Beavis and Butthead Return: Same Antics, Different Decade
October has always had special meaning to me.
It's the month of my husband's birthday, the anniversary of when I first asked him out, and my favorite holiday; Halloween.
October brings an extra special treat this year with the relaunch of one of the most popular cartoons of my childhood.
Beavis and Butthead defined youth in the 90s.
They were the forbidden television show before South Park when MTV still played music videos.
I can remember sneaking into my brother's room to watch it with him without our parents knowing.
The disclaimer that they were poor role models and should not be imitated flashed on the screen before we heard their immature laughing.
This show is tame by today's standards and unlike the relaunch of Ren and Stimpy, creator Mike Judge has decided to keep it that way.
Long time fans of the show will see many other similarities between the old and new versions of the show including the hand drawn animation, Beavis and Butthead's neighborhood and clothing, and the situations in which they find themselves.
One minor difference is Beavis's voice.
Though it is still done by Mike Judge himself, it is no surprise that Judge's voice has matured with age.
It's not a big change, but as a major fan of the show I could hear a distinct difference between the old and new voice.
The only major change in the show is something that cannot be helped; MTV no longer plays music videos.
Since Beavis and Butthead are famous for cracking jokes about the music videos they watch, the relaunch had to substitute them with another medium available for parody; enter Jersey Shore, a popular show that now represents most of the shows on MTV.
Having seen an episode of Jersey Shore, I believe not only is it a great substitution for the music videos, but enhances the viewing experience.
Music videos of the 80s and 90s were a creative expression of the music they portrayed which can be misunderstood for poor quality.
Jersey Shore is reality television at its lowest point and has more material to work with than David Bowie's career.
With almost everything staying the same in the relaunch the real question is "will it last?" I cannot ignore the fact that though Beavis and Butthead are a classic cartoon to my generation and those who came before me, it has shown its age.
It is a refreshing return to something on television I found funny, but what I do not consider good television is also what gets the ratings at the present time.
I am sad to say I think Beavis and Butthead will go the way of King of the Hill.
It will have its moment in the sun, but then it will be cancelled to the disappointment of the true fans as few and far spread as they may be.
I am excited to see the relaunch of Beavis and Butthead and will be a loyal viewer until its time once again comes to an end.
Even if it is not appreciated by the masses for long, it will always be appreciated by those who remember watching, going to school the next day with our shirts over our heads, and calling ourselves Cornholio.
It's the month of my husband's birthday, the anniversary of when I first asked him out, and my favorite holiday; Halloween.
October brings an extra special treat this year with the relaunch of one of the most popular cartoons of my childhood.
Beavis and Butthead defined youth in the 90s.
They were the forbidden television show before South Park when MTV still played music videos.
I can remember sneaking into my brother's room to watch it with him without our parents knowing.
The disclaimer that they were poor role models and should not be imitated flashed on the screen before we heard their immature laughing.
This show is tame by today's standards and unlike the relaunch of Ren and Stimpy, creator Mike Judge has decided to keep it that way.
Long time fans of the show will see many other similarities between the old and new versions of the show including the hand drawn animation, Beavis and Butthead's neighborhood and clothing, and the situations in which they find themselves.
One minor difference is Beavis's voice.
Though it is still done by Mike Judge himself, it is no surprise that Judge's voice has matured with age.
It's not a big change, but as a major fan of the show I could hear a distinct difference between the old and new voice.
The only major change in the show is something that cannot be helped; MTV no longer plays music videos.
Since Beavis and Butthead are famous for cracking jokes about the music videos they watch, the relaunch had to substitute them with another medium available for parody; enter Jersey Shore, a popular show that now represents most of the shows on MTV.
Having seen an episode of Jersey Shore, I believe not only is it a great substitution for the music videos, but enhances the viewing experience.
Music videos of the 80s and 90s were a creative expression of the music they portrayed which can be misunderstood for poor quality.
Jersey Shore is reality television at its lowest point and has more material to work with than David Bowie's career.
With almost everything staying the same in the relaunch the real question is "will it last?" I cannot ignore the fact that though Beavis and Butthead are a classic cartoon to my generation and those who came before me, it has shown its age.
It is a refreshing return to something on television I found funny, but what I do not consider good television is also what gets the ratings at the present time.
I am sad to say I think Beavis and Butthead will go the way of King of the Hill.
It will have its moment in the sun, but then it will be cancelled to the disappointment of the true fans as few and far spread as they may be.
I am excited to see the relaunch of Beavis and Butthead and will be a loyal viewer until its time once again comes to an end.
Even if it is not appreciated by the masses for long, it will always be appreciated by those who remember watching, going to school the next day with our shirts over our heads, and calling ourselves Cornholio.
