These classic MTV shows had glorious characters and patent fuck-ups. Remember the animated heroine that was the patron saint of Generation X? How many loyal viewers planned their dinners (and set their TiVos) to howl at some of rock music’s biggest characters? And if we’re being honest, there were entire concepts that would never ever play in today’s ultra-woke culture.

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We do know this: Hindsight is always boss. Looking back on this list of MTV shows often feels like having a ringside seat for someone’s emotional decline. Parents picking their kids’ love interests! Busloads of potential suitors completely unafraid of brutal rejection! Your favorite drummer with a Mohawk! Ungrateful 16-year-olds! MTV knew how to bank on our schadenfreude.

We do miss these these cancelled MTV shows because they remind us of a new golden age of TV: reality. These were the shows our parents hated us watching, but we couldn’t get enough of them. It was no big deal if we missed an episode. MTV had our backs, replaying blocks of shows on the weekends so we’d never get the FOMO. It made our weekends feel slower.

We indulged in these MTV shows when the world stopped being nice and started being real. They filled in the gaps between dead-end shifts in retail and studying for the SATs. Then again, they also took up the space between viewings of “I’m Not OK (I Promise)” and “Dance, Dance.” Enjoy the video.

From the early reality shows to animated classics we love, MTV’s history on the small screen shouldn’t be forgotten.

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So that you can reminisce about the good old days, we’ve dug up 10 throwback MTV shows that we (and probably you, too!) miss desperately. You can check those out below. 

Daria

Luckily, we won’t have to miss this show too long. Comedy Central is working on a spinoff, but the original episodes are definitely worth revisiting. Daria embodies our permanent angsty and moody self while delivering one-liners like no other. Her entire being embodies the energy of the resting bitch face, and we’re envious of that attitude. 

The Osbournes

We’ve loved Ozzy Osbourne for as long as we can remember. This quintessential show let us get an even deeper look at the Prince of Darkness’s home life. The Osbournes were the punk-rock Kardashians before they even existed, and a lot of family-centered reality shows probably wouldn’t exist without this program. 

Room Raiders

Honestly, the premise of Room Raiders was questionable and probably wouldn’t exist now, but at the time it was amazing. The invasive show let contestants inside the rooms of three eligible people with whom they could go on a date. They picked their date based on their room, which meant cleanliness, style and personal items all came into question. It was nothing short of genius. 

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Parental Control 

Back in the 2000s, it seemed like absolutely everyone watched Parental Control. It was entertaining to see parents overstep in their kids’ lives and try to control their relationships. It probably caused a lot of family disputes, but it made for great TV. 

Meet The Barkers

Let’s not forget that blink-182 superstar drummer Travis Barker had a camera crew follow the life of his family. Plus, the other blink-182 members made appearances in Meet The Barkers. This was also in the peak of Barker’s mohawk phase which made the entire thing even more punk rock. 

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Making The Band

This show made music groups, which was pretty cool to see play out on TV. We saw people giving their heart and soul to try to make it, with P-Diddy deciding their fate. Making The Band is supposed to come back next year, and we can’t wait for the acts to form.

Next

Remember the downright weird facts people on this show used to share about themselves to try to get a date? The premise was also high-intensity. Contestants had to go on blind dates which could end at any time with someone yelling “next.” That means people were under pressure, and which definitely showed in the episodes. 

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TRL 

While it’s true MTV brought back Total Request Live a few years ago, it’s just not the same. This show impacted mainstream music taste so much, with some of our old favorites such as blink-182, Green Day and more hitting the TRL charts and performing on stage. 

The Ashlee Simpson Show

This show, which followed 19-year-old musician Ashlee Simpson, seemed like it was more for the punk kids. Ashlee is the younger sister to Jessica Simpson, who at the time was in the height of her pop star fame. However, Ashlee was like us: She dyed her hair a lot, had boy problems and liked to be the opposite of Jessica. 

My Super Sweet 16 

Anyone who was a teen while this aired dreamt of having a Sweet 16 party like the ones on this show. We got to see bratty rich kids cry about not getting the car they wanted or that their parents didn’t book a superstar to perform. My Super Sweet 16 is the perfect TV to watch mindlessly on repeat while you’re having a sick day or something. Plus, they had some pretty epic musical guests such as My Chemical Romance, Cobra Starship, Unwritten Law and the Plain White T’s.