Video-on-Trial, MuchMusic’s, uhh, ‘video critique and evaluation’ show – by which I meant the show where they rip apart recent vids – is probably my favourite show on Much, particularly now that the Nation’s Music Station no longer has any actual music videos… (oh, I know they do, I just never see any on). The over-the-top sarcasm and condescension sorta’ suits me and the comics they find to host the show are genuinely funny and spontaneous. But it’s definitely a bit of an odd show in the lineup, specifically in its parasitic relationship to its object of derision: while Much gains much of its viewership precisely from the fascination we have with celebrity and pop stars, this show profits from the now cliched role of hipster critic, making fun of all that is glossy, trashy and glitzy in contemporary pop music videos.
The big question for me is whether or not this is the state of satire and critique in contemporary culture. People, especially young ones, are so wary and tired of ‘sincere criticism’ of pop culture that perhaps Video-on-Trial’s witty takedowns are the only form of cultural commentary that are still acceptable to a generation who are rightly skeptical of the standard models of pop critique: namely, the “It was better in my day” mentality. Besides – what with Lindsay, Paris and Nicole being idolised by the young (and old), perhaps satire and comedy are the only way to get people to question their own infatuations and desires.
The thing I wonder most about is whether or not Video-on-Trial is actually the conscience of MuchMusic, the ghosts of more socially aware producers and hosts past. Is this the antidote to the House of Carters and the pretty, anorexic hosts? And, perhaps more importantly, does it work? Or is it just lip service to the ideals of social responsibility that MuchMusic purports to hold itself to?
