I remember growing up without any cable TV networks, including MTV. But, whenever I was at my grandparents, MTV was a network we’d watch (now this is the early 90s, they still showed videos then). The only non-music program we watched was Beavis and Butt-head (and that even had them, I guess you can say, do commentary to shortened music videos). Even earlier in the 90s, or really late 80s, for me, when we visited my mom’s family 400 miles away, we stayed at my great-grandmother’s apartment, and from time to time, watched MTV (yes, my great-grandmother would watch MTV too). I remembered they didn’t restrict themselves to the newest videos, as I remember “Don’t Come Around Here No More” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which at that time, was easily 3 years old. I remember 1990, with Aerosmith “Janie’s Got A Gun,” and Jon Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” (loved that video as a little 5 year old).

The point is, I loved music videos. We had the VHS tapes for Def Leppard Hysteria videos (which wasn’t just Hysteria, also had Pyromania ones as well) and Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet the videos, so those were the only way for us to watch videos. NBC used to have Friday Night Videos (YEAH, I remember that), which became our only source for music videos, being an antenna family.

But in 1995, we got Primestar, a satellite dish company, but MTV wasn’t part of our lineup (or, wasn’t available to Primestar, I was only 10), but I remember when we got it, in Oct. ‘95, it was available to us, and right when I got home from school, I tuned to it, and Bush “Comedown” was on. That’s how much I loved having the station. They played videos in the afternoon, so everyday we’d tune to it after school, caught the likes of Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” Alanis Morisette’s “You Oughta Know,” and more from the likes of U2, REM, as well as the shit being played at that time (Rap, not a fan of it) which there’s a ‘Mute’ button for. And, of course, Beavis and Butt-Head, which eventually even my parents ended up liking.

But the late 90’s became a problem. Right after school, this stupid video countdown was on (TRL, Which I believe stood for ‘Total Request Live,’ but it wasn’t a pure ‘request show,’ just more of a voting of current videos into a countdown, so MTV failed to understand one concept). And that was an hour of videos, MTV increased how often Real World and Road Rules was shown, and even when videos came on, the new shit playing (the Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys) was enough to want your ears ripped off. And they were also more strict to new videos, rarely anything older than 6 months, it seemed. Tom Petty used to be the one artist MTV showed and honored, but they swept him under the rug for young assholes, there is no nice way to put it. Music Television was for all music, not just youthful. (Which is why we have VH-1 Classic, but, eh they have been showing some of those ‘100 whatevers’ VH-1 loves, but the good thing is they are all MUSIC RELATED, so far).

As the years progressed, TRL wasn’t in the afternoon, and the only time blocks of videos were played were in the wee-hours of the morning, and for only a few hours at best. Now, with more shit like Jersey Shore airing, videos are compressed to near nothing (maybe once a week there is an hour block, maybe).

For over ten years, MTV has been increasing non-music programs, but continued to refer to themselves as ‘Music Television,’ while the masses, people like me, lean more towards ‘Moronic TV,’ or ‘Meaningless TV.’

Now that’s changing, MTV is officially re-branding their logo, removing the ‘Music Television’ tag-line. Unfortunately, the general manager, Stephen Friedman, is still blind and believes that “”Music is still at the center of so much of what we do, but we’ve really expanded what that means. We needed the logo to be flexible enough to have the artists within it but also the stars of our shows.” (AdAge.com).

When was the last time you remember anything MTV has done with music at its center?

MTV drops ‘Music Television’ from official logo – LA Times

What’s the ‘M’ in MTV for? – BuddyTV

MTV Finally Gives Up on Music – TV.Com

Small opinion:

Now, VH1 (the ‘VH’ is supposed to be ‘Video Hits’) should follow, as they don’t showcase ‘videos’ much no more as well, neither does MTV2. Also, Cartoon Network needs to adjust their logo, as they have strayed from actual cartoons several times. Even TNT and TBS switch their roles, ’cause I remember a few occasions where TBS is showing something more on the drama side than comedy, despite TBS’s tagline is ‘Very Funny,’ and TNT’s is ‘We Know Drama.’ Seems like networks just can’t stick to one thing, since Sci-Fi Channel showed wrestling and they rebranded last year to Syfy, so they can justify showing wrestling, but other than that, all the programming is still consistent in the sci-fi/fantasy realm.

Now, typically something like this wouldn’t really be worth talking much on, but this one in particular isn’t disgraceful. The ad from ManCrunch.com (a dating site for gay men) was denied airing during the Super Bowl. I have seen it, found it kind of funny, though I would understand that it was pulled if it was the quality of the ad (very low budget), but no. Their reason: Football fans don’t want to see that (by ‘that’ I mean where two dudes watching football touch eachothers hands slightly when reaching chips and then start making out while another fan sitting on a chair is shocked).

Okay, but they want to see an ad against abortions. Despite CBS saying they wouldn’t air advocacy ads, this one on Focus on the Family (a really Christian, very anti-Choice) will air, while six years ago, an ad that was critical of Bush and the war was denied. Hmmmm. (Source: watching the Rachel Maddow Show now while typing this).

But back to the gay dating site. With Football fans not wanting ads like that, then I hope eHarmony (and the like) will also not be seen, ’cause I’m taking it as football fans don’t want to see dating ads at all. Fine, as long as it’s fair.

However, Focus on the Family ad, which brings up a woman who went against doctor’s order on having an abortion and risk her life. Well, sure, it worked out for her, she got lucky, but it isn’t always gonna work, so this ad (which CBS possibly contributed to it) is advocating that all women in a similar position RISK THEIR LIVES for a small chance of survival to both the mother and child. But, that’s not the issue as much as CBS airing it, despite the ManCrunch ad is rejected because it didn’t “comply with the company’s Standards and Practices department,” or simply, they were uncomfortable with it ’cause, like CBS viewers as a whole, they are a bunch of old people living in the stone ages (my words, I don’t apologize, since everyone knows that CBS has more older viewers than the other broadcast nets).

I will go on the record that I’m a straight female, but I support gay rights and the woman’s right to choose, therefore I felt the need to point this out and give my opinion on the subject. I also want to point out that a 30-sec spot during the Super Bowl runs at about $2.5 MILLION, so if a company if willing to pay, why deny it? Also related, another ad for a video game “Dante’s Inferno” had been edited because the tagline “Go to Hell” CBS felt was “too extreme” for the Super Bowl, I find that interesting as well (thought major Football fans would be okay with violent games, though I get these are family events, but shouldn’t the Super Bowl be held differently, being live and an American Institution, that anything “offensive” should slide, then again, the Super Bowl seems to be slimming to an almost female event, with family watchdogs bitchin’ and compain’ that a LIVE sports event may have some F-bombs and the like). Obviously, I am very much against censorship too.

Now, the GoDaddy ads are in a completely different field, with sexual references, family groups may hate them, but guys love them, but even those ads get edited down, or banned as well (one this year won’t air, but that is a more legal issue with movie rights, not anything “offensive”).

Gay Dating Site Rejected – NY Daily News

Gay dating site may air elsewhere – Digital Journal

CBS Loves God, Hate Gays – Technorati
CBS rejects Dante’s Inferno ad – Kombo.com

All the talks and build leading to Apple having a tablet released, and it finally came…Unfortunately, maybe they should have spent a little more time with the name. iPad, yep, that’s what Apple is calling it, and it seriously is a horrible name. In fact, on Twitter, iTampon was (and still is) a trending topic, and earlier I saw it and didn’t know what to make of it, until I got an email from Apple (as I subscribe to the newsletter for updates) introducing the “iPad,” then it all made sense.

They could’ve been better off with iTablet, or just iTab, maybe, but iPad?

It is most obvious that there are no women working at Apple, as this article from the New York Times suggests.

Now, looking past the name, here is a breakdown of what the iPad has in store for consumers:

POSITIVES:
Ability to utilize iPhone apps
With that, it’s essentially a larger iPod Touch or iPhone, so anyone with those can use this with ease
Price – $499, yep, Apple’s tablet is $499 (for a 16GB model, $599 for 32GB, it’s $699 for 64GB, and it starts at $629 instead for the 3G version, plus the AT&T plan requires $30/mo for the data plan to even use 3G)

CONS:
No a widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio
No USB ports?
And no video camera (some of your cheapest Notebooks (Hell, even Netbooks) come with web cameras at least)
And for having a browser, no flash support

5 Things the iPad is Missing – CNET

I have to agree with that CNET article (the 5 Things one I just linked above), that though I find Netbooks stupid (just go a couple hundred dollars more to have something with a little more power, a little more space and memory, and more importantly, an optical drive (which none of the Netbooks I’ve seen had, and I think that alone makes them not worth getting)), I don’t see them going away because Apple has a functioning computing unit that starts at less than $500, because it too isn’t very expandable, it’s ridiculously thin (what is with people wanting so much from so little, bulk it slightly, and have an optical drive or something), and, as mentioned, iPad is without a web cam, which dirt cheap Netbooks have (even if they are shitty quality, it’s better than nothing).

Honestly, the larger screen is the only plus which would be best for watching videos (such as the lovely ones you may (that I have) purchased through iTunes and stuck watching on my laptop since the DRM crap confines it to devices iTunes supports (and I have no iPods [nor the Apple TV], since I find the costs high), and it’ll be better as an ebook reader, that could compete with Amazon’s Kindle (though I’ll still want a Kindle, ’cause, based on the pictures of the iPad, the glossy-ish screen could be bad for reading, while Kindle’s screen is crisp and designed for text, making it an easy read, plus the Whispernet service is included with no data charges (you pay for the books, which are cheaper than the physical hardback versions, so it’s not only cheaper, it’s better for the environment).

Another article to learn about this new device –> Review: Apple’s iPad has potential – San Francisco Chronicle

So, no, I probably won’t get one, I’d rather just invest in an iPod Touch, ’cause I’ve seen one of those in action, and it is pretty fuckin’ sweet.

Oh, have I mentionted that #iTampon is still trending on Twitter, if the Trending list is in order, it’s more talked about than the actual name of iPad. I mean, seriously, no women work at Apple?

The new series of the 2009-2010 season for television are continuing as the midseason lineup has arrived. There are only a handful worth checking, so far, two four good ones have premiered. FOX’s Human Target, which is getting an Idol boost (hm, wonder if FOX ever thought of giving Dollhouse that boost? Might have helped it a little) premiered with a special presentation before the return of FOX’s staple action series 24, and I happen to thought those two shows to be highly compatible, enough that I feel whenever Jack Baur does decide to finally retire, FOX has a series with the highly explosive action and fast moving plot to replace it. Starring Mark Valley, (had small recurring role in 1st season of Fringe, which I believe lead to him being the lead of his own series), as Christopher Chance, a dude that seems to have a deathwish, putting himself in extreme danger (first episode started him off as almost being blown up). Only two episodes have aired so far, but so far, so good. Human Target’s regular timeslot is Wednesday nights 8/7c, which it has yet to air in that slot, as it premiered on a Sunday, and it’s previous ep was on at 9/8c after Idol versus a regular slot before it. I wonder why FOX shows sometimes fail, but Human Target does seem to have an Idol boost no matter, as the State of the Union address next week will push a new episode to air on next Tuesday instead. So just go to FOX’s Human Target Site to find out when the next episode actually airs.

The second series is the CW’s Life Unexpected, which airs regularly, so far without strange special timeslots or anything, Mondays at 9/8c, stars Roswell’s Shiri Appleby, North Shore’s Kristoffer Polaha, and Dawson’s Creek Kerr Smith. The series started with a teenager 15 yrs old (almost 16), named Lux (Brittany Robertson), applying for emancipation (she was going from foster home to foster home as she was never adopted) but needed signatures from her birth parents, played by Appleby and Polaha. Appleby’s character, Cate, is a 32 yr. old radio host, who was only Lux’s age when she got pregnant, and when the court didn’t grant Lux emancipation, Cate decided to be a parent and take Lux in. Only one episode has aired, and it’s actually quite good. Nothing supernatural, nothing violent, has some of the same charm that made Gilmore Girls good (but not as good, but still watchable). The ratings for the first episode even topped that of Gossip Girl, so it shows that the CW may need to think more along the lines of shows like this, whether than clog their airwaves with One Tree Hills and 90210s. What I find strong about it so far is the character interactions.

[Additions made 1/25/10 for 2 more series, Caprica and Spartacus: Blood and Sand]
Syfy premiered the prequel to Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, and I checked it out and plan to watch more. I did use to watch Battlestar Galactica, but it was before I had a DVR and at that time it was difficult to keep up with every interesting series. By the time I had a DVR, I was behind on the series. But I checked out Caprica hoping that since it’s a prequel, I could understand without Battlestar Galactica, which is so far true. Plus, the clip sequence of what’s to come featured a very special guest star, James Marsters (his appearance is in the March 5th episode).

Also, Starz premiered a new series (which they had already renewed a second season), called Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Unfortunately, I don’t have Starz, but was able to catch the new show thanks to the channel having an online stream of the pilot. I think what I find to be most intriguing is the cinematography. The graphic novel feel works for the show that’s full of blood and violence (and lots of sex to go with it). Starz is now officially competing against HBO and Showtime, with a solid drama that pushes boundaries. As mentioned, though, I won’t be able to catch the rest, since at my household, HBO is the chosen premium, and only when True Blood is on.

At the time of this writing, there’s only one more new series I can think of that may be worth watching, and that is NBC trying (again) to have a Parenthood series, based on the Ron Howard movie of the same name. The difference this time around? Ron Howard (director for the ‘89 movie, and, according to IMdb, served as a producer for the short-lived ‘90 series) and Brian Grazer (producer for the ‘89 movie) will both serve as Executive Producers. And based on the tv spots, it looks pretty good. Did I mention Lauren Graham will be in it (Gilmore Girls), as well as Peter Krause (Six Feet Under, Sports Night), Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Dax Shepard (Punk’d, When in Rome), & Erika Christensen (Six Degrees, Flightplan).

Check out this real funny trailer for the new series set to premiere after the Olympics on NBC:

Press Release

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15 — In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, MTV Networks is presenting “Hope for Haiti,” a global telethon to air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, and CMT on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT. “Hope for Haiti” will also be made available to MTV Networks International, CNN International and National Geographic channels worldwide.

Full article: the futon critic

Find out what you can do to help Haiti.

All new episodes scheduled for January 22nd (including the return of the CW’s Smallville and the series finale of FOX’s Dollhouse will air the following week on January 29th.

Sci-Fi Wire

Bravo! Don’t let NBC walk over you. NBC can barely get regular primetime shows right (I don’t watch Southland, but I do think it was rash and stupid to cancel it before the new season premiere, now TNT has got it, and well, we’ll see how ratings go before making any more comments). Back in 2004, NBC made the deals between Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien, where Leno exits and Conan takes over The Tonight Show which starts at 11:35PM (and has been for a long time, about 45 years, but always after the news (*fun fact, the local news used to be only 15 minutes, so the early days of the Tonight Show started at 11:15*)). Of course, there was already previous controversy surrounding the early 90s when it went from Johnny Carson to Leno (Letterman, who was Late Night host at the time, was gunning for the job and even Carson was pulling for him, but it went to Leno and that caused emotions to stir and Letterman left NBC to have his own show (Late Show) on CBS).

Deja Vu all over again, as when the transition from Leno to Conan started becoming more of a reality, NBC was afraid to lose Leno since ABC became interested (guess they just don’t like talk show hosts jumping networks and potentially competing against them). Now with the whole Jay Leno Show debacle, NBC wants to move a shorter, half-hour version to late night after the news and move Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon 30 minutes later (12:05 and 1:05 respectively). At the same time, FOX is showing interest in wanting Conan (though Conan has gone on record saying no offer has been made). So, will NBC wise up and keep Conan and ditch Leno to keep Conan from moving to FOX, or will they remain stupid and appease Leno and lose Conan.

Here’s what I think they should consider: Keep Conan at 11:35, ’cause The Tonight Show is an American Institution of late night goodness that always follows the news. If they positively have to keep Leno, how about this: ONE FUCKIN’ DAY IN THE WEEK. Is that so hard? Pick a night where The Jay Leno show did somewhat better, and make that the one night it’s on. Avoid filling the 10PM void with repeats (which could actually end up just hurting the local affiliates more anyway), and make all three parties happy (though, don’t know Jimmy Fallon’s view on everything, and no one seems to care about Last Call with Carson Daly (and yes, that show is still on)). I know I’m no TV exec. person, but it seems like a no-brainer.

But, like I said, I’m not a TV exec, nor a professional TV critic/blogger, I just watch the damn thing and I happen to prefer Conan over Leno. I find Conan to be much more enthused, and a hell of a lot funnier. Don’t get me wrong, there were moments when Leno hosted (such as my favorite ‘Headlines’ segment, which he brought over to the Jay Leno Show). At the same time, there was the ‘Battle of the Jaywalk All-Stars’ which no longer exists, because after moving to 10PM, it’s changed to some idiotic Battle of the *insert ridiculous reality shit-show here* Stars (such as the more recent ‘Jersey Shore’ dumbasses). He basically turned a funny segment into a bloated possible PR-bullshit parade.

What Conan brought from his stint at Late Night are still the same segments that WORK, and he added the new ‘Twitter Tracker’ segment (kind of weak, but the animations for it is what matters), but what’s great about Conan, his monologue. He jumps and hops onto the stage, jumps here and there, does his usual ‘puppeteer’ bit, and gets the show going with full energy.

In the end, I’m on Team Conan, and that’s that. If he leaves the Tonight Show because of NBC’s stupidty and finds a gig with FOX, then I’ll have one more show on FOX to look forward to, and one less NBC (even if Leno gets Tonight Show back, I just couldn’t bring myself to watch it, even though I’d miss Headlines). So wherever Conan goes, I’ll watch, but I thing he deserves to be a part of The Tonight Show, it is his time for it, and in these tough times with our economy and everything, we need someone to make us laugh our asses off.

Read Conan’s statement to NBC’s plan: Conan O’Brien Rejects NBC’s Offer

And here’s an article on ‘NBC’s Idea’ to keeping all Leno, Conan, and Fallon: NBC moving Jay Leno out of Primetime

BTW, Conan is hosting tonight’s show, and Zac Levi (Chuck) will be a guest, so YAY! Watch it!

*Update [1/13/10]: Jay Leno May Leave as well, because he too isn’t happy with how NBC themselves are handling everything.