Gen X Guide To The Universe

Heather and Jameson talk about the black artists that broke the color barrier in the early days of MTV, as the network was hella white when launched as a “rock-oriented” channel.

Jameson apologizes for accusing J.J. Jackson of plastic surgery and instead offers some more history on this incredible VJ (https://tinyurl.com/vnavam2y).

The Gen Xperts discuss the influential role of the Billie Jean video by Michael Jackson (https://tinyurl.com/ynkzhtdu) in getting more airplay for artists of color, and how both Rick James and David Bowie were super vocal about the lack of diversity in the early days of MTV (article on Bowie and James: https://tinyurl.com/3cj9thxy).

Jameson uncovers who or what a “Billie Jean” is (https://tinyurl.com/k5ufw43r) and both lament over the genius that was Whitney.  For next week, watch the Thriller video, all thirteen minutes.

Since MTV moved towards youth pop culture and away from music, Heather and Jameson take a break from their detailed and scientific historical analysis to watch current MTV programming, Catfish. Broadway baby Julie is back as the first guest star of season three to weigh in on the latest season of the hard-hitting investigative reality show Catfish (https://tinyurl.com/y67z2pt9).

Spoiler: Heather and Julie miss Max. Jameson explains the origins of the word catfish in “noodling” and makes everyone watch the 1983 music video “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics.

For next week, read how Whitey McWhiteron MTV in the early 1980s become more inclusive and the artists who broke the color barrier on the channel: https://tinyurl.com/pahrk45x

When launched in 1981, MTV’s format was akin to a top 40s radio station with video jockeys or VJs. This week, Heather and Jameson discuss the original VJs: Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson and Martha Quinn (watch the Ultrasound episode here https://tinyurl.com/6nbc8h9m and check out where they are now: https://tinyurl.com/3adwpp).

Heather also forces Jameson to watch Peter Gabriel’s 1986 Sledgehammer music video (https://tinyurl.com/vdmb2uj), which delighted Heather and her camp friends between rounds of foursquare and currently caused Jameson a seizure. Jameson ventures out on a flea market crawl for jarts while the duo takes a wrong turn into some new male-oriented sexual terms for Heather.

Your homework for next week is to catch up on the latest season of Catfish (https://www.mtv.com/shows/catfish-the-tv-show). And remember, a drunk lifeguard is just a drunk person in the water.

This week, Heather and Jameson explore the first ten videos played when MTV launched in August of 1981 (MTVs very first music videos: https://tinyurl.com/4vktrc44).

Our favorite Gen Experts are equally appalled by creepy Rod Stewart’s mint green onesie and agree that Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders is the best video and song first aired on MTV. Sadly, most of the other first videos were sad concert videos akin to crappy lawn seats. Heather breaks down the 1989 video Cherish by Madonna (https://tinyurl.com/3sfh2xbn) and laments over sexy artisanal mermen and the fact that she can’t pull off a pixie haircut.

For next week, check out this Ultrasound episode from MTV on the original VJs: https://tinyurl.com/6nbc8h9m

Welcome to middle age, MTV!

 Heather and Jameson are back for season three, people. In this episode, they celebrate the birthdays of two legends: MTV and Chuck Page. Join your favorite Gen X podcast hosts as they begin to explore MTV from the original format in the early 1980s (like a radio station where you can see the music) to the current youth-oriented pop culture dumpster fire of today (Jersey Shore and Teen Mom, wtf).

 So “tune in” and find out if video really did kill the radio star, and watch the first MTV video here: https://tinyurl.com/ds7c6kup. (and for more details on the Moon Person, check out this article: https://tinyurl.com/48tnu8zf).

Heather and Jameson are back with season three on August 1st to celebrate MTV as she turns 40!

Heather and Jameson wrap up the Brunch Club season this week! Lauren stops by to suggest details for the Selleck Sexiness Season, Julie dazzles us all with her rendition of a Dirty Dancing song, Hallie soothes Jameson with her grocery list (Land O Lakes, yellow, sliced thin), Eddie reviews the cinematic masterpiece that is Cats, and we have storytime with Chuck Page. Jameson offers his dream role for Denzel and Heather finally gets her ideas for the Gen X OnlyFans account. Don’t be sad superfans, Heather and Jameson will return this summer to welcome MTV to middle age as the channel turns 40!

Getting meta in The Brunch Club season this week as Heather and Jameson explore the 1985 film The Breakfast Club. Heather’s hometown buddy Emma joins in on the conversation, as she and Heather watched this film pretty much every weekend during adolescence and Emma can quote this film line for line. The gang determines this film does not age well (hello, sexual harassment and bullying!) and share out their recast for 2021. Jameson proves he finally knows his Morgan Freemans, but thinks Sophie Turner is a stork. Check out the latest “Listen to this Shit” here: https://tinyurl.com/rjyevfpm

As Heather and Jameson wind down season two, they are joined by super guest star Eddie Jones, former Elder Millennial turned Bigfoot Skeptic, in this very special episode all about Bigfoot. Jameson is the resident expert on all things Bigfoot, though this episode was in no way fact-checked, so proceed at your own risk. So toss on your best Ghillie suit, get out in the woods literally anywhere, practice your Bigfoot call, “tune in” and learn everything you wanted or did not want to know about the elusive Sasquatch.

We’re gonna live forever, baby, remember our names….Gen Experts Heather and Jameson are joined this week by the insufferable, er, incomparable broadway baby, Julie as they watch Fame, both the 1980 original and the 2009 remake. Everyone agrees Bruno’s cheerleader dad is a nugget, Jameson gets off task and just wants to interview people, Heather again tries to get #GetLarry trending, and Julie dazzles everyone with her flute skills. No, seriously, girl can play! And no, Jameson, no one is interested in a “verbal raw dog”. Also, read more about Jimmy Carter here: https://tinyurl.com/4knvs5xe.