One Small Step (August 1, 1981-May 14, 1984)
Nicknames: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll"
ID: We see some footage of Apollo 11 launching into space and Neil Armstrong stepping out, leading to images of Neil Armstrong putting up a flag. The flag says MTV: Music Television and the logo on the flag changes different colors.
Trivia: This is essentially a truncated version of MTV's first sign-on sequence from August 1, 1981; the main difference, aside from it being shorter, is the absence of a voiceover.
Variant: A much shorter version exists.
FX/SFX: A mix of live-action footage and photomontage by Perpetual Motion Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Apollo 11 blasting off, followed by beeping and a rock theme composed by Jonathan Elias.
Music/Sounds Variants:
- A prototype version of this ID played Neil Armstrong's "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" quote before the rock theme. This was never used on air due to MTV needing permission from Neil to use the quote.
- During MTV's launch, John Lack (executive vice president of Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment) said "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll" before the rock theme.
- The short version uses a different synth theme.
Availability: Extinct.
Editor's Note: This is a favorite of many, as it was the very first ident shown on MTV.
Electric Wet (August 1981-1987)
ID: Amongst some thunder clouds, we see a giant metallic MTV logo slowly rising from a pool of water. As it does this, thunderbolts strike the logo. When it rises to stationary position, a bolt wipes across below it to reveal "Music Television" in yellow.
FX/SFX: A mix of live-action and 2D by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A hard rock jingle and various thunder claps.
Availability: Extinct.
Jackson Pollack (August 1981-1987)
ID: On a white background, a man shown from below paints the word "TV" in yellow on the screen. He then adds some yellow flourishes and pours blue paint to form an "M", which obscures him, and "MUSIC TELEVISION" appears below the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: Painting sounds.
Availability: Extinct.
Sammie Buys It (October 1981-1987)
ID: A girl on a street with a blank MTV logo on it licks her finger, and spits out some gum. Then, the girl screams and runs away from a coming car. Then, a man steps on the gum and forms "TV" on the logo, and as we pan up, the litter pushes down the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A licking sound, followed by a bunch of sound effects.
Availability: Extinct.
Freddie Buys It (October 1981)
ID: On the same background as the "Sammie Buys It" ID, a man (Fred Seibert, founder of Fred/Alan) stands next to the already formed MTV logo, picking his nose and sticking it on the trademark ("TM") symbol. He holds his other hand out to show the finished product, only to be hit by an oncoming car, leaving him squished onto the logo. The same car backs up and squishes him once more before driving away.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A pop sound, a car screech when the car enters the screen, and a squish sound for when Fred gets hit by the car.
Availability: Extinct. This ID was only shown once at a party celebrating Fred Seibert becoming vice president of MTV.
Pre-Christmas Card (December 1981-1987)
ID: We see the MTV logo (with the "M" in green and "TV" in a candy cane pattern) buried in snow. Then two angels holding guitars fly into the scene, with one of them plugging a cord into the logo, which turns into an amplifier and flashes. Another angel with a drum set flies down as they continue playing.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Perpetual Motion Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A normal-sounding instrumental version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" that turns into a rock version when the angels plug in their guitars.
Availability: Extinct; only shown during Christmastime.
Post-Christmas Card (December 1981-1987)
ID: It begins with "Pre-Christmas Card", starting at the angels plugging a cord into the logo. The logo shakes and an explosion happens, revealing a yellow background and the MTV logo wearing a party hat and party blower, which it blows.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Perpetual Motion Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A rock-sounding instrumental version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" that is followed by rumbling and and some New Year noises, followed by a party blower sound.
Availability: Extinct; only shown on New Year's Day.
Happy New Year (December 1981-1987)
ID: As an animated countdown occurs, we see the MTV logo descending from a skyscraper elevator. Once it reaches one, the logo crashes to the bottom in an explosion as the white text "Happy New Year!" appears as confetti flies around.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A crowd counting down from ten before screaming "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" and blowing into horns.
Availability: Extinct; only shown during the tail end of New Year's Eve.
Blue and Green (1981-1986)
ID: Against a space-like backdrop, a yellow M flies to the center and flashes. Just then, a blue "TV" appears near it that suddenly turns green and enlargens. It turns back to normal as the orange words "Music Television" appear from center and position below the logo, also flashing.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A jamming rock tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Cats in a Cemetery (1981-1987)
ID: On a blue background, we see a blank square tombstone surrounded by grass. Seven cats with red, yellow, and pink stripes jump over the tombstone. An eighth cat collides with the tombstone and they merge into an MTV logo.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A bunch of cats meowing with wind blowing, and a bashful trumpet sound at the end.
Availability: Extinct.
Cuckoo Clock (1981-1986)
ID: A cuckoo clock is shown in someone's bedroom ticking away until a cartoon bird wearing a hat, boots, and sunglasses pops out and plays a riff on the guitar. He goes back in where a pink and green MTV logo is shown in place of the door.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: The clock ticking, followed by the bird playing the guitar. During this, a male announcer says "All day, all night, the music never stops. MTV: Music Television."
Availability: Extinct.
Ducks & Bunnies (1981-1987)
ID: On a pink background, we see several yellow ducks and blue bunnies that briefly flash into the MTV logo. The logo then appears through a burst of flame and multiple white slashes. The background changes to red as the logo is filled with splashing water, has white wings and several geometrical shapes appear near it. Finally, the background switches to purple as an outline of the logo appears with laser zaps hitting it, turning it blue and red as various microsopic creatures appear behind it.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Same as "Blue and Green".
Availability: Extinct.
Elephant (1981-1987)
ID: On a field background, we see a pink elephant trumpet. It sucks some yellow flowers in front of it with its trunk, revealing the words "MUSIC TELEVISION", and blows its trunk, making the letters "TV" in yellow with green spots come out as it morphs into the "M", completing the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A stock elephant trumpet with ambient nature sounds in the background.
Availability: Extinct.
M-O-Matic (1981-1987)
ID: A satire of 1950s era television commercials in which various MTV logo take the place of the products in a fast paced display.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Several male voice-overs advertising the products and a 50's era organ jingle.
Availability: Extinct.
M Rocks (1981-1987)
ID: A man chips a triangle into a chiseled square on a mountain using what appears to be a golf club. He gets off the square and chips a hole at its bottom, making an "M". He puts the letters "TV" on the "M", then falls off the mountain, revealing "MUSIC TELEVISION" behind some rocks.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: The man chiseling into the M, and a snatch sound when he gets down the M and puts the letters on it, then the man yelling and a crash.
Availability: Extinct.
M-T Room (1981-1987)
ID: In a black and white room, a television set with the MTV logo in it zooms out from the screen a few times to the music; each time it stops, a cartoon explosion effect occurs. After the fourth time, the TV transforms into the M as it rotates toward us. The logo then fully forms, the background turning completely black when it does.
FX/SFX: 2D animation against a live-action background. Done by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A laid back rock jingle that concludes with a guitar sting once the logo is done.
Availability: Extinct.
Stereo History (1981-1987)
ID: A history lesson on stereo audio, from stereoscopy to grammophones to the more modern stereo television. A grey and red MTV logo then appears on a blue background.
FX/SFX: Cut-out animation by Jerry Lieberman Productions.
Music/Sounds: An announcer says "First, there was stereo viewing. And, there was stereo recording. And now, stereo TV! MTV: Music Television." Each time the announcer mentions the types of audio, the characters are heard yelling "WOW!"
Availability: Extinct.
Swick (1981-1987)
ID: We see the MTV logo on a wooden platform atop a green hill on a dark blue gradient background as the logo changes patterns in time with the music.
FX/SFX: A mix of photomontage and 2D animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: The theme from the "One Small Step" ID.
Availability: Extinct.
4th of July (July 1982-1987)
ID: On a beach, we see a peach and grey MTV logo lying under an umbrella on a towel based on the American flag. Fireworks are seen going off in the night sky. Once the camera zooms in enough, the towel wraps around the logo, giving it the colors of the flag.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: The fireworks and a cheery synth cover of "Yankee Doodle".
Availability: Extinct.
MTV Birthday (August 1-31, 1982)
ID: We see a rocketship in the clouds, landing past a monolith which is revealed to be a red cake). A cake-cutting spatula takes a piece from the bottom of the cake, and the rocket crashes into the cake, forming the MTV logo with a birthday candle.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by George Griffin.
Music/Sounds: A new version of the music from the "One Small Step" ID.
Availability: Extinct; this ID only aired during the month of MTV's first birthday.
M Motel (August 1982-1989)
ID: At night, we see a pink neon motel sign with the "M" from the MTV logo as one of the letters. The sign below it changes to read "NO VACANCY", "NO POOL", "NO KITCHENETTES", "NO PHONES", and "NO ESCAPE". Finally, the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text appears, along with a white neon version of "TV" inside the "M".
FX/SFX: Live-action footage by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: An ominous synth theme, with crickets, passing cars and the buzzing of the neon light.
Availability: Extinct.
Reindeer (December 1982-1987)
ID: On a black background, a reindeer approaches a large present near a Christmas tree. Two children enter and unwrap the present as the reindeer flies off, revealing the MTV logo inside. A Santa hat appears on the logo as the tree glows.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: The children giggling and the present being unwrapped; ringing jingle bells are heard throughout.
Availability: Extinct; was only shown around Christmastime.
Santa (December 1982-1987)
ID: In the night sky over a town, we see Santa and his reindeer fly across as an MTV shaped gift flies towards the screen and positions to the center.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Santa is heard saying "Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!" which is followed by a snippet of the song "Jingle Bell Rock".
Availability: Extinct; only shown during Christmastime.
Alphabet Lesson (1982-1987)
ID: We see a man walking to the side of a large, green "M", which he opens like a door. Suddenly, musical notes start flying out of it, sending him flying backwards. He crawls back to where he was and tries to close the door, but is snatched by an orange cane from inside of the "M" and the door closes. Then the camera zooms in on the "M" as orange slime crawls out from the door and morphs into the "TV", followed by the text "MUSIC TELEVISION" fading in below.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Perpetual Motion Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A narrator saying, "M. More music. MTV, more of your favorite music. MTV: Music Television," accompanied by a rock tune when the door opens and a snatching sound when it closes.
Availability: Extinct.
Altered M (1982-1987)
ID: In a hallway, a flash of light spawns an MTV logo in the center. It bangs against the wall several times until it becomes normal, the background fading to black as it does.
FX/SFX: A mix of 2D and 3D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A distorted synth rock tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Atomic Era (1982-1987)
ID: In a retro styled house, we see the MTV logo playing on a television, when the entire room gets covered in several designs and graphs. The logo then becomes the center of the atomic structure diagram as we zoom into it.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: In the first half, a relaxing lounge tune is heard, before jarringly switching to an electric guitar riff for the end.
Availability: Extinct.
Cosmic Crash (1982-1987)
ID: From space, we zoom into the United States until we fly over a suburban neighborhood. We fade to the rooftop of one house, where a yellow MTV logo crashes through like a meteor, the house left in ashes.
FX/SFX: A blend of stop-motion and 2D by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A distorted whoosh as we go through space and a loud crash during the meteor part.
Availability: Extinct.
Clock (1982-1987)
ID: On a blue background, we see a yellow wind-up clock. The camera pans around to show the inside of it, which is composed of M-shaped gears and switches. One of the gears has the text "MUSIC TELEVISION" imprinted on it just below one of the "M"s, and a silver lightning bolt appears on the "M" before morphing into "TV".
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: The ticking of a clock accompanied by mechanical sounds and an announcer saying, "Around the clock, the music never stops. MTV: Music Television."
Availability: Extinct.
Clouds (1982-1987)
ID: On a hazy blue background, we see a yellow cube flying into view as black clouds fly in front of it. The cube morphs into a yellow "M" as "TV" in black materializes and most of the clouds settle onto the "M" while the others disappear. The text "MUSIC TELEVISION" in yellow materializes and zooms out to its proper spot under the logo.
FX/SFX: A mix of 2D animation and claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A reggae tune accompanied by the sound of rushing wind.
Availability: Extinct.
Club M (1982-1987)
ID: A hand puts an "M"-shaped slice of bread onto a plate, and then puts mustard, tomatoes, ham, and lettuce on it, followed by another "M" bread slice. Finally, some red "TV" peppers are placed on top, and a sliced pickle with "MUSIC TELEVISION" is placed under the bread.
FX/SFX: Live-action footage by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: Some cartoon sound effects and restaurant background noise.
Availability: Extinct.
Construction Worker (1982-1989)
ID: We see a construction worker in front of a steel structure saying, "Take her back, back this way! Up a bit! OK!" as an offscreen crane lifts several steel bars behind him. Then he says, "Let her go!", followed by a giant metal MTV logo (with "TV" in red) falling on him and squishing him down to his hat. The man, now reduced to a hat and shoes, shuffles away as the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text in white appears.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation by Edward Bakst Productions.
Music/Sounds: The construction worker (voiced by Alan Goodman) talking, followed by a crash sound and a rubbing sound as the hat walks away.
Availability: Extinct.
Dot to Dot (1982-1989)
ID: On a paper background, a figure composed of balls, lines and other random shapes throws a pink ball at a wall with numbers on it, forming the first part of the MTV logo. It then throws a blue ball, which creates the middle part, followed by a green ball, which finishes the "M". Then, the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text appears in red, followed by "TV" in yellow wiping in.
FX/SFX: 2D and CG animation by Silver Cloud Productions.
Music/Sounds: An instrumental synth tune composed by Bill Johnson, with cymbals when the ball hits the wall.
Availability: Extinct.
Editor's Note: This ID is definitely from the early 1980s, and it's pretty impressive for its time, too.
Escape (1982-1987)
ID: Against a white background, the MTV logo assembles itself until it turns light blue and red. We truck back from the logo as it positions itself on a black background.
FX/SFX: CG animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Same as "Clouds".
Availability: Extinct.
French Fries (1982-1987)
ID: On a red tablecloth with a black "M" on it, we see some fries and a hand. After an offscreen voice says "Anybody got anything to eat?", the hand squeezes some ketchup on the fries. More hands take the fries, revealing the black "M" to be the MTV logo (without the "TV"). Four fries appear and form the "TV", then ketchup appears on them.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A bunch of adults (Marcy Brafman, Alan Goodman and Richard Schenkman) talking about fries and a bunch of random sound effects.
Availability: Extinct.
Hairy M (1982-1987)
ID: In a bathroom, we see a peach, hair-covered M breathing. A can of shaving cream with a human arm slides by to spray "TV" on the M before leaving.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: The M breathing and the cream being applied.
Availability: Extinct.
Hell Freezes Over (1982-1988)
ID: We see three blocks of ice fly against a light blue background. They stop above each other and shatter. The last shatter pierces the floor, causing flames to come out and for a black and orange MTV logo to float out.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: The ice shattering, flames crackling. Underneath, a rock jingle.
Availability: Extinct.
Jukebox (1982-1987)
ID: A black and white couple are seen dancing to music on a jukebox, which transforms into a record player and then into a television with the MTV logo on it. The dancers fade away as we zoom toward the TV.
FX/SFX: A mix of live-action and 2D animation by Phil Trumbo.
Music/Sounds: A swinging rockabilly jingle.
Availability: Extinct.
Magnetic (1982-1987)
ID: Against a metallic background, many metal objects stick to the background and form into a giant yellow M. At the last moment, a television falls on the M and forms a red "TV".
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: Just metallic clanging.
Availability: Extinct.
M Factory (1982-1987)
ID: We see a conveyor belt with golden squares that a presser stamps onto, followed by a shot of another presser molding the squares into an outline of an "M". Then we see a row of "M"s going into a chamber with a yellow light and coming out from the other side to be stamped by two pressers that close the shape. Next we see a stamper that imprints the "TV" onto the "M", which is then colored yellow and red by a paintbrush which knocks it off the conveyor belt. We cut to an assembly line where a mechanical arm holding a television set (with the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text already on it) catches the MTV symbol and displays it on its blue screen. The camera "cut-zooms" to show the finalized logo on a blue background.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: An industrial version of the "One Small Step" theme.
Availability: Extinct.
Operation (1982-1987)
ID: A group of surgeons are seen taking items such as speaker and receiver into their operation. After they're done, it's revealed they made a television with the MTV logo on it acting like a heart.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Buzzco Associates.
Music/Sounds:' The surgeons listing off the items, followed by a male voice-over saying "Now your stereo system is complete. MTV: Music Television."
Availability: Extinct.
Raiders of the Lost M (1982-1987)
ID: The camera zooms into an Egyptian temple and stops in front of a golden pedestal with the "M" on top and two statues beside it. Suddenly, a laser shoots onto a scepter below and beams onto the "M" as the "TV" script appears in white and the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text appears below.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Tribal ambience followed by a laser sound effect and a synth choir when the laser shoots onto the "M".
Availability: Extinct.
Saturday Concert (1982-1987)
We see several people entering a music concert and taking their seats. The music pumps up and the people cheer. The curtains pull back to reveal a large TV set with the MTV logo in it with the text "Saturday Concert" below.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Chatter from the audience members and a rock score that plays as the people cheer.
Availability: Extinct.
Spaceship (1982-1986)
IDs: A duo of idents revolving around some spacemen getting into bizarre adventures that end with them watching MTV.
FX/SFX: Stop motion by Phil Trumbo.
Music/Sounds: The men grunting and some space music.
Availability: Extinct.
Sunday Special (1982-1987)
ID: We see a green man in a black suit at a golden control panel. He attempts to get the MTV Sunday Special logo to appear, but instead brings forth parodies of the Columbia, MGM, and Paramount logos before getting the right one, which bears a resemblance to the 20th Century Fox logo. Happy, the man puts on a top hat, jumps in front of the logo and uses a wand to turn himself into the words "Sunday Special".
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A whimsical tune at the start along with various cartoon sounds. When the logo proper appears, a soundalike of the Fox theme is heard.
Availability: Extinct.
24/7 (1982-1986)
ID: In a flashing room, we see a man sitting on a chair watching MTV footage, amazed by what he's seeing.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A hard rock tune.
Availability: Extinct.
World Premiere Video (December 2, 1983-1986)
ID: We see a cartoon globe spinning on a dark blue background. The globe comes to rest on a brown surface before falling into a hole inside it. The camera zooms out to reveal a TV with the globe now inside. The MTV logo (in yellow and red) spins around to face the camera on top of the globe with the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text in white fading in after. Finally, the white text "WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO" spins from the back of the TV before stopping in the front and emitting a "shining" effect.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Jerry Lieberman Productions.
Music/Sounds: A timpani theme accompanied by a synthesized "boing" sound when the globe sinks through the hole in the TV.
Availability: Extinct. Debuted with the premiere of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video on December 2, 1983.
Bonnie (1983-1987)
ID: We see a cow in a field eating grass. The camera pans over to show the MTV logo in green and red sprayed onto her hide.
FX/SFX: Live-action footage by Tom Pomposello Productions.
Music/Sounds: A short blues tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Chainsaw (1983-1987)
ID: We open with black and white footage on a TV screen of a man and woman singing a soft love song. We cut outside to see a woman in a skimpy purple jumpsuit revving up a chainsaw, the blade of which glows. She uses it to slice the screen off as the people in the footage run away. After, she lays the chainsaw on top of the TV, revealing an orange MTV logo inside the set.
FX/SFX: An even blend of stock footage, stop-motion, and 2D. Done by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: The people in the footage singing, the chainsaw revving up, and a metal tune that blares as the TV is sliced.
Availability:' Extinct.
Dancing Cats (1983-1987)
ID: On a white fence, four cats are seen doing a dance. One of them, the red one, is knocked off by a boot. Two others, the blue ones, are also knocked off the same way. The green one remains and a speech bubble appeared from him with the MTV logo in it. Said bubble fills up the screen and the logo gets covered in eyes.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Buzzco Associates.
Music/Sounds: A steady rap beat along with the cats meowing.
Availability: Extinct.
Dancing Indians (1983-1987)
ID: A group of Indians are seen dancing around a fire. A large shadow looms over them and they bow in fear. The shadow's owner is shown to be a giant MTV logo with features of an Indian chief.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Buzzco Associates.
Music/Sounds: A rap beat with war whooping mixed in.
Availability: Extinct.
Dancing Pants (1983-1987)
ID: At a dance party, one of the female dancing Indians is in a corner feeling alone, until a male appears and offers to dance. They do so and kiss, morphing into the MTV logo on a yellow background.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Buzzco Associates.
Music/Sounds: A remix of the music from "Dancing Indians".
Availability: Extinct.
Fish (1983-1988)
ID: A fish swims through the ocean. It releases its tail as it swims away; the tail and a nearby worm forming the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A relaxing synth piece.
Availability: Extinct.
Liner Notes (1983-1987)
ID: On a black background, we see the sentence "MTV Presents" flash on-screen. A blue grid background covers it up and the pink text Liner Notes appears in hand writing. We then see various words relating to music zooming in from a star background before the grid comes back with the text and turns green; normally a list of events appear on this green grid. After a while, they fly away.
FX/SFX: A blend of 2D and CG by Silver Cloud Productions.
Music/Sounds: An upbeat synth tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Man and Dog (1983-1988)
ID: A man and his dog are seen enjoying the channel until the signal messes up. The man kicks the TV, setting it back to normal. We zoom out to also see the MTV logo against a static background.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A rock tune and the man grunting.
Availability: Extinct.
Subway (1983-1987)
ID: Several people are seen at a subway station waiting to board. The subway arrives, and its front is shown to look like the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A fast paced bongo tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Payphone (1983-1988)
ID: In black and white, a man finishes his pay phone call before walking off, turning to color as does. As he passes a mailbox, the MTV logo materializes in yellow and red.
FX/SFX: Photomontage animation by ShadowLight Studios.
Music/Sounds: Town ambience.
Availability: Extinct.
Psychedelic M (1983-1987)
ID: A TV in a living room is presented. The set rotates to reveal a different, trippy background on the other side with the MTV logo on the screen. The TV fades away and a trippy MTV logo appears.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion and 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A descending warbly synth piece.
Availability: Extinct.
Rockstar (1983-1987)
ID: On a city background, a figure made of yellow shapes plays a guitar. Then it throws the guitar into the air, which explodes into the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A hard rock tune, followed by an explosion sound effect.
Availability: Extinct.
Saturday Night Concert (1983-1988)
ID: An elderly woman tunes into MTV, when the television starts to go crazy and expand into a giant statue as she and several other people run off. As the logo completes and people cheer, the text "Saturday Night Concert" shows up above the statue.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A rock tune accompanied by various cartoon sounds.
Availability: Extinct.
Service Station (1983-1987)
ID: A TV drives down the road to a gas station. A box shaped like the MTV logo plugs a cord into the TV, which starts showing various MTV IDs. An oil stack drops and an MTV sign lights up. Another box cleans the TV and it drives off as the boxes wave goodbye. The camera then quickly pans over to the sign of the gas station, with the MTV logo in 3D and spinning.
Trivia: All of the MTV IDs shown on the TV were created by Colossal Pictures, who also created this ID.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A synthesizer tune with the lyrics "When your TV needs a fill-up and some service, you can see / A quart of something special, come on out to MTV / We brighten up your picture and we send you on your way / So don't forget to turn to us, MTV, today!" (sung by Steve Linden and Bill Groshelle), as well as various other sound effects.
Availability: Extinct.
Slime (1983-1987)
ID: We see several close-ups of an MTV logo made of slime harderning until it forms into a black and yellow MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Live-action footage by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A trippy sounding lounge piece.
Availability: Extinct.
Street Life (1983-1987)
ID: The camera zooms through a yellow city, passing by a woman, her shoe, a toaster, a tiger, a toothpaste tube, and a police officer with the word "STOP" on his hand jumping out of the way. Suddenly, the MTV logo (with the "M" in pink and the "TV" in blue) crashes onto the street, and the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text in white appears below it.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Jerry Lieberman Productions and illustrated by Lou Brooks.
Music/Sounds: A synth-led tune, with the sound of a car skidding when the officer jumps back and a crumbling noise when the logo crashes onto the street.
Availability: Extinct.
Suburbia (1983-1987)
ID: We see a row of houses at daytime. Then a hand takes out a stencil of the MTV logo (without the "TV" script) and sprays it in green onto the scene. It then takes out another stencil of the "TV" script and sprays it onto the "M" in red.
Variants: An alternate version exists with the "M" being sprayed in yellow and the "TV" in blue, as well as different sound effects.
FX/SFX: Live-action footage by Tom Pomposello Productions.
Music/Sounds: Sounds of a neighborhood and a spraying sound effect when the logo is drawn.
Availability: Extinct.
Sword in the Stone (1983-1988)
ID: An ancient warrior comes across a sword in the stone and proceeds to try and pull it out. He succeeds, and transforms into a modern rockstar as the stone morphs into a flashing MTV logo.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Richard Schenkman.
Music/Sounds: The warrior grunting and a rock tune.
Availability: Extinct.
White House (1983-1987)
ID: Same as the "Suburbia" ID, but this time it takes place in front of the White House, and the hand spraypaints the MTV logo in yellow and the "TV" script in blue (albeit slightly off center).
FX/SFX: Same as the "Suburbia" ID.
Music/Sounds: A guitar version of the first six notes of "The Star Spangled Banner" (which sounds similar to the version performed by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock 1968), accompanied by spraying sound effects when the logo appears.
Availability: Extinct.
Top of the Hour 1984 (May 14, 1984-February 3, 1986)
ID: We see some brightly-colored rotoscoped footage of Apollo 11 launching into space, Neil Armstrong stepping out, and Neil putting up an MTV flag. A man in a control room looks at the MTV flag on some screens. Neil stands next to the flag, then the flag changes different colors on screens in the control room.
FX/SFX: Rotoscoped live-action footage, animated by Buzzco Associates in New York.
Music/Sounds: Apollo 11 blasting off, followed by a new version of the "One Small Step" theme, composed by Tom Pomposello and Del Fuegos.
Availability: Extinct.
Ants (1984-1988)
ID: A group of ants are seen with TVs in their pincers. They use them to help create their MTV shaped nest.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: An adventurous sounding theme.
Availability: Extinct.
Art History (1984-1990)
ID: The MTV logo is presented in several different art styles from over history, including a cave painting, a regal statue, a Greek vase, The Creation of Adam, and several surreal art styles until it appears in front of the "Have a nice day" smiley who winks.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A rising synth fanfare that ends with a goofy warble.
Availability: Extinct.
Construct (1984-1988)
ID: TBA
Variant: A version with a cat face and different colored logo is known to exist.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Woo Art.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Crime Scene (1984-1989)
ID: In the POV of a man, we walk down a city street at night until we encounter a man in a suit with a gun who shoots toward the screen. The camera points downwards to reveal the MTV logo printed on the pavement.
FX/SFX: Dark watercolor animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Footsteps and a gunshot as well as a dramatic strings score.
Availability: Extinct.
Dancing People (1984-1989)
ID: A group of people are shown dancing on a grey-white background. Eventually, the view zooms out to reveal the MTV logo is what they're grooving on.
FX/SFX: CG animation by Colossal Pictures and Pacific Data Images.
Music/Sounds: An 80s era dance beat.
Availability: Extinct.
Diving M (1984-1989)
ID: We see a man with an inner tube shaped like a seahorse on a diving board. He jumps off, and his inner tube screams right at the screen. He falls into a pool shaped like the MTV logo, and cracks appear to form "TV" while the water drains and some water forms the text "MUSIC TELEVISION", and the man and inner tube appear from the cracks.
FX/SFX: 2D animation produced by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A trumpet fanfare, then a drum-roll and the inner tube screaming, and 2 more trumpet notes when the cracks appear and a Synth and Tuba Note when the man and inner tube appear from the cracks.
Availability: Extinct.
Elements (1984-1989)
ID: Against a sky background, we see footage of three elements: water, steam, and fire, each with parts of the MTV logo visible. They then combine together to form the full logo.
FX/SFX: Live-action footage edited together. Done by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A series of deep whooshes.
Availability: Extinct.
Floating Letters (1984-1988)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Jerry Lieberman.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Frank M Stein (1984-1989)
ID: A mad scientist turns on a machine to give life to his creation. Said creation is revealed to be the MTV logo in a Frankenstein's monster look. The "TV" beats like a heart.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: The machine turning on, the MTV creature roaring, and its heart beating.
Availability: Extinct.
Generic M (1984-1989)
ID: The MTV logo appears in black on a white background with a barcode above it.
FX/SFX: None, produced by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A snippet of a string cover of "She Believes In Me" by Kenny Rogers.
Availability: Extinct.
Editor's Note: This ID is somewhat humorous, since it's basically the polar opposite of what an MTV bumper is known to usually be.
Living Room (1984-1989)
ID: We see four men in the living room watching TV. A toy car arrives and changes the channel to MTV, which gets all the men pumped up. We zoom into the MTV logo on the screen.
FX/SFX: Cut-out animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Audio from the TV, and metal music when the channel changes.
Availability: Extinct.
M Neighborhood (1984-1989)
ID: In a suburban neighborhood, we see various things starting with M: the mailman, a mongrel, and a mom. We then suddenly pan over to a house blaring music and zoom into the TV in the window, revealing the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: A blend of 2D and stop-motion by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A voice-over describes the first three words. Loud rock music then blares from the house.
Availability: Extinct.
Music (1984-1989)
ID: We see a colorful diagram form on a black background, forming the shapes of various musical objects. Eventually, they form into a yellow and blue MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Computer animation by AMIGA Computer.
Music/Sounds: Same as "Blue and Green" and "Ducks and Bunnies".
Availability: Extinct.
Mystery Man (1984-1989)
ID: A trio of idents focusing on a detective man solving crimes.
FX/SFX: Traditional animation by Joey Ahlbum.
Music/Sounds: A brass heavy cop show score.
Availability: All three are extinct.
Paradox (1984-1989)
ID: In a white room, we see three instances of various pieces of furniture lined up to give an illuison that they're forming the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Live-action footage by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A surreal avant garde piece.
Availability: Extinct.
Repairman (1984-1988)
ID: We see the MTV logo against a yellow background before it separates. We then see a repairman plugging two loudspeakers into a TV set, and the MTV logo appears on both the TV and his head when he finishes.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Buzzco Associates, George Griffin and Jerry Lieberman.
Music/Sounds: Synthesized beeping. At the very end, an 80s type tune plays.
Availability: Extinct.
Roman (1984-1989)
ID: A muscular Roman man is seen bored, but then gets an idea. He orders his servants to bring in a TV which is playing music and the MTV logo pops out of the television.
FX/SFX: 2D animaton by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Roman music at the start and an electric guitar blaring from the TV.
Availability: Extinct.
Time Machine (1984-1988)
ID: A time machine is activated and we a stone age M being struck by lightning before getting transported to Greece then to the 20th century. The time machine continues to rapidly move forward in time until it breaks. The MTV logo then appears with static inside it.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: The machine whirring and malfunctioning, followed by a burst of white noise.
Availability: Extinct.
Trojan M (1984-1988)
ID: In a castle, we see a group of knights whispering to each other. Then the castle door falls down and you can see a Trojan horse shaped like the MTV logo. A trumpet pops out of it.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation produced by Olive Jar Animation in Boston.
Music/Sounds: The knights whispering, the Trojan horse rolling, and the Trojans yelling for victory.
Availability: Extinct.
Tunnel (1984-1988)
ID: We zoom down a road and through an M-shaped tunnel. After a while of zooming passes various music based images, we come out and make a wild turn to see the M tunnel again before zooming back in.
FX/SFX: 2D animaton by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A synth beat alongside various car tire screeching sounds.
Availability: Extinct.
Voodoo (1984-1989)
ID: We pan across a jungle to see a tribe doing a ritual dance. We zoom past them to see they're dancing near a TV with a flaming MTV logo in it.
FX/SFX: A blend of live-action and 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Jungle drums and the sound of the tribe chanting.
Availability: Extinct.
Zoom In (1984-1989)
ID: We see an observatory which destroys Saturn, causing a surreal sequence which the camera zooms through various landscapes until we see two monsters watching MTV.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A distorted space melody.
Availability: Extinct.
Top of the Hour 1985 (1985-1986)
ID: Once again, we see footage of a rocket taking off. When it reaches space, it dislodges a TV from the top which flies in front of a laser; the laser shoots it, before the MTV logo forms piece by piece, covering the space scene and flashing different colors.
FX/SFX: A blend of stock footage, 2D and live action setpieces. Done by Buzzco Associates.
Music/Sounds: Yet another update of the One Small Step theme.
Availability: Extinct.
Conga Line (1985-1989)
ID: We see various characters do a conga line until a man with a TV on his head arrives and presents a multicolored MTV logo.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A conga beat.
Availability: Extinct.
Day & Night (1985-1990)
ID: We see the MTV logo against a sunny yellow background when it suddenly morphs into a street. A flaming electric guitar arrives and explodes at the screen, revealing a heart that morphs back to the MTV logo, now in a city at night.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Cartoon sounds and a hard rock score.
Availability: Extinct.
Art (1986-1990)
ID: In a black and white artist's room, an alarm clock rings and an M in a picture frame jumps out. The room suddenly transforms into a colorful landscape after the M lands on a tube of paint, to which a red "TV" splatters on the M. The glass from the table tips over, its contents turning yellow, submerging the M into that color. After it reappears, some storm clouds strike the logo with bolts of lightning before the logo returns to the room, now entirely in color.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Joey Ahlbum.
Music/Sounds: An upbeat synth tune and various cartoon sound effects.
Availability: Extinct.
Drawing to Life (1986-1989)
IDs: In one, a woman named Doris holds up a cartoon involving a couple being bothered by some teens jamming to MTV. In another, an unknown man holds a cartoon with a businessman morphing into Elvis Presley playing the piano.
FX/SFX: Live-action and 2D animation. Done by Tony Eastman and directed by Robert O. Blechman.
Music/Sounds: A jamming rock tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Flipbook (1986-1990)
ID: In a forest, a person is seen scouring through a flipbook which forms a cartoon of the MTV logo forming through a TNT blast.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Gary Gutierrez and John Korty.
Music/Sounds: The flipbook and the explosion.
Availability: Extinct.
Jackpot (1986-1990)
ID: We see a slot machine being activated. One of the images featured is the MTV logo. At the end, a match is almost made with two logos and a malfunctioning third slot; the machine is clunked and a win is given.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: Just the slot machine.
Availability: Extinct.
Masks (1986-1990)
ID: On a black background, we see two face masks with red eyes and mouths. Then a square with a face appears on a red scribble and screams, followed by two cubism-esque face masks. A yellow scribble with a face and red hair appears and screams, followed by two more cubism-esque face masks. A hexagon with a face appears on a blue scribble and swallows the screen. A tye-dyed MTV logo zooms in.
FX/SFX: Cut-out animation produced by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: Tribal drumbeats along with the shapes screaming.
Availability: Extinct.
M Hood (1986-1990)
ID: Our POV is on the hood of a car with a "TV" hood ornament driving down various landscapes. Eventually, it comes a stop in front of a building with a motor parts billboard. The letter M in "Motors" lines up with the ornament, forming the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Sped up live-action by Fred Miles.
Music/Sounds: A warbly synth tune.
Availability: Extinct.
M Mollusk (1986-1992)
ID: We see some grass grow, which is followed by a snail sliding through the grass, removing it like a lawnmower and forming an M. Some mushrooms grow near the cut grass and form a white "TV", completing the logo.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: Jungle music and sounds.
Availability: Extinct.
M Shadows (1986-1991)
ID: We see the shadow of an "M" show up across a building. Some graffiti artists appear and spray paint on the building when the shadow appears. When the shadow is halfway there, the graffiti artists spray paint the MTV logo and by the time their done, the shadow was gone too. The words "MUSIC TELEVISION" appear under the logo.
FX/SFX: Time-lapse footage by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A quick hip hop beat.
Availability: Extinct.
Paintbox (1986-1990)
ID: On a stage, a red crayon draws an outline of the letter M. Then, a paintbrush splatters the area, painting the M yellow. A spray can then completes the logo by spraying a red "TV" on it.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: An 80s pop tune and various cartoon sounds.
Availability: Extinct.
Pavarotti (1986-1990)
ID: We see an opera singer holding a long note as the camera zooms into his mouth. Inside is a light show and the MTV logo which flashes green and orange.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Piera Grandesso and directed by Robert O. Blechman.
Music/Sounds: The singer holding a note, and an odd scream when the logo flashes.
Availability: Extinct.
Rockin' Skyscraper (1986-1990)
ID: A man is shown on a television playing guitar. The camera zooms out to reveal that the TV is in an MTV shaped apartment.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Fred Myers.
Music/Sounds: The guy's guitar playing.
Availability: Extinct.
Sneak Preview Video (1986-1990)
ID: The Earth squeezes through a TV set and reveals the MTV logo on it. A sudden explosion occurs from up top causing the words "World Premiere" to appear in smoke.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by The Ink Tank and directed by Robert O. Blechman.
Music/Sounds: A drumroll when the logo starts, followed by a trumpet fanfare when the MTV logo shows up, and lastly, an explosion sound and a synth tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Wild Gorilla (1986-1991)
ID: At a zoo, we see a destroyed cage. We pan to a tree then pan up to reveal an MTV logo styled to look like a gorilla moving around on a branch.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: Various zoo patrons panicking and the MTV gorilla hooting and panting.
Availability: Extinct.
Around the World (1987-1990)
ID: We see a cartoon Earth and then various images from across the world synced to the beat. The MTV logo then flips towards us on a purple background.
FX/SFX: A blend of photomontage and 2D by Chauncey Street Productions, Inc.
Music/Sounds: An 80s pop beat.
Availability: Extinct.
Bath (1987-1990)
ID: In the ocean, we see a man on stilts trying to fend off some sharks. He is then picked up by a woman's hand, revealing that it's actually happening in her bathtub. She notices the viewer and splashes at the screen angrily, forming the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Puppetry by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: A strange orchestral number and the splashing of water.
Availability: Extinct.
Butler (1987-1990)
ID: A masked butler exits an elevator and zips towards the screen. He disassembles his head and reveals multiple other heads and objects underneath. He then opens a sardine can with the MTV logo in it while his tie forms into Music Television.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: A mystical piece.
Availability: Extinct.
Couch Potato (1987-1990)
ID: A man is seen channel surfing; with each channel, several cartoon characters emerge from the TV and run around the room. A grenade lands on the man and blows him up, causing him to go crazy as various cartoon characters dance around him. A giant pink M comes from the TV and lands on the man as the logo completes.
FX/SFX: A mix of stop-motion and 2D by Movie Magic.
Music/Sounds: Various cartoon sounds and a rock tune that starts as the man goes nuts.
Availability: Extinct.
Dollhouse (1987-1991)
ID: In a dollhouse, a group of puppet dolls are seen lounging around. A female doll arrives and makes loving gestures to them when she hears the cat at the window. She goes to open the window...and she and everyone else as well as bits of the wall gets sucked out. The MTV logo is formed by the parts of the destroyed house.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion puppetry by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: A jaunty piano piece at the start, the cat meowing, and a dramatic sting when the characters are sucked out.
Availability: Extinct.
Fly (1987-1991)
ID: A series of close-ups of some flies are presented. One of them looks straight at us before morphing into the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Anthony Gonzalez and directed by Phil Trumbo.
Music/Sounds: Some night ambience and the sound of buzzing flies.
Availability: Extinct.
Editor's Note: Those who don't like flies (or bugs in general) might get the shivers from this one.
Guillotine (1987-1990)
ID: We see a guillotine's blade rise up. Then a black glove-clad hand pulls a lever, sending the blade down. Then, an M-shaped face falls, the leaves in front of the base are blown away to reveal the "MUSIC TELEVISION" text and one of his eyes falls out, still being held by the optic nerve.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: First we hear a crowd chattering and a creaking sound from the ascending blade. When the blade descends, off-screen screaming is heard (probably from the victim of the execution) and a thud when it lands. Afterwards, a gag-like sound is heard when the face appears along with the wind blowing. Finally, a "sproing" sound effect plays when the eye pokes out.
Availability: Extinct.
Editor's Note: This ID was notorious for its disturbing subject matter.
Haircut (1987-1992)
ID: We see a scientist with long hair sleeping in a chair. A monkey skeleton suddenly comes to life and grabs a pair of scissors. It cuts the scientist's hair into an M shape and runs off. The scientist wakes up and displays his grief over what happened. The skeleton finishes the logo and mocks him.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: A jungle beat; the monkey's screeching and cutting noises.
Availability: Extinct.
Hip Hop (1987-1990)
ID: A black and white cartoon of several characters dancing to hip hop in a psychadelic presentation.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Julian Gibb of Animation City.
Music/Sounds: A low pitch snippet of "The New Style" by Beastie Boys and a voice saying "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro!"
Availability: Extinct.
M Street (1987-1990)
ID: An M shaped apartment building is seen with the camera zooming out from the center. Eventually, the logo completes when a purple balloon forms "TV" and a semi with Music Television on it parks nearby.
FX/SFX: Claymation by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: A saxophone tune and urban sounds.
Availability: Extinct.
M Zilla (1987-1990)
ID: On some raw footage of a town, a red "M" puppet peeks from behind the buildings. The police officers see this, and everyone runs off as the "M" steps onto the raw footage and finds the town square. The "M" steps into the town square and trips on the traffic light, forming "TV", and causing a blackout.
FX/SFX: A mix of live-action footage, puppetry and 2D animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: Some suspenseful music.
Availability: Extinct. Can currently be seen on MTV Classic.
Music Is (1987-1991)
ID: We see a giant M with various figures inside dancing as words like "music" and "videos" appear. Eventually, all action stops as the Music Television text slides in below.
FX/SFX: A mix of stop-motion and 2D by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: A rap beat.
Availability: Extinct.
One Planet, One Music (1987-1991)
IDs: TBA
FX/SFX: A creative blend of live-action, photomontage, and 2D by Charlie Canfield.
Music/Sounds 80s music, one for each variant.
Availability: Extinct for both variants.
Ouija (1987-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: A mix of stop-motion and 2D by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability:' Extinct.
Skull Rider (1987-1993)
ID: A blonde man is seen riding a skateboard as a skeleton with flaming hair chases him on a motorcycle. The man points to the right and dashes off, leaving the skeleton to fall off a cliff. We then find out that they were riding on a blue and yellow MTV logo.
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: A metal jingle.
Availability: Extinct.
Taco M (1987-1993)
ID: A puppet man is seen at a table. He is offered some peppers and he gleefully chows down. After he's done, he is given some crust, which he picks up, and his head splits to reveal a live-action version of himself who breathes fire on it. He presents it to the screen, showing that he made the MTV logo in the crust.
FX/SFX: A blend of puppetry and stop-motion by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: A jangly tune and the man breathing fire.
Availability: Extinct.
Top of the Hour 1987 (1987-1988)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: A blend of live-action and 2D by Peter Max.
Music/Sounds: A voice over by China Kantner about upcoming events on the channel alongside some 80s era music.
Availability: Extinct.
Xerox Bug (1987-1991)
ID: We see an ant on a Xerox scanner and a bitten cookie. The ant moves to the middle of it and is squished by the top. We then see several sheets with the dead bug on them, which progressively start show the bug bleeding and becoming the "TV" script in the MTV logo.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: A suspenseful tune and and mechanical whirring.
Availability: Extinct.
Adam & Eve (1988-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Broadcast Arts.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Audition (1988-1992)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by The Ink Tank.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Bosch (1988-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Aurelio Voltaire.
Music/Sounds: A mystical synth tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Daily World Record (1988-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: An announcer going over the goofy headlines and various sound effects.
Availability: Extinct.
Emulsion (1988-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: A mix of live-action and 2D animation by Christopher Sobieniak.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
ID: On a map, a hand holds a postcard from Holland, in which windmills form an MTV logo. On a Paris postcard, MTV logos come out of the Eiffel Tower and the postcard zooms under it. London's postcard has a double decker bus with an "MTV ...Your TV" banner on it and a tidal wave. Last, a postcard from Australia has boomerangs flying around. We zoom into the postcard, and a boomerang is being thrown into space. The boomerang, with an MTV logo visible on it, flies towards the screen and freezes.
FX/SFX: Glass-painting animation, with live-action at the beginning, produced by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: Some rock music.
Availability: Extinct.
Inventions (1988-1992)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Live-action with bits of photomontage by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: A distorted rock tune.
Availability: Extinct.
Jack In The Box (1988-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Aurelio Voltaire.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Machine (1988-1993)
ID: We start with a close-up of a machine's number counter. A robot arm drops a ball into a tube to try and give a face on the bottom of it a pair of eyes. Eventually, the counter hits zero and the eyes make their way to the face. When the face looks up, he sees a television screen and smiles. We zoom into the screen to see a blue and green MTV logo on a pink background.
FX/SFX: Hand drawn animation by Jerry Rees.
Music/Sounds: Metallic clanging; a beeping synth tune that reaches to a heroic sounding flourish at the end.
Availability: Extinct.
New Music (1988-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Tony Eastman.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Slow Bob (1988-1993)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Skyscraper (1988-1993)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation animated by Joost Swarte and The Ink Tank and directed by Maciek Albrecht.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Tattoo (1988-1992)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Photomontage and 2D animation by Robert Brown.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Top of the Hour 1988 (1988-1989)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Animation by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Procrastination No. 1 (1989-1991)
ID: We see the MTV logo stuck in a gyroscope. We zoom close to the logo and random things out of nowhere pop out of the logo. Then a clip of a dog running appears, and the dog "pops" out of the MTV logo, barking at the screen.
FX/SFX: Stop-motion animation produced by Selick/Burton Projects (later Selick Projects, and then Skellington Productions).
Music/Sounds: A remix of the "One Small Step" theme.
Availability: Extinct.
Baby Food (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Jerry Lieberman.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Barbecue (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Brain (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Piotr Dumala.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Breathmint (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Cut-out animation by Willy Hartland.
Music/Sounds: A cheeky piano theme.
Availability: Extinct.
Dental (1989-1993)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Dial MTV (1989-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: A blend of photomontage and stop-motion by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Flags (1989-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by ThinkFarmLondon.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Fuzzy Doodles (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Rough 2D animation by Sheila Sofian.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Horses (1989-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Piotr Dumala.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Magritte (1989-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Max (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D 1930s style animation by Phil Trumbo.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Noodle Ear (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D sketch animation by Bill Plympton in the style of his short Your Face.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Pandora's Box (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: A blend of live-action and stop-motion by Aurelio Voltaire.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Perspective (1989-1993)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Cut-out animation by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Potato Head (1989-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Cut and paste by Varga Studio.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Rock Blocks (1989-1994)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: A blend of stop-motion and 2D by Olive Jar Animation.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Rocky (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: 2D animation by Malcolm Bennett and Aidan Hughes.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Snake Attack (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Hand drawn animation by Paul Vester.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Spinning Faces (1989-1995)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Live-action and stop-motion by Colossal Pictures.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
Top of the Hour 1989 (1989-1990)
ID: TBA
FX/SFX: Stop-motion by Henry Selick.
Music/Sounds: TBA
Availability: Extinct.
