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MTV Will Revive 'Daria,' 'Aeon Flux,' And Old School 'Real World'

Jen Carlson

Published Jun 21, 2018

Modified Jun 21, 2018

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Jen Carlson

Published Jun 21, 2018

Modified Jun 21, 2018

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I haven't watched MTV in quite some time, but I assume it is currently a network that airs 30-second clips of Ariana Grande videos alongside many hours of programming that looks something like what you'd see on your little cousin's Snapchat feed, sprinkled with some Vice Lite-esque programming for the zero-attention-span yet socially conscious generation tuning in. And those viewers deserve a better MTV. You know, the MTV of my old ass generation.

Back in those early days, the network showed videos in full, provided thoughtful commentary, and offered a variety of programming we'd never seen before. I was perfectly happy with just the music videos, but then came shows like The Real World (it was good in the beginning!) and Daria.

I ask this with almost zero confidence that the answer is yes, but is it possible that... MTV could become good again? According to Variety, the network has now "launched a new production unit, MTV Studios — and with it put in the works a batch of new shows and revivals of properties from the Viacom-owned cable channel’s extensive content library." Ah, nothing says passion, creativity, and originality like "content library."

Relevancy break:

There will be a few new reality shows, including The Valley (yes, like The Hills), and Siesta Key (yes, probably also like The Hills). There's also one about people getting ghosted. But the potential shining beam of light on this trash pile of programming comes from the past, where all good things live: the network is bringing back Daria, Aeon Flux, and The Real World.

Now, The Real World was still airing new episodes last year, but it's being called a revival because the show will "return to its roots... This reconnection to innocence for the trailblazing series strips away the polarization and cold anonymity of social media, the din of the 24-hour news cycle, and the facades of the instafamous culture to find out what happens “when seven strangers are picked to live in a house…stop being polite and start getting real.” It's never going to be as good as it was from seasons 1 through 9, but it's a step in the right direction.

Nostalgia break:

And if they don't botch the revivals of Daria and Aeon Flux, I may need to figure out how to locate MTV on my Roku. (Btw, did you know the original Daria is on Hulu and totally holds up?)

The network's president, Chris McCarthy, said, "We are for the first time ever opening up this vault beyond our own platforms to reimagine the franchises with new partners." For example, Inside Amy Schumer and Kimmie Schmidt writer Grace Edwards will be behind the Daria remake... which will actually be called Daria & Jodie. Here's the description:

The iconic animated franchise is reinvented through the eyes of heroine Daria Morgendorffer and one of her closest friends Jodie Landon. These two smart young women take on the world, with their signature satirical voice while deconstructing popular culture, social classes, gender and race.

Meanwhile, cult anime classic Aeon Flux will be a "live action remake," with the protagonist teaming up "with a group of biohacking rebels in the not too distant dystopian future to battle a brutally repressive regime and save humanity." Cool. Sounds like a livestream of America.

Editor's note to MTV Content Librarians: This is your last, best chance to finally produce the inevitable cult classic late-night program "Wake Up At 3."

Tagged

aeon flux

daria

mtv

mtv studios

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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