Another message for Nickelodeon

Below my rant is a link to article published in Advertising Age that discusses Nickelodeon's attempts to become relevant again (well at least to me...they're obviously relevant to tons and tons of kids). It would only make sense that Nickelodeon has the bigger music presence, seeing as their parent company (MTV Networks/Viacom for those not paying attention) owns the most relevant music channels around, few people comparatively in the U.S. watch FUSE, which is the biggest music channel I could think of as a competitor (all deductive reasoning...I have no facts) and the Disney Channel airs its own videos on the Disney Channel. That's great Nickelodeon...compete with Disney..launch the Naked Brothers Band and find your very own "High School Musical" jackpot. But how about you focus on what Disney can't do...which is have an oldies night. I've expressed my desire, AdRants expressed their desire, millions of young adults on facebook create and join groups expressing their desire. You don't see this for The Mickey Mouse Club, Flash Forward, The Baby Sitters Club, Circus Smirkus, Bug Juice or any of the good older Disney Channel shows. Clarissa explained life for some of us. We're older and need her wisdom again, or just to remember the days when Kel told us Orange Soda was okay, before we learned about the sugar and calories in a single serving. I actually went to see Good Burger in the movie theaters. That's how much I loved you. Watching old "Legends of the Hidden Temple" on Nickelodeon GaS(Games and Sports) will not suffice, and Noggin's cool, but it ain't old school.

In closing Nickelodeon, remember the closing on The Brothers Garcia, "Todo para la familia." I'm family...do it for me (and Taina, cus that bit role in I Think I Love my Wife was sad)! Do it for the girl who was excited to go to her aunt's house because there awaited cable and quality tv.


Advertising Age Article

NICKELODEON

Earlier in the summer, as I sat unemployed, I took the time out to compose this message to Nickelodeon:

To whom it may concern:


I am not certain how old Nickelodeon is, but it is definitely old enough to exist as a point of nostalgia for several people. I'm only twenty one, but even in conversations with those ten years older than me, I hear people fondly reminiscing of shows they watched as a child on Nick. From "You Can't Do That on Television" to "Legends of the Hidden Temple" to more recent shows like "My Cousin Skeeter," Nickelodeon has a long representation of shows made for kids that click. Although I am not sure that viewer services is the place I should direct my email, I would like to propose to the programming department that Nickelodeon has an "Old School" night..perhaps on Nick @Nite or Noggin, or even a day of programming. I know several people my age would love to watch some old "Keenan and Kel," "The Secret World of Alex Mack" or "My Brother and Me." Perhaps a countdown special of greatest Nick episodes of all time would be good. Really, the Viacom partnership that has Nick paired with MTV networks and other networks like BET Networks, should allow the information to be spread pretty quickly. Its not like many young adults and college kids my age don't already get their "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" fix through Nickelodeon anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to read this email. I truly hope that someone considers the idea..especially since Viacom does a pretty good job of pulling clips of shows off-line anyway, and the Nick Classics website selling DVDs does not seem to be the most legit. If for any reason you could like to contact me, you can email me at {redacted} or call the number you see above. Enjoy your day.

They probably thought I was bitter since they didn't hire me, but I was sincerely interested in seeing this happen. Turns out I wasn't the only one. Check this post on Adrants today:

Nickelodeon Clutches Heartstrings of Suffering Quarterlifers

While conducting research for our last post, it came to our attention that there are a lot of bummed-out twenty-somethings sitting around making Nickelodeon tributes to shows they grew up with. (See more here.)

Why is no one -- least of all Nickelodeon -- exploiting this wellspring of self-obsessed nostalgia? If we saw Gumby or Inside-Out Boy pushing product at us, we'd be all over that in an irrational second.

And we'd possibly (though not probably) kill to see a marathon of Salute Your Shorts or something SNICK-like. We'd even revisit Hey Arnold! if we had to. Man. Remember when TV was good? Remember TGIF? WTF happened to TGIF?!

I want it, the real advertisers think its a good idea...Come on Nick. We all need to experience the awesomeness that was Amanda Diva on My Brother and Me or even The Brothers Garcia: toda para la familia.

If you want a real throwback, better than my pop culture throwback of the week: start spamming Viacom, MTV Networks, Nickelodeon...I'm sure they can figure out a way to make a profit off of this and get people to watch. Hmph (also do it in December when I'll be back stateside..thanks!)