Oh man. The music television channel, otherwise known as MTV, was the best channel back in the day. And when I say back in the day, I mean the 1990's and early 2000's. I may have been a toddler in diapers, but having older sisters opened up a door of good television. Everyday when we came home from school, TRL was the move. Every Saturday morning was filled with music videos and girls singing *NSYNC in their pajamas with their hairbrushes. MTV transitioned from music television to cliche reality television, but in the early stage, I think it was still pretty great. Let's reflect.
1. Total Request Live
Total Request Live, otherwise known as TRL, was the show of the century if I do say so myself. Tuning into Carson Daly every afternoon was what I looked forward to on the bus ride home. For the youngins that were not fortunate enough to experience this magic, TRL was a daily top 10 music video countdown. The show was filmed live in the MTV studios of Times Square with a studio audience. TRL included live interviews with Hollywood's hottest celebrities while celebrating pop, rock and hip hop music. TRL sadly peaked around year 2000 and aired its official last show in 2008. RIP to one of the best shows on MTV.
2. Punk'd
This show is a classic and always will be. Who could forget Ashton Kutcher pulling awful pranks on fellow celebrities? Punk'd was a classic reality television show in which Kutcher would set up pranks and have his friends carry them out on celebrities in public and private locations. Who could forget the first prank ever on Punk'd, when Justin Timberlake was persuaded that government agents were seizing his home and belongings due to unpaid taxes? Punk'd became an actual term, with "You just got punk'd," meaning that you just got a practical joke pulled on you. Long live Punk'd.
3. Pimp My Ride
You cannot claim yourself as an avid watcher of MTV if you did not secretly want Xzibit and the crew at West Coast Customs to come pimp your ride. Young car owners in the Los Angeles area would submit photographs of their beat up, broken down cars to Xzibit with hope that he will show up at their doorstep. Each episode began with the host checking out the beat up car, taking it to WCC and tripping it out to be absolutely incredible. Cars would have the most outrageous things in them, especially with technology that is now seen as normal. The reveal was the best part though, with the zebra print seats and back seat turned lounge. We miss you, West Coast Customs.
4. MTV Cribs
Do not tell me that you never pretended to walk into your house, turn around and say, "Hey MTV, welcome to my crib." MTV Cribs showcased mansions of Hollywood and Manhattan's elite. The show featured tours of over 185 celebrities, musicians, athletes and actors over the course of 13 seasons. This show gave fans a sneak peek inside the lives of their idols and their outrageously huge homes. Personally, my favorite is Mariah Carey's hour long tour of her New York penthouse, but that's just me. Cue the music.
5. Room Raiders
Room Raiders, aka Tinder but your match gets to check out your room first. On this reality dating show, three men or women are blindfolded and taken to a white van (creepy, right?) The three contestants get to watch as someone of the opposite sex "raids" each of their rooms. At the end of the episode, the three contestants have the chance to raid the raider's room all together. The raider chooses which person he or she would like to take out on a date at the end of the show. If you like weird, sexual and embarrassing tension all in one show, then this show was for you. It was interesting to say the least!
6. Next
Yet again, another dating show. They are so addictive, though. Next featured a single person in the beginning of each episode looking to find love. An RV pulls up with five contestants that could potentially be the one for the single contestant. The single contestant goes on a date with the first contestant, but can shout "next" anytime he or she wants the date to end. Each contestant on the RV has a chance unless the single contestant finds love in one of the first few people. This show is so shallow, but addictive at best. Don't you wish you could yell "next" anytime someone makes you uncomfortable on a date? If only.
7. Parental Control
The heavily scripted dating/reality show that ran reruns every afternoon. What could it be? Parental Control. You may have hated it in the moment, but I bet you miss it. Parental Control started out with a set of parents hating their son or daughter's significant other. They interview a number of people and decide on two selections in which their child must go on a date with. The parents sit at home with the original boyfriend or girlfriend as they watch the dates between the daughter or son and the selections go down. During the episode, the original boyfriend or girlfriend badmouths the other candidates, with a word from word script as we suspect. At the end, the daughter or son chooses who they want to be with. Cliche, scripted, but funny and addicting. That is reality television, I suppose.
Although people have been upset with MTV and the distance from actual music playing on the channel, I think the old school shows were enjoyable to grow up with. I learned many things from MTV growing up, things my mother probably wishes I didn't, but needless to say that these shows grew up with me. I miss them dearly and even if you don't admit it, I'm sure you do too.
