If you’ve ever watched MTV, then you’re probably familiar with their infamous bumpers. For those who don’t know, a bumper is a quick promotional clip that generally consists of the MTV logo and a scene or two meant to get you pumped up for what’s coming next. But MTV isn't your typical network, so naturally, their bumpers have always been...well, let's just say "unique".
For instance, have you ever seen a cat drinking milk in space? Well, with MTV, you have. Yes, one of the network’s bumpers features a tabby wearing an astronaut helmet, chugging back milk while floating among the stars. It's an otherworldly sight, to say the least. But why did they choose a cat, of all things, to represent music and pop culture? We may never know.
And then there's the infamous pancake promo. In this one, a celebrity (who shall remain nameless) is shown flipping through the air, only to land on a griddle as a large, fluffy pancake. The bizarre clip speaks to MTV’s love of all things that don’t make a lot of sense, and it definitely got people's attention.
But why stop at pancakes? In another MTV bumper, an entire city is turned to jelly at the flick of a switch. Yes, you read that right. The clip shows a scientist flipping a switch, which immediately turns the city into wobbling, jiggling gelatin. It’s as weird as it is fascinating.
Of course, MTV bumpers don't always have to be mind-bending. They can be fun, too. Take the classic bumper where the MTV logo is formed out of crayons, for example. It's cute, it's colourful, and it's catchy. It's the kind of clip that can immediately transport you back to your childhood.
But perhaps the weirdest of all MTV’s bumpers is the one where a group of rapping squirrels help promote the network. This one is hard to describe, but imagine a tree filled with squirrels that suddenly break into rap, encouraging you to watch MTV. It’s something out of a fever dream, but somehow it works.
All of these strange scenes are, of course, designed to keep us watching. They grab our attention and make us eager for what’s coming up next. But they also show us that MTV is different - it’s always been about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and doing things its own way. Whether that means putting cats in space or turning cities into jelly, it's all part of the MTV magic.
So the next time you find yourself humming along to the MTV theme tune, remember all the weird and wonderful bumpers that came before it. And who knows - maybe the next one will feature an alien creature walking on eight legs across a strange new planet. You’ll have to tune in to find out.
