MTV at 30

Yesterday was the thirtieth anniversary of MTV.  Back then, it was known as “Music Television” and it was basically a radio with video.  The channel played music videos around the clock and was hosted by “veejays”, the video version of a disc jockey.  The network’s annual VMA’s (Video Music Awards) has become a highly rated anticipated event.

As years passed, MTV slowly added original programming, such as broadcasting from Spring Break.  In 1992, MTV hired Mary-Ellis Bunis, a well regarded producer of several soap operas (As the World Turns, Santa Barbara) and writer Jonathan Murray to create a soap opera for the network.   When budget issues stalled the project, Bunim and Murray decided to try a non-scripted soap.  In May of 1992, MTV debuted their show, which became an iconic reality show that has spawned countless imitations, The Real World.  Soon after, MTV found success with other series such as Beavis & Butthead and The Osbournes.   Now, the network is made up almost entirely of scripted and reality series (including the blockbuster The Jersey Shore, and 16 and Pregnant) and music videos are reserved for MTV2, the network’s sister channel, which is now airing more original programming as opposed to music videos.  Let’s take a look back at some of MTV”s most memorable moments.

 

MTV Unveils UK Version of ‘The Jersey Shore’

Will a wild group of party-goers living together for a crazy summer carry the same punch as MTV’s mega-hit The Jersey Shore when the cast speaks with a British accent?  That’s what MTV-UK will find out when they premiere The Geordie Shore, a UK based version of the MTV juggernaut.  The show has the same structure and premise as the US hit, and will premiere in the UK on May 24. Check out a clip of The Geordie Shore below:

MTV’s “Jersey Shore” Cast Seeks Another Pay Raise

The cast of "The Jersey Shore"

Reports that the cast of MTV’s smash hit The Jersey Shore are on strike until they get another pay hike are either outdated, false, or the “strike” is falling apart.  Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio are reported to have signed new contracts and the others are expected to follow shortly.

The cast made $5,000 per episode during the first season of the show.  Last year, the cast banded together and demanded $10,000 per episode.  Now the cast has asked for $30,000 per episode.  It’s nice to know that in a struggling economy, nice kids can still find work in the summertime…