The Bronx Journal/September 2001 A 12 E N T E RTA I N M E N T

MTV Revisted after... Continued from page A-11

a trek across America to tackle a series of cruder animation. adventures -- a theme that recurs in a num- Though not in the same league with Fox's ber of network reality shows this fall. classic “The Simpsons” -- which remains MTV also introduced a kind of overt, one of television’s most revolutionary and envelope-pushing sexuality that has crept subversive prime-time cartoons -- “Beavis over to network television. From the verbal and Butt-head,” a spinoff of MTV’s first innuendos of comedies like “Friends” and animated series, “Liquid Te l e v i s i o n , ” “Will & Grace,” to the raw language and became a national sensation when intro- nudity on Steven Bochco’s “NYPD Blue,” duced as a series in March 1993. It paved broadcast series have tried to push the the way for even more outrageous cartoons boundaries as far as the censors will allow. like Comedy Central’s “South Park.” Through the years, MTV’s hip sexuality And, like so many other controversial could be found in everything from the MTV offerings through the years, “Beavis videos it played to the programming and and Butt-head” touched off a long debate on innovations it introduced -- including its where America was headed. “Spring Break” coverage (which debuted in MTV TIMELINE 1986); the MTV Beach House (first Aug. 1, 1981: MTV launches at 12:01 unveiled in 1993 as the summer-long back- a.m., with an announcer's words: "Ladies drop for many of MTV's regular programs); and Gentlemen . . . rock-and-roll." The first “Singled Out,” the raunchy relationship video shown: the Buggles' "Video Killed game show (launched in June 1995), co- the Radio Star." hosted by the voluptuous Jenny McCarthy, March 1, 1982: The famed "I Want My who was red-hot for at least 15 minutes; and MTV" advertising campaign debuts with “Loveline,” a late-night show featuring Pete Townshend, Stevie Nicks, Mick straight talk and advice about love and sex. Jagger, Adam Ant, Pat Benatar, the Police, MTV also ushered in a new kind of ruder, and David Bowie. Sept. 14, 1984: Launch of the MTV Video Music Awards. Over the years, it becomes a BRIDGE: Visualize what you cannot see place to expect outrageous fashion and celebrity behavior. March 21, 1986: MTV's first live on-loca- tion coverage of Spring Break, from JULIAN LADERMAN NORTH Declarer might have had a false sense of success if the king of spades had fallen Daytona Beach, Fla. 6 4 hess and bridge are often under his ace. This initial joy occurs since Dec. 7, 1987: Debut of MTV's first game KQJ show, "Remote Control." grouped together since both KQ J 8 the queen of trump would be able to win a Feb. 12, 1988: Former Rolling Stone edi- games require intelligence and A 7 6 4 trick. Unfortunately, the king falling would high skill levels. Other than that, there are have indicated a singleton and therefore tor Kurt Loder becomes "MTV N e w s " more differences than similarities: WEST EAST declarer would soon painfully realize that anchor. Aug. 6, 1988: Debut of "YO! MTV 1. Chess involves playing as an individ- K 9 East started with J 10 9 8 of spades and J 10 8 Raps!," the channel's first show devoted to ual. No communication skills are required. A 10 9 6 2 8 7 4 there are still two trump losers. rap music. Bridge involves bidding and signaling dur- A 5 2 10 7 4 3 Considering the necessity of West holding ing card play. J 10 5 9 8 3 king-doubleton, declarer could have just as June 2, 1989: Debut of "House of Style," well played a small trump from his hand a quarterly series on fashion, with model 2. Chess does not involve any luck SOUTH except to ascertain who gets the White and when regaining the lead play the ace Cindy Crawford as host. pieces and has the privilege of making the A Q 7 5 3 2 and queen. It would have been equally Jan. 21, 1990: Debut of "MTV first move. No chance factor such as dice or 5 3 effective. Unplugged," an acoustic music series. 9 6 cards as in bridge. The correct line of play can only be found June 4, 1990: Debut of "Totally Pauly," a K Q 2 3. A chess tournament involves compet- by counting the total high card points in the comedy-based video show with comedian ing in several large battles. An average North and South hands and visualizing the Pauly Shore. tournament game lasts 3 or 4 hours. A necessary enemy spade holding in order for June 2, 1991: Debut of MTV's first ani- DEALER : WEST mated series, "Liquid Television." bridge tournament involves a large number BOTH SIDES VULNERABLE the contract to succeed. This is an example of small battles. The average hand is com- of the type of visualization that is needed Feb. 3, 1992: MTV kicks off its "Choose pleted in 5 to 10 minutes. West North East South by bridge players but not by chess players. or Lose" 1992 election coverage, aiming to 1H 1NT* Pass 4S engage young people in politics by demys- 4. Chess is a game of perfect informa- Pass Pass Pass Since there are many major differences tion. Chess players need to envision future between chess and bridge, the two games tifying the political process and encourag- positions on the chessboard; the present * 16-18hcp require somewhat different skills and abili- ing them to vote. MTV News reporter location of the pieces is known. Bridge ties. Being talented at one game does not Tabitha Soren becomes its primary political Opening lead: club Jack players do not know the present location of guarantee success at the other or even inter- correspondent. all the cards. They have to visualize alter- est in the other. Chess has a long history of May 21, 1992: Premiere of "The Real World," a reality-based soap opera that fol- native holdings in their opponents’ hands declarer should not take the spade finesse extraordinary child prodigies. One must lows seven young adults living together in a and even in their partner’s hand in order to and waste the spade queen. The sacrifice of marvel at a 14 year old Bobby Fischer win- New York loft for three months. make proper decisions at the bridge table. the queen is certain. It would be the blood- ning the U.S. chess championship in 1958. June 10, 1992: MTV debuts the MTV On the illustrated hand, declarer must iest death of a queen since the beheading of The bridge world has never seen any Movie Awards as an alternative to the tradi- lose two tricks to the ace of diamonds and Marie-Antoinette. Declarer must try to teenager achieve that level of ability. In the ace of hearts. Therefore, the success of visualize a spade distribution where there is general top chess players reach their peak SOLUTION TO PUZZLE FROM PAGE A-11 the contract depends on holding the num- only one trump loser. The only holding is if performance level at a much younger age E N S F A C E M A C E ber of trump losers to one trick. The stan- West started with king-doubleton of than bridge players. Possibly young people A Y E A D A Y I B I D have a finer capacity to visualize the future dard way to accomplish this had there been spades. Considering West’s opening bid S E A P L A N E A S E A no bidding by the opponents, would be to which indicates the possession of at least 5 than the present and older individuals can E T T A S A D A M enter dummy and take a spade finesse. This hearts, both red aces, and the spade king, focus on the present better than the future. C E E B I C E line of play will lose only one trick when- the chance of this spade holding in West is Probably the biggest reason is that bridge P ever East holds in spades either king-dou- a surprising high 43%. Declarer could play ability requires a greater amount of experi- D I K E A L E C A R E bleton or king-tripleton. The combined the ace of trump followed by the 2 of trump ence and interactive social skills. It seems O D E S C E O A D A R chance of this occurring is 34%. and enjoy the pleasant sight of the spade that people who enjoy competitive games C E L K H A N R S T U should play chess when they are young and On this particular hand there is no chance king falling reluctantly out of the West K A P P A S A C that East will have either of these holdings. switch over to bridge as grey starts to hand on the second spade trick. Then the A T E E M E C C A North and South have a total of 27 high queen of spades will be able to win the appear in their hair. O D I C S C H E D U L E card points. West opened the bidding, so third round of spades and the contract will A I N T M O A N B A R West must have the spade king. Therefore, be successful. Professor Julian Laderman (Math and Computer Science) is a Life Master of ACBL F A D S E N I D A D O