The Bronx Journal/September 2001 E N T E RTA I N M E N T A 11 MTV Revisited after 20 Years

VIRGINIA ROHAN a description of the network’s influence that They seemed to wait for Europe to experi- still holds true: ence success with its “Real World” imita- or better or worse, the television “MTV has changed the video language,” tors before jumping into the reality fray. landscape in 2001 owes much of its said Herzog, who’s now president of USA The producers of “Big Brother” and its look and feel to MTV -- which cel- Network. current sequel may insist that it’s based on ebrates its 20th birthday this week, though “Whether it’s a movie or a TV show or an a Dutch show of the same name that has it's still a long way from acting like a stodgy advertisement, there’s a new way of telling conquered Europe, but the original inspira- TV grownup. stories, a new way of communicating that I tion was surely “Real World.” Hard to believe, but it's been two decades think has really evolved. Things are defi- The challenges of “Survivor” and shows since the birth of the cable network, offi- nitely happening faster, and [MTVis] clear- like “The Mole” and “Fear Factor” also cially known as Music Television. The his- ly part of that evolution.” clearly owe a debt to “Road Rules,” MTV’s toric first cablecast, on Aug. 1, 1981, actu- MTV has also introduced a number of “docu-adventure series,” which debuted in ally had a North Jersey connection: The television and movie personalities to July 1995. That program sends strangers on launch viewing party was held at The Loft America. Let’s try not to dwell too long on Continued on page A-12 restaurant on Bergen Boulevard inFairview, Pauly Shore, but rather think with gratitude because the local cable carrier (then called of Ben Stiller, Colin Quinn, Jon Stewart, Vision Cable) was one of the few systems in Donal Logue (remember him as Jimmy the the tri-state area to carry the new network. Cab Driver in that memorable 1995 ad cam- In the years since, the network has paign?), and Michael Ian Black (a member achieved global reach, and MTV's effect on of MTV’s “The State” troupe, who now music, fashion, and culture has been well- stars in NBC’s “Ed,” as well as that net- Aug, 23 -Sept. 22 Dec. 22 -Jan. 19 April 20 -May 20 documented. work’s summer hit, “SPY TV”). Time will You may be You’re up for Opportunities But MTV has also had a profound influ- tell if current MTVshock comic Tom Green dedicated but new and for romance ence on television. The network is widely has the same staying power as these folks. you can't take exciting will develop credited with -- or blamed for -- picking up Apart from the people it discovered and on the whole world by adventures. Add some through relatives. Be care- the pace. It's hard to tell if music videos’ the effect it has had on the way television is yourself. Get help. spice to your life. ful while traveling. quick-cut edits simply predicted or reflect- made, MTV has also influenced TV’s con- Your numbers: 2, 17, 45 Your numbers: 6, 23, 32 Your numbers: 12, 23, 35 ed the world’s ever-escalating speed, or if tent. they contributed to the shortening of atten- Nowhere is this more evident than the tion spans in America and beyond. exploding reality genre. Sept. 23 -Oct. 22 Jan. 20 -Feb. 18 May 21-June 20 What’s clear is that almost immediately, Sure, CBS’s megahit “Survivor” could Someone will Your need to Be yourself, commercials began to take on the pace and trace a few branches of its roots to shows openly be excessive and you will feel of music videos. As for TV series, like “Candid Camera,” “Queen for a Day,” oppose you if will work surely attract Hollywood legend has it that one of the “That’s Incredible,” and even PBS’ land- you try to push your way against you. the right kind of attention hippest ones of the mid-Eighties, “Miami mark 1973 series “An American Family,” into his or her heart. Control yourself. this month. Vice,” began with NBC’s then-entertain- which made overnight celebrities of a clan Your numbers: 4, 22, 34 Your numbers: 3, 20, 44 Your numbers: 8, 26, 38 ment chief Brandon Ta r t i k o ff scribbling named the Louds. two words on a napkin: “MTV cops.” But the most directly influential progeni- That series may have epitomized style tor of this trend is MTV’s “The Real Oct. 23 -Nov. 21 Feb. 19 -March 20 June 21-July 22 over substance, but even today’s heaviest- World,” whichdebuted on May 21, 1992, as Don’t over- Trouble ful- Aggressive hitting dramas, like “The Sopranos,” use a 13-part “reality-based soap opera.” spend on filling your action will popular music as an integral accompani- Everything from the 24/7 camera coverage, entertain- desires? Talk cause alien- ment to the story line -- in a way that was to the slick editing, to the handsome and ment. Pamper yourself to your partner about your ation and a lack of trust. not done before MTV. diverse cast of characters can be found in without being extravagant. likes and dislikes. Build on a friendship first. A decade ago, as MTVwas celebrating its today’s reality contenders. Your numbers: 7, 18, 33 Your numbers: 9, 21, 47 Your numbers:13, 19, 29 10th birthday, Doug Herzog, MTV’s then The real stumper is why it took the broad- senior vice president of programming, gave cast networks so long to steal the genre. Nov. 22 -Dec. 21 March 21-April 19 July 23 -Aug. 22 Put the past You’ll have Don’t make behind you. to keep busy hasty deci- Build a better if you want sions if you CROSSWORD PUZZLE future for yourself and to take your mind off start seeing him or her those you love. unpleasant memories. while still involved. 1 2 3 5 6 7 9 10 11 Your numbers: 1, 29, 40 Your numbers: 5, 11, 39 Your numbers: 4, 27, 49

12 Answer on page A-12

15 ACROSS 36. Jewish month DOWN 28. Brainstorm 1. Pulver’s rank 37. Animation unit 1. Alleviate 29. Seaweed (abbr.) 38. Genghis ____ 2. No, to Ivan 31. Ms. 4. Confront 39. Alphabet 3. Chair Thompson 8. Certain spice sequence 4. Quiz answer 32. Geologic time 24 25 26 12. Sailor’s “yes” 37. Glistens 5. Dental org. periods 13. “An apple 40. Phi beta ____ 6. Site of 36. Sparked 27 33 ___...” 2 (wds.) 42. Pouch miracles electrically 14. Footnote word 44. Suit to ______7. Observed 38. Krazy ___; 34 15. Navy pilot’s (2 wds.) 8. Florida resort cartoon rig 47. Islamic holy city 41. Treaties 37 17. On the briny city 9. Stomach 43. Correct faults 18. James and 51. Like a poem muscles, for 45. Salinger girl 41 Kett 54. Agenda short 46. College course, 19. First gardener 56. “____ That a 10. French Co. for short 48 49 50 21. Average grade Shame” 11. Writer LeShan 48. Castro’s 23. Muscle 57. Lament 16. Strides country 51 27. Water barrier 58. Cocktail 20. Broadcast 49. Clothed 30. Actor Baldwin lounge network 50. Dynamic 56 58 33. Form of 59. Passing 22. Apiece beginning “to be” styles 24. Oafs 51. Stupid fellow 59 61 34. Lyric poems 60. Oklahoma 25. Part of QED 52. Circle meas. 35. Executive city 26. Andean country 53. Hoosier St. position 61. Fuss 27. Wharf 55. “Bali ___”