTV or YouTube's websites.
 The disappointing thing is that MTV even 10 years ago was relevant. They brought mainstream acts to full exposure and gave smaller, indie artists a break to audiences who wouldn't have had an opportunity to find them. But now with the internet, MTV claims that music videos aren't the same. I beg to differ. When you look at the number of hits on YouTube for some music videos, the hunger to see an artists give visual  representation to song. "Thriller" says it all. Not only did it revolutionize music videos as a promotional and creative outlet, it was fun and inspired a generation that took over MTV in the decades to come.
 But now it won't happen. I mean you can be inspired or moved from YouTube but it doesn't lend to a kid practicing the Dougie, the same way I imagined young Usher moon-walking to Michael Jackson. I think beyond access to music, MTV gave many insight into the universal connection music has in the world. A good example of this would be "We Are The World" where artists who wouldn't normally collaborate give valiant effort to creating something that is appreciated for its humanitarian connections as well as its musical ability.
 I'm not saying MTV now doesn't serve a purpose, but the mission now seems to be helping girls not get pregnant, promoting the efforts of GTL (gym, tan, laundry) for the New Jersey populace, or just reminding you of how awkward ages 12-18 really were. Music only catalogs and soundtracks these moments but not in the same way watching your favorite video or seeing your favorite artist in concert did, but I guess you can't convert the past into the present but you can TiVo it and make it just the same.