Dear MTV Owners at Paramount Skydance:
What do you mean you’ve quit? You’ve given up? Instead of returning to your roots to attract your original generation of music lovers, you’ve surrendered even though we’re still here, humming along with our songs just like we were when we sang “I Want Our MTVvvvveee” …
We recall the launch with VJs like Mark Goodman and Martha Quinn, and it sure seemed like Michael Jackson released a new video every month. Sure, The Real World reality show was a cool addition back in 1991, but then you strayed away from the original programming premise in 2010 when you ditched videos altogether instead of fighting back against the YouTube takeover.
You certainly have not been as resilient as the generation that birthed you, created computers, cellphones, and the internet, invented the Walkman, CDs, iTunes, and social media, and we’ve even made “Trivia Night” one of the most crowded evenings at our neighborhood taverns. For example, here’s a couple for you:
“What was the date of the first video ever played on MTV?”
Answer: MTV launched its original program at 12:01 on August 1, 1981, and most of us KNOW that answer.
“What is the first video ever played on MTV?”
Answer: The first video played by MTV was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
Yup, that was it, and we stayed up to celebrate because it sure seemed like the future had finally arrived. But ya know what? It appears – does it not? – that’s now very inaccurate. You see, since you’ve made your dreadful, disappointing, “quitter” announcement, the real reality is this:
Radio has killed the video star after all.
Sincerely,
Generation X
