With Millennial pandering and ’90s nostalgia at an all-time high, it makes perfect sense that this week saw the start of MTV Classic, replacing the channel VH1 Classic (which was probably trying to do the same exact thing. Ouch).
Launching exactly 35 years to the day after MTV first aired, the new network kicked off on Aug. 1 by broadcasting MTV’s first hour on the air, starting with The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Besides music videos and shows Unplugged and Total Request Live, MTV Classic will air reruns of animated series like Beavis & Butt-Head, Daria and Clone High, reality shows like The Real World, Pimp My Ride and Jackass and even some old VH1 standbys like Pop-Up Video and Behind the Music.
Of course, MTV’s original purpose and distinction in 1981 was its 24-hour music video programming, interrupted only by commercials and occasional VJ segments. But by the end of the decade, additional programs like House of Style, Remote Control and Club MTV were already in heavy rotation. No word yet on whether those early series will make an appearance.
And to anyone over a certain age that’s rolling his or her eyes over the concept of reliving the recent pop culture past, let us never forget about the 1996 introduction of TV Land.
WEDNESDAY 03
Botched by Nature (Series Premiere, 9 p.m., E!) – The Botched docs hit the road, moving beyond those with cosmetic surgery gone wrong to help people plagued by abnormalities due to genetics, disease or traumatic accidents.
Mr. Robot (10 p.m., USA) – Elliot gets sucked into the game; Dom travels to China with the FBI to investigate the 5/9 attack; Portia turns to Angela for help; Joanna is haunted.
THURSDAY 04
Nick Cannon: Wild ’N Out (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., MTV) – MTV is really throwing it back this week, huh? This relaunch of the sketch comedy show is part of a new Thursday night lineup on the channel, including improv comedy Joking Off at 10:30 p.m. and docuseries Kingin’ with Tyga at 11 p.m.
FRIDAY 05
David Cross: Making America Great Again! (Premiere, Netflix) – If only Tobias Fünke was running for president.
2016 Rio Olympic Games Opening Ceremony (8 p.m., NBC) – Amid much controversy surrounding Brazil’s government, pollution and safety concerns, the Zika virus and Russia’s doping scandal, the Summer Olympics kick off in Rio de Janeiro, marking the first Olympic Games in South America and also a record number of participating countries and sports.
SUNDAY 07
The Night Of (9 p.m., HBO) – Naz’s side of the story is checked out when Detective Box pieces together his whereabouts on the night of Andrea’s murder.
Ballers (10 p.m., HBO) – Charles learns the truth from Siefert; Spencer and Joe try to find Andre’s Achilles’ heel; Jason wines and dines a client; Vernon nervously awaits news.
Vice Principals (10:30 p.m., HBO) – Russell and Gamby see homecoming as an opportunity to crush Dr. Brown.
TUESDAY 09
Animal Kingdom (Season Finale, 9 p.m., TNT) – As Baz tracks down clues to find Catherine, the feds close in on the Cody family.
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Los Angeles Rams (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., HBO) – The NFL version of Bug Juice: My Summer at Camp.
Black Market With Michael K. Williams (10 p.m., VICELAND) – Drug addicts in the U.K. shoplift food and everyday necessities to sell back to poor families in London.
CONTACT JAC KERN: letters@citybeat.com
This article appears in Aug 3-10, 2016.