Gawker
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heroes
Media Employee Displays Courage(!)
The media needs heroes in these dark days. And what is more heroic than fighting off a Sex Thug, hmm? More »
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Comment by Limitedappeal: So you're saying that she beat off a sex thug? Sorry. 3 Responses | Other threads
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generations
The Youngs Will Destroy the Hills They Created
And you thought all teens and twentysomethings were shallow wastoids. Turns out they hate The Hills and other muck same as you. At least execs at MTV are hoping that's true, as they've just completely restructured based on that assumption.
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Media Crack
Is Les Moonves Being Adequately Compensated For Losing $11.7 Billion?
In your ever-gray Wednesday media column: Les Moonves can barely afford a dozen new million-dollar condos, The Daily Beast folds on freelance contracts, layoffs at MTV and TruTV, and the New York Times Co. is sick of your rumormongering. More »
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Comment by SultanaEleusis: That Les Moonves painting is missing a few pancakes. more » | Other threads
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internal memos
Departing MTV Exec's Furtive Wish: I Wanna Be On Broadway!
Brian Graden, a veteran programming executive at youth culture battle-axe MTV, has thrown in the towel after twelve years. In his goodbye memo to staffers, forwarded to us, Graden mentions an as-yet-unexplored dream: To do musical theater. Adorbs. More » -
Media Crack
Newspaper Exec Murdered For Pocket Money
In your ugly Thursday media column: a Chinese newspaper executive is brutally murdered, Sears pimps 'Good News,' John Norris picks up a new gig, and somebody's interested in the Boston Globe: More »
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Comment by Cameron L. Mitchell: Oh, John Norris. I still can't believe I ran into him near his apartment in the EV while he was... 2 Responses | Other threads
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introductions
'Bruno' Gets Up Close and Personal With Eminem
It's generally a pretty safe assumption that something ridiculous will happen each year at The MTV Movie Awards, and tonight's version of the show did not disappoint. Sacha Baron Cohen just descended bare-assed from the ceiling as "Bruno" and landed in Eminem's lap in the "69" position. Hilarity ensued. More » -
Media Crack
Journalism Needs Heavily Armed Heroes
In your foggy Monday media column: Reporters in peril. Institutions crumbling. David Denby and Dan Abrams to the rescue! More »
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Comment by souldecirce: David Denby's name is penicillin to my bacteria. I cannot, cannot read his film reviews. Also, please say you're joking about... 2 Responses | Other threads
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rumormonger
MTV's Freelance Slave Trade
Last year, MTV really screwed over its freelancers, delaying their paychecks and even hoarding charity stipends. This year, we hear, it's firing some so as not to pay benefits, and making them train replacements. More »
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By Ryan TateComment by Perhaps Not: Folksy Sex Troll: A question for a servicey type: if, hypothetically, I was a "permalancer" - someone who had been employed by a... 2 Responses | Other threads
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trade roundup
Resurrections, Just in Time for Easter
Nicole Kidman and Woody Allen join forces, cable ratings are up, the Kennedys get a conservative treatment, Ian Somerhalder is back, and, just maybe, so is Jesus. More »
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Media Crack
Is Viacom Screwing its Vendors?
In your rumormongering Thursday media column: rumors of layoffs and shenanigans at Viacom and Sesame Street (updated), Felix Salmon jumps the Fort Polio ship, Jay Carney flackery, and a journalism grad is broken: More »
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Comment by MrInBetween: Jay Carney's secret: He was swept up in Bidenmania. 2 Responses | Other threads
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advertising
You Shag Madonna, You Shagged Vanilla Ice
MTV is using rock stars and their super-sluttiness to teach all Brazilians about safe sex. Thanks, Madonna and Mick Jagger, you sluts! And thanks to everyone you screwed, as well. More »
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Comment by Rumpelstilskin: There was a hilarious web site of three or four rock groupies who rated the sexual talents and endowments of... 7 Responses | Other threads
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music videos
What If We Don't Want Our YouTube TV?
The record labels like to think they built MTV — and have been punishing every new idea for promoting music since. That self-defeating dynamic could destroy a nascent YouTube partnership between Google and Universal Music. More »
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By Owen ThomasComment by SandhayaHammer: Wrong wrong wrong. MTV is irrelevant, not the form. As someone who's been involved with music videos for the past... 2 Responses | Other threads
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money
Send Us Your Riches-to-Rags Recession Stories
Can you no longer afford your lifestyle ever since the economy went out for a pack of cigarettes and never came back? Well then, MTV's True Life would like to talk to you. More »
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Comment by Smitros: I may have a story in a month or two, if the other shoe drops. In the mean time, that picture's... 6 Responses | Other threads
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mtv
Just How Uncomfortable Does MTV's 'How's Your News?' Make You Feel?
In a few days, you'll be able to tune in to MTV and follow a group of mentally challenged individuals exploring America in a bus, and it has nothing to do with Road Rules. More » -
feuds
TV Guide Takes Active Steps To Imagine A World Without 'Bromance'
Back when everyone in America was doing coke and playing Galaga, TV Guide was the only game in town for television schedules. Now, we all have set-top boxes, and TV Guide is pissed. More » -
poop
MTV Exec's Gift Of Feces Yet Another Sign Of Hollywood Cutbacks
If you think your company's stingy holiday offerings were lame... More » -
rumormonger
Did Someone Send This MTV Exec a Box of Poop?
Joe Cuello is MTV's VP of "Creative Music Integration." He chooses what music goes into their fine reality shows. He "Makes The Hills Rock"(!). Why would someone send the nice man a box of poop? More »
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Comment by Hydroceph: Sad but true story: back when i still had a rowing coach (when i could still play well with others),... 9 Responses | Other threads
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real world brooklyn
'Real World: Brooklyn' Addresses Every Letter Of The LGBT Alphabet
You knew this, but there's a shitload of Queer in the real world: Gays, Protogays, Ex-Gays, Don't Ask Don't Tells, and M2Fs have all been accounted for in MTV's Real World: Brooklyn. More » -
emily brill
"My handwriting is cryptic and so am I."
We got this sweet picture of media heiress and ultimate narrator Emily Brill looking fancy on New Year's Eve. So as an excuse to run it, let's hear Emily's analysis of MTV's The City: More »
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Comment by GirlyWhirl: That is a photo of a 65 year old woman and I refuse to accept suggestions to the contrary. 14 Responses | Other threads
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disasters
Time Warner Cable To Lose Comedy Central, MTV In Viacom Spat
From New York to Los Angeles, Viacom channels like Comedy Central are set to flicker off cable systems in the first minute of 2009. Sumner Redstone's desperation finally impacted your life! More »
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By Ryan TateComment by SpacePope: Okay, Comedy Central is a loss. But MTV lost the last shred of music on that channel in, what,... 4 Responses | Other threads
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bromance
'Bromance': It Begins With Morning Wood, And It Ends In Tears
Last night, MTV started its new "Brody Jenner finds a friend" series Bromance in the way many had anticipated: with a loving homage to the naked, hooded dehumanization perfected at Abu Ghraib. -
creative underclass
MTV Pays $500 Guilt Bonus To Screwed-Over Bloggers
MTV tacked on a $500 stocking stuffer to the final paychecks of those charity bloggers it was avoiding paying. Could it be the raunchy Viacom network believes in God? Or at least karma? More »
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By Ryan TateComment by i'm a bottle: I don't really know what to think of MTV and their applying for grants. Aren't their more worthy people... 6 Responses | Other threads
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scandal
MTV Admits 'Mismanagement' of Charity-Project Pay, Apologizes
MTV claims checks are in the mail to the "citizen journalists" it really didn't want to pay, even though it got a big charity grant on their behalf. The network feels just terrible. More »
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By Ryan TateComment by I like Bristol Cities: the system works, thanks to Gawker's help! p.s. that Sara is kinda cute in that photo 1 Responses | Other threads
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scandal
Whistleblower: MTV Sweatshop Sponsored by Charity
An MTV "citizen journalist," Erica Anderson, has gone public to describe "grueling" work conditions on a charity-sponsored project, and to confirm what anonymous coworkers told us Friday: The network isn't paying project staff.
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By Ryan TateComment by drunkexpatwriter: See, this just strikes me as bad business in the long term. As the economy continues to sputter, companies are... 5 Responses | Other threads
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creative underclass
Is MTV Hoarding Charity Cash From Workers?
Following our request for information yesterday, we heard from a good number of freelancers who said MTV was stiffing them on paychecks. Including people MTV got charity money to support. More »
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By Ryan TateComment by oneinsixbillion: One wrote that paychecks used to be paid promptly, but got cut later and later as 2008 wore on. Then,... 4 Responses | Other threads
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awards
'Twilight' Lady-Pandering Earns MTV 'Patronizers of the Year' Award
Where most media have moved on from courting Twilight fans, MTV has one remaining drop of profit to wring from the condescension flood. To wit, Twilight More » -
rumormonger
Is MTV Stiffing Freelancers On Christmas Paychecks?
Freelancers: Is MTV slow paying your recent invoices? Because one tipster tells us the Viacom subsidiary followed hundreds of layoffs with a policy to freeze outgoing payments October through January. More »
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By Ryan TateComment by Connie Lee: I interned for MTV this summer (not at 1515 Broadway, however, if that makes a difference) and was paid promptly... 3 Responses | Other threads
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field guide
Ricky Van Veen
MTV has confirmed its wacky plans to give a TV show to the young men behind CollegHumor.com. What a good time to review all we know about CollegeHumor boss Ricky Van Veen! More »
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Comment by TheHonJudgeSmails: Do you guys get paid extra to handle these unfunny dipshits with kid gloves? 27 Responses | Other threads
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john norris
John Norris A Victim Of MTV Layoffs?
The 850 layoffs at Viacom today—including hundreds at MTV—are claiming the livelihoods of tons of hardworking people who did their jobs well without ever receiving fame and fortune. And just like when a jumbo jet crashes with hundreds of souls aboard, the first question is: "Were any celebrities involved?" You know you were thinking that, you heartless swine. Well (according to an unconfirmed rumor from an inside tipster), your third-favorite MTV correspondent-for-life, John Norris, was laid off today. After the jump, we've got other reports from the Viacom scene. More » -
viacom
The Dreaded Viacom Layoffs: 850 People
The long-feared Viacom pre-post holiday layoffs are here, and they're not pretty. We heard earlier that as many as 300 layoffs might be coming at MTV today, but the total, Viacom-wide numbers are even worse: 850 people are being cut, about 7% of the company's global staff. And top management is "suspending salary increases" next year, if it makes you peons feel any better. The full internal memo that went out this morning is after the jump; if you know more about the specific breakdown of the layoffs, email us. UPDATES: additional memos from MTV and Paramount added below:
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Comment by misslinda: Wow, 850 people right before the holidays, that is harsh. You know what's a better time to lay off 850... 7 Responses | Other threads
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layoffs roundup
MTV Closing Rhapsody Office
- RealNetworks and Viacom subsidiary MTV closed down the entire New York office of their joint Rhapsody America online music venture, a tipster tells us, sending the roughly 25 staffers packing, albeit with severance. A lone Rhapsody staffer transferred to RealNetworks' New York office. The service will continue operating, via Real's west coast offices.
- The same tipster said more Viacom cuts are coming today. Someone else told us previously that MTV would lay off around 300 today.
- CNBC is said to be laying off up to 80 staff as soon as today, its first cuts under the $500 million cost reduction announced by parent NBC in October. [Post]
- NBC Universal cut about 30 people in advertising support and research nationwide, sparing staff at its successful cable networks. [TV Week]
- We're told, anonymously, that the Arizona Republic, Gannett's second-biggest newspaper, laid off 20 or more newsroom staff.
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By Ryan TateComment by pantallicarox: I work at another Gannett Newspaper (The News-Star) and we laid off about 10 people today. It was a nation... more » | Other threads
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mtv
Three Hundred Layoffs At MTV Thursday?
Chatter about big layoffs at Viacom and its MTV unit have been in the air for weeks, with firings at the latter recently expected Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Hell, the bloodletting may already have begun. But the latest gossip says the worst is yet to come: A gobsmacking 300 people coast to coast let go by the end of the week, one tipster claims. Higher level staff supposedly get their briefings Wednesday. It will be interesting to hear whether the company takes this opportunity to visit vengeance on the mistreated permalancers who embarrassed the company so badly last winter. We're ready to listen! -
one more time
Britney: For The Record: 'People Shave Their Heads Every Day'
I watched two documentaries last night. The first was Frontline's famous 2001 essay "The Merchants of Cool," about the big, cynical business of marketing to young ones. It particularly focuses on MTV and how they, with definitively ugly success, figured out a way to throw advertising at kids without the kids really noticing. Then I watched that network's unveiling of Britney: For the Record, a supposed "tell-all" featuring Britney Spears, the smeared and unfocused pop star, that was, in my opinion, the acme (or nadir, not sure which) of this sneakily integrated marketing strategy. Here was not just the party, not the curious almost-normalness of Ms. Spears, not her childish funny voices, not even just her well-guarded children. No, here was something deeply sad—a bit haunting, a bit evocative—but nonetheless blatantly selling a new album and some chintzy perfumes. It was an infomercial asking us to, in some ways, buy a wayward young person. It was strange and vaguely interesting and I'll talk a bit more about it after the jump. More »
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Comment by 1Gether: I was so interested in the body language she displayed in her backstage meeting with Madonna. She was cool and... 6 Responses | Other threads
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marketing
Obama Ushers In Regrettable MTV Revival
In 1992, suave Billy Clinton was sexin' the nation and wearin' boxers, and MTV had a big ole inaugural ball that was reportedly the hottest ticket in DC, even though Don Henley was the main act, which just goes to show once again that political people are really not cool when you get right down to it. But during the Bush years MTV had no inaugural balls, because Bush was so non-embodying of the Music Television vibe, you know? Well now Barack Obama is president and MTV is once again having a big cool inaugural ball! This is the single worst consequence of Barack Obama's election. [Ad Age; pic via]
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Comment by Weegee's bored: I was just (like,15 minutes ago), reading a New Yorker piece about the election and learned that the Obama campaign... 2 Responses | Other threads
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layoffs
MTV Layoff Rumormonger
Rumors have been floating around for the last month that Viacom is planning a big round of layoffs. The latest: we hear that MTV is planning one round of cuts for early December, and another in January. Both would technically miss the holiday, making them appear slightly less Scrooge-like. If you have any details (or denials), email us.
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Comment by misslinda: MTV is so not relevant anymore unless you're a tween from the midwest. 2 Responses | Other threads
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and now it's dead
Screaming Goodbye To Total Request Live
Do you feel that tingly spark in the air today, especially as you near Times Square? It's because Total Request Live, MTV's long-running afterschool music video special is coming to an end after ten years, signing off on Sunday with a special big send-off bash. Yes, one of the last remaining programs on the cable net to still air videos (albeit at truncated lengths and often interrupted by shrieking teenagers) will be no more, ceding like everything else to the Date My Moms and Hills of the world. Ironic, because in some ways, actually, the top 10 videos of the day countdown show helped create the new MTV landscape that eventually came to usurp it. More »
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Comment by Steverino Begins: I think TRL should end with a camera shot from inside the studio looking through the window at the crying... 4 Responses | Other threads
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jackpot
Rock Band creators get $300 million rock-star bonus
Eran Egozy and Alex Rigopulos, the MIT-educated creators of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, have earned a $150 million bonus from Viacom, whose MTV unit bought the game. The pair are on track to earn an even bigger bonus in 2009. (Photo by Newsweek/John Huet)
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By Paul BoutinComment by sample032: Fuck this shit. Some of us can actually play a guitar. 4 Responses | Other threads
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viacom
Ominous Viacom Memo: Need To 'Dramatically' Reduce Spending
Rumors of pending layoffs at Viacom have been floating around for weeks now. The media conglomerate is in terrible debt, and just yesterday announced that it's canceling its holiday parties from coast to coast. Today, a tipster has sent us an internal memo from Bob Bakish, the head of MTV Networks, that grimly alludes to "unprecedented economic challenges" that have caused a hiring freeze, and will affect spending "dramatically" through the entire coming year. Will the company start off the new year with a round of layoffs? Eminently possible. Bakish's full internal email, after the jump: More »
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Comment by Zorica: I got an email with "IMPORTANT" in the subject line this morning too. It was a link to a... 10 Responses | Other threads
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barack obama
Youth To Pull Up Pants For Obama!
Barack Obama did an interview with yesterday with Sway, MTV's official friendly ambassador from the land of hip hop. A viewer asked him about towns that try to pass laws banning baggy pants. First Obama said those laws are a "waste of time." But then he added, "brothers should pull up your pants!" Is Barack Obama a fashion icon, or your grumpy old dad—or is he both?!?! [UPDATE: Clip of the interview below!]: More »
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Comment by ineffable.me: No one wants to see anyone's underwear. The baggy pants law should have a super low rise jean for girls... 14 Responses | Other threads
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online advertising
Viacom turns MySpace bootlegs into an advertunity
A year ago, Viacom sued YouTube for one billion dollars, claiming YouTube was not blocking uploads of copyrighted Viacom material from Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1 and others. Today, MySpace will join YouTube in running ads targeted to Viacom-owned clips, instead of deleting them. Auditude, a Palo Alto startup, provides the software that identifies Viacom-owned content. Remember when musicians believed all advertising was evil? Now, I'm looking forward to seeing a Big & Rich ad targeted against another Big & Rich ad, overlaid by another Big & Rich ad for a Big & Rich ad I haven't seen yet. Collect them all!
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By Paul BoutinComment by Uncle-Sam's Littlle Helper: Thanks! I tried to write you back on MySpace, but my network is running so slow because of all... more » | Other threads
mtv
New York, 1:02 PM
Sat Jul 11
36 posts in the last 24 hours
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