Cannonball with Wesley Morris The V.M.A.s Are This Weekend. Does Anybody Care?
Sep 4, 2025
Niela Orr, a culture critic, joins to dissect what truly makes a music video unforgettable. They discuss the evolution of music videos from MTV to YouTube, highlighting the cultural shifts and enduring significance of the VMAs. Orr and the host share insights on effective storytelling, the impact of feminist themes in visuals, and the nostalgia versus innovation in iconic music videos. They also critique this year’s nominees, evaluating who deserves to take home the coveted moon men.
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First MTV Obsession
- Wesley Morris recalls discovering MTV as a child after his parents divorced and getting obsessed with watching videos all day.
- He describes watching every clip repeatedly and building a sense of completion from seeing all available videos.
Videos Shaped A Teen Social Life
- Niela Orr describes growing up organizing her social life around music videos and shows like TRL and 106 & Park.
- She credits videos with offering alternate interpretations of songs that ignited her critical thinking.
Taxonomy Of Music Video Forms
- Wesley Morris outlines a taxonomy of music-video types: portrait, story/short film, long-form, live performance, and montage-of-scenes.
- He argues these formats shaped how artists expressed stardom and storytelling on screen.