MTV (Music Television) is truly one of the most important pop culture phenomena of the late twentieth century. As a medium, it united the two most important popular culture developments of the post-World War II era: rock 'n' roll and television. Within two decades of its birth in 1981, it defined an international youth culture centered around the rebellious spirit of rock music and the ceaseless consumption of goods. To the many millions of youthful viewers scattered across the globe, MTV is the preeminent medium of global youth culture, offering an intoxicating mix of music, postmodern imagery, consumer goods, and original programming. To its owner, the cable television giant Viacom, MTV is a highly profitable cable channel that offers advertisers unparalleled access to a youthful audience. But to its many critics, MTV is a corrupter of youth, a purveyor of mindless consumerism, and a degrader of all that is...