161. 📰Nostalgia Test News Oct. 2025 MTV’s Cultural Impact Part 1: Music Videos

Dan, Manny, & Billy talk about the recent shutting down of MTV music channels in the UK and what that means for the future of MTV, while putting some iconic music videos that aired on MTV in the 80s and 90s to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!

“MTV created culture.” -Manny

After hearing about MTV music channels being shut down in the UK after 40 years, the guys had to call an audible and to talk about what they think this means for the future of MTV, music videos, and the cultural impact that MTV had on pop-culture. They also talk about what this means for MTV in the US? The episode then dives into a celebration of iconic music videos that aired in MTV from the 80s and 90s, like Michael Jackson's “Thriller,” Beastie Boys' “Sabotage,” Peter Gabriel's “Sledgehammer,” and Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf.” There’s also the classic Nostalgia Test Podcast tangents, Billy’s hot take about Pearl Jam, and so much more.

This is part 1 of a series on MTV, so stay tuned for episodes on TRL and Carson Daly, MTV2, Beavis & Butthead, and everything else MTV.

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Approximate Rundown

00:00 MTV Shuts Down in UK and Europe

01:07 Corporate Restructuring and Layoffs

03:44 MTV's Shift to Reality TV

05:11 The Decline of Music Videos

06:33 Nostalgic Memories of MTV

09:25 Impact of Technology on Social Interaction

11:29 Driving and Navigation in the Digital Age

15:05 The Evolution of Music Videos

20:30 Iconic Music Videos and Their Legacy

36:10 MTV Music Awards and Controversies

47:16 Hilarious Movie Quotes and Intro Discussion

48:04 Running Out of Gas Stories

49:59 Michael Jackson's Transformation and Movie Theater Scene

54:41 Iconic Music Videos and Their Impact

01:15:09 MTV's Influence on Culture and Reality TV

01:28:29 Conclusion and Future Episodes

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The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected