It’s possible that not every reader will remember this, but “MTV” used to stand for “Music Television.” Before YouTube was around to conjure any music video you’d want to watch on command, we’d wait endlessly in front of the TV, hoping today would be the day they’d finally play Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller” again. When the channel expanded to produce full concert shows, we got such gems as Eric Clapton‘s acoustic “Layla,” and the entirety of Nirvana‘s MTV Unplugged special, both fairly indisputable milestones along the great road that is popular music and its influences.
MTV evolved into more of a lifestyle channel over the years, home to shows like the radical documentary series 16 and Pregnant, and the episodic Scream adaptation. But now they’re bringing back music, and we old-school fans couldn’t be happier. As reported first by Mashable, Wonderland will be the network’s first weekly live music series in almost 20 years. The show will feature multiple artists, and the 10-episode debut season will kick off with Tinashe, Ty Dolla $ign, and Broods.
MTV will also host behind-the-scenes content on social media, and we do have to give them credit for almost making a swear word out of their channel icons:
Honestly, the Twitter bird really doesn’t look much like a “C.” But we take your point, MTV.
Wonderland, which thankfully has nothing whatsoever to do with the literary Alice, will be hosted by Melissa Jefferson, Rachael Finley, and Myke Wright. Just don’t call them veejays.
With all the competition online, legal and otherwise, getting back into music may be a riskier step for MTV than it seems. But if you like the sound of it, tune in Sept. 15 and show them there’s an audience.
Do you want your MTV to stay free of tunes, or do you remember the old days and want them back? Strap into your spacesuit and plant your flag in comments to let us know.
Images: MTV
