Twenty years ago — a little less, actually since it was July 13 — I spent an entire Saturday watching Live Aid…and yelling at my TV since MTV’s coverage was so infuriating. They seemed more concerned with showing off their VJs than showing actual concert content. Case in point, the loving close up of Martha Quinn mouthing the words to Let it Be while the song’s performer (and, of course, composer) remained off-camera.It appears MTV, and I, have learned nothing in the intervening years. I was eager to wear my white ONE wristband and watch the new Live 8 concert today, but it didn’t take long for those old aggravations to return. The event would be covered by both MTV and VH1 this time, but it turns out this was simply a simulcast. Talk about a missed opportunity. They had ten concerts to cover, but the same footage was lazily shown on both channels. And that footage did not amount to much. Every time I tuned in I saw a VJ standing in front of a wide shot of the crowd, telling us how incredible this day was and how awesome the concert was. We had to take their word for it, since MTV (and VH1) barely showed us any performances. I guess they forgot they’re a TV network and thought they were a radio station.
Turns out I shouldn’t have bothered with something as quaint and antique as cable TV. I got much better results when I tried out AOL Music’s website. I don’t how “live” they were with their footage, but at least I was able to see a complete song and, if I was lucky, a second one. Thank God for the Internet, even if it is AOL.
And, P.S., what’s the deal with the Black Eyed Peas? They’re everywhere!
And, P.P.S., please add your name to the list at the Live 8 site. If we can’t afford to give 0.7% — less than one percent! — of our national income to those who are starving then we are no super power (and have no right to refer to ourselves as a “christian” nation). [8:58 PM]
Update: what’s this crap I’m seeing about Paul McCartney never having playing “Sgt Pepper” live? That’s what was said on MTV and I’m reading in news articles too. How can MTV be so dumb? Not only has the song been performed live before, it’s been a mainstay in McCartney’s concert tours. In fact, it’s on his 1990 (Tripping the Live Fantastic) and 2002 (Back in the USA) live CDs (not forgetting his most recent release, the Live in Red Square DVD). Good going on the research there, guys.
And kudos too to ABC, who stuffed the G8 concerts into a two-hour highlights package between 8 and 10 PM. The UK’s grand finale was, coincidentally, with Paul McCartney (who seems to be a running theme in this entry). Too bad it took so long. Before everyone could say their final thank-yous, the screen went suddenly black. It was now time for America’s Funniest Home Videos! Sure, the ten concerts today were a once-in-a-lifetime global event, but obviously ABC’s hackneyed tapes of fat ladies falling off trampolines must takes precedence.
