Kat Halstead

When I was a kid, MTV was still cool (it was so cool, I wasn’t allowed to watch it until middle school). Maybe it’s still cool now but it’s so very different. I remember having slumber parties and we would put MTV on, watch the video countdowns or rushing home from school to see what the highest rated video of the day was. Would it be ‘N SYNC or The Backstreet Boys?

When I put MTV on now, I can’t believe it’s even the same network. It’s changed so drastically in the past decade, I wonder if the viewers of today still get the same amazing information we got out of it.

5) MTV’s Undressed
This was a series about sex and relationships, nothing about it was conventional and that’s what made it so great. Each episode had three sets of characters at different ages, usually some high school kids, college students and a set of young adults. It didn’t shy away from much, if anything. You got to see couples at all stages trying to figure their relationships out. It was a fun program, one of course you wouldn’t watch with your parents. It not only entertained, it educated as well.

4) Road Rules
The first two seasons were my favorites, when it was pretty basic and they were just traveling around the country. Once the reality tv craze started, the show began to change too much from the original concept. I’m also sad the only video I could find on youtube was Kit buzzing all of Mark’s hair off.

3) The Real World
Back when they were still being real, they weren’t just there to party, hook up; they had real issues with each other and had to deal with them. They were real people, who the viewers could connect with. I think the last time I enjoyed a season of the show was Season 10 back to New York, but it really started to go downhill during Hawaii. My personal favorite seasons are the first 3, each are so simple but so different. If it weren’t for those 3 seasons, and the people on it I might not be the person I am today.

2) Kurt Loder
I admit it, I’m a news junkie. I started to watch news programming in middle school, one thing I loved about MTV was when something was going on that teens and twenty-something’s would be interested in, or affected by. He didn’t talk down to viewers which was great. He’s still around, writing and doing appearances on cable news, but it’s just not the same as when he was the face of the MTV News Department.

1) Music Videos/TRL
Sure if you get up early enough in the morning or are up late enough at night you might catch some music videos. It’s different now though, MTV is no longer Music Television. Gone are the days of hours of watching a bunch of videos on your TV. Sure we can go to youtube/vevo and watch the latest videos from our favorite artists. TRL is long gone, and really it became a shell of itself after Carson left (really how many hosts did they need to have to equal him), but then you got a mix of stuff. You would have Kid Rock battling it out against ‘N SYNC for the number one video.
Let’s not forget the incredible live performances, which at the time were amazing even if today they seem a little bit cheesy like this *N SYNC one.

Do you miss MTV the way it used to be? Is there a particular show you miss? Was there a show that had an impact on you and who you became today? Don’t be shy, leave a comment!

(Source: kathalstead.com)