mar 27
2007
Subterranean
Subterranean (the show that replaced 120 Minutes on MTV2) has started a blog. Could be one to watch.
6 comments
Although I suspect most of the world gave up on it, I still watch Subterranean every week. Here's what's fun about watching it: it's so easy to imagine how it could be better.
posted by rex at 11:31 PM on March 26, 2007 
Dear Rex: actually, over the last year the ratings for Subterranean have gotten much better - in fact, we broke our all-time ratings record twice.
We're intrigued, however...do tell us your thoughts on how it could be better.
posted by Subterranean at 9:10 AM on March 27, 2007
The Gauntlet has been thrown. Now fight to the death!
posted by taulpaul at 11:32 AM on March 27, 2007
I miss 120 minutes... sigh.
posted by Ariel Waldman at 1:33 PM on March 27, 2007
So, since this is apparently the place to do it (?), I'll suggest the following: (1) It would be great to never see the same video two weeks in a row. Everyone who is watching this is time-shifting anyway, so if they want to see the video again, they can just play it back again, right? Go into the archives if necessary, just avoid repetition. (2) Make the IDs (artist/title/etc) a little less conspicuous and move them to the lower left-hand corner. It's been done that way forever because it's not as annoying to do it that way. Better still, throw up a title card before the video or something, just stop blocking the screen. And stop throwing up that "You are watching Subterranean" graphic in the middle of the video. Because we know. And get rid of the enormous two-headed dog (we know, not possible). (3) I saw that Sean Lennon/Bijou Phillips video one night and it was squished to 1.33, so everyone looked really skinny and the guitar had an oval-shaped hole in it...this was weird. Maybe not your fault, but try your best to run things at the right aspect ratio. (4) If you haven't already, just stop playing that Sean Lennon/Bijou Phillips video altogether. It's easier that way. (5) Ditching the host and interviews is good (they were always painful and pointless anyway), so stick with that. (6) No more Klaxons clips either. With all this effing around, "The Dive" actually starts to look like a viable alternative. Play videos! (7) No more barfing glow worms--this isn't Wonder Showzen! Hey Rex, this is really easy!
posted by dekadetia at 8:27 PM on March 27, 2007
Ok, thank you for your input - now for some replies:
1. We have actually reduced the amount of times we play the same videos overall, but since every person doesn't watch every show every week and the record labels that make these videos would be quite displeased with one play that is not going to be possible. TiVo or DVR and fast forward is my advice. Now that we don't have host segments about half the videos in the hour each week are new.
2. It is my fondest wish that we put the song chyrons back in a normal place and stop running the "You Are Watching Subterranean" message. Unfortunately that is standard MTV2 formatting and we all have to make due with it. If it is truly irritating to you, like the repetitive videos, then I recommend watching the show on MTV.com on Monday mornings. We post a link to it on the blog each week. Then there are no screen interruptions and you get to watch the parts you want only, but you will get some commercials.
3. That's how Sean Lennon wanted it.
4. Again, fast forward.
5. & 6. Visit http://altmusictv.blogspot.com/ and there are dozens of people who disagree with you...so we're just trying to negotiate through that maze...
7. LOL
posted by Subterranean at 9:28 AM on March 28, 2007
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