and other departments this proposal may concern.
***************************************************************************
By now, you may be familiar with the following proposal, but we ask that
you take the time to read through it, as changes have been made (5.25.97)
which should be recognized.
There are many complaints about MTV's lack of music as it is, but instead
of this problem being solved, there are more problems arising. We are all
aware of the fact that MTV shows a lot less music than they used to, and
we try to appreciate it when they do. However, it seems MTV's music shows
are overrun by R&B and Rap videos. Now, we realize that many people enjoy
these videos, and we are not trying to criticize this type of music, but
it seems that if the network is going to devote entire shows to this type
of music, then they should show less of it during other programs.
Also, many people have been requesting a British music program, and have
been
receiving replies stating that if such a show were to be created, then
there would have to be one for each type of music. This is obviously not
the case. Again, we come back to the example of Rap and R&B. There is
already a show devoted to R&B: Most Wanted Jams; and a show devoted to
Rap: Yo!, and yet programs have not been created for every other type of
music, have they?
If enough viewers request a certain type of show, we believe MTV should
at least take their ideas into consideration. While a few
non-music-related shows is reasonable, it seems that MTV has been invaded
by these programs. We do realize that we cannot dictate which shows
should be dropped, and replaced with music shows. However, we do have
some suggestions.
There would plenty of time slots for shows featuring Alternative music,
British music, etcetera, if certain shows were removed. Shows such as
Buzzkill, The Jenny McCarthy Show, The Dennis Rodman World Tour, Daria,
Singled Out, Idiot Savants, and others really aren't relevant to music at
all, even if there is music in the background. Also, shows like Beavis &
Butthead, Road Rules, The Real World, The Top 20 Countdown, and Most
Wanted
Jams are repeated far too often, and specials such as Spring Break
shouldn't be repeated after spring break.
In creating the British music show we long for, we have considered the
following:
I. What sort of show would this be?
II. What presenter would work best?
III. What time slot would be most appropriate?
IV. Does MTV have the budget for this show?
V. What type of audience would this appeal to?
VI. How large of an audience would have an interest in a show like this?
I. What sort of show would this be?
There are so many possibilities for this show, and it was difficult to
tally the different suggestions, but here they are, in no particular
order:
1. Call-in / mail-in request show. Viewers contact the show, and request
their favorite British music videos.
2. Top Ten Show (TOTP Clone). The videos featured would be those by the
top
ten artists on 'Top of the Pops'.
3. 120 Minutes Clone. This show would mimic '120 Minutes', but would of
course feature all British artists. It would, like 120 Min, have live
performances by current groups.
4.Video Array. This show would simply feature a mixture of various
British artists, and would, therefore, be sure to change each episode.
The videos would be old and new, released and unreleased versions, as
well as live videos from concerts, and features from MTV Unplugged. The
only qualification for the videos would be that they were British.
These are the ideas that have been suggested so far, and as more people
are inspired, we will update the list. The largest concern of a number of
people is the fact that there are British versions of music videos that
are never shown in America. This sort of show would present the
opportunity to show these videos.
II. What presenter would work best?
So far, the unanimous decision for a host has been *John Norris*. This is
because if the show were to feature interviews with groups (which is an
extremely popular idea), he has shown himself to be more than qualified
in this area. It has also been stressed that, unlike some of the current
VJs, John Norris seems more comfortable talking with the bands. However,
as some have
suggested, the presenter would have to know a thing or two about the
current
music scene in Britain. For his apparent knowledge of music, a number of
people have also suggested Matt Pinfield. Others have suggested hiring
someone
who is actually from somewhere in Great Britain.
III. What time slot would be most appropriate?
Virtually any time slot would probably be accepted by the
viewers, as
they would almost certainly be glad just to have a show like this in the
first place. However, it would be greatly appreciated if the show were to
appear in the late afternoon, so that the viewers would not have to tape
it, because of work, or school, or other engagements.
~ A perfect slot for a *one hour daily* (Mon - Fri) British music show:
after M2 but before Most Wanted Jams. Or somewhere between 6 pm and 8
pm, weeknights.
~ A perfect slot for a *two hour weekly* show would be midnight Saturday,
where ANOTHER repeat of the Top 20 is shown. C'mon, who gets up @
midnight to watch the Top 20 when they can see it both Sat & Sun
morning?!
IV. Does MTV have the budget for this show?
As was mentioned before, there are many questionable shows on MTV. If one
or more of these shows were to be dropped, their funding could then be
transferred to this new program.
V. What type of audience would this appeal to?
We believe this show would appeal to a wide range of viewers. Being that
the number of British performers now selling big in the US is steadily
climbing, we feel that the interest in this show will also start to
climb. There is such a large variety of British performers now, that even
if the music on this program were limited to British artists, the type of
music would be anything but limited. Groups like Future Sound of London
and Chemical Brothers are totally different that groups like The Stone
Roses, Oasis, or Blur, who are in turn different from Jamiroquai, Cast,
James, and Kula Shaker. Therefore, the music would still be varied, but
the viewers would also have an opportunity to hear groups that they've
never heard before, (or at least, don't hear often any more), such as the
Stone Roses, Northern Uproar, The Smiths, Smaller, and so many others.
VI. How large of an audience would have an interest in a show like this?
(add your name and/or email address if you would have an interest in this
show)
1) CS Lucas
lucaccentric@juno.com
2) Lisa Oneida
madferit@juno.com
3) Nigel Griffin
manc-chain@juno.com
4) Ash
silver.ashes@juno.com
5) Tori
torine@netzone.com
6) Rodolfo Morales
rodolfo@quik.guate.com
7) Greg Goode
MechaGreg@aol.com
8) Rhonda
s356079@cc.gettysburg.edu
9) Stephanie Fisher
smfisher@arches.uga.edu
10) Sarah Michele
BritGrrl@webtv.net
11) Allison Godard
dountgrl@netcom.ca
12) Beckie Freeman
dmf122552@enter.net
13) noel_oasis@hotmail.com
14) mahogohney
oceandreamer@better.net
15) Maria Thomas
thom8839@tao.sosc.edu
16) Melissa
kmasse@coastnet.com
17) Jessica
Oasis6723@aol.com
18) Duchess
reese@online.no
19) Samira
20) Sarah Hopley
21) Cindi
JReo847052@aol.com
22) Michele
Robbon@msn.com
We assure you that the names listed here are not the only ones interested
in this program, and this list will continue to grow as this proposal
circulates the internet.
Further suggestions:
1) During interviews, please refrain from printing captions under the
band members. Only an idiot can't understand their own language, and it
obviously offends the members themselves to think they can't be
understood. It is not only unnecessary, it is also annoying.
2) If there are live performances, don't tell the bands what song to
play. If they want to play something that hasn't been heard yet, then LET
THEM!! The band would be happy, the audience would be happy, and the show
would get higher ratings.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this proposal. We would appreciate
a response of some sort. Again, thank you; and we look forward to hearing
from you.
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