List RulesPast and present original MTV series
The best MTV original shows include reality shows, music series, comedies, and dramas, as well as animated series. MTV started out as "Music Television" in 1981, but over the years, the programming has greatly expanded. These days, it's tough to find an actual music show on the network. That being said, viewers have no doubt enjoyed a lot of MTV's original shows. Which one is the best? That's for you to decide, with your votes. Also, if you have a personal favorite original MTV series (past or present) that isn't listed here, feel free to add it.
Some of the most popular MTV original programs are, not surprisingly, reality shows. Among them: The wildly popular Jersey Shore, which will conclude after six seasons. This show made household names out of it's stars, especially Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino and Jennifer "JWoww" Farley. A spinoff, 'Snooki & JWoww,' began airing in June of 2012 as well.
Other well-known current MTV original shows include Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant, Made and True Life. MTV also has a hit on its hands with the original drama series Teen Wolf, starring Tyler Posey as Scott McCall, a full-time high school student/werewolf.
Animated original MTV programming are also extremely popular. Examples, you say? How about the animated TV series Beavis and Butt-head (which returned with new episodes in 2011) or the spinoff Daria, which aired for five seasons?
Several of MTV's best original shows could, arguably, be listed among the best TV shows of recent memory -- depending on how you define that, of course. TV fans, if you love reality television shows, check out these lists of the best reality competition shows and reality dramas, and paranormal reality shows ever.1
467308Daria
Tracy Grandstaff, Wendy HoopesPremiered: 1997
Genres (Tv): Animation, Sitcom, Comedy, Animated series
Daria is an American animated television series created by Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis Lynn... more on Wikipedia2
480329The Real World
Jamie Chung, Steven HillPremiered: 1992
Genres (Tv): Reality television
The Real World (MTV, 1992) is an American reality television program inspired by the 1973 PBS... more on Wikipedia3
413274MTV Unplugged
Jules ShearPremiered: 1989
Genres (Tv): Music
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic... more on Wikipedia4
502363Jackass
Johnny Knoxville, Bam MargeraPremiered: 2000
Genres (Tv): Action/Adventure, Adventure film, Comedy, Action, Reality television
Jackass is an American reality series, originally shown on MTV from 2000 to 2002, featuring... more on Wikipedia5
452335Celebrity Deathmatch
Maurice Schlafer, Len MaxwellPremiered: 1998
Genres (Tv): Animation, Satire, Sports film, Clay animation
Celebrity Deathmatch was a claymation television show that depicted celebrities against each... more on Wikipedia6
483374Beavis and Butt-head
Mike Judge, Dale RevoPremiered: 1992
Genres (Tv): Music video, Animation, Satire, Animated cartoon, Comedy
Beavis and Butt-head is an American animated sitcom created and designed by Mike Judge. The... more on Wikipedia7
399284True Life
Serena AltschulPremiered: 1998
Genres (Tv): Documentary, Reality television
True Life (MTV, 1998) is an American documentary television series. Each episode follows a... more on Wikipedia8
473365MTV Cribs
Su-chin PakPremiered: 2000
Genres (Tv): Reality television
MTV Cribs and CMT Cribs, depending on which channel it airs, is a franchise reality television... more on Wikipedia9
415310Pimp My Ride
Xzibit, BuckPremiered: 2004
Genres (Tv): Automotive, Reality television
Pimp My Ride is a TV show produced by MTV and hosted by rapper Xzibit. Each episode consists... more on Wikipedia10
433339Punk'd
Ashton Kutcher, Brian FitzpatrickPremiered: 2003
Genres (Tv): Reality television
Punk'd is an American hidden camera-practical joke reality television series that first aired... more on Wikipedia11
259187Room Raiders
Tim-Ryan O'Kane, Tom OberdickPremiered: 2004
Genres (Tv): Dating, Reality television
Room Raiders is a "dating/reality" series on MTV.12
425378Jersey Shore
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Vinny GuadagninoPremiered: 2009
Genres (Tv): Reality
Jersey Shore (MTV, 2009) is an American reality television series created by SallyAnn Salsano.... more on Wikipedia13
345316The Challenge
T.J. Lavin, Johnny 'Bananas' DevenanzioPremiered: 1998
Genres (Tv): Game show, Reality television
The Challenge is a reality game show on MTV that is spun off from the network's two reality... more on Wikipedia14
302267Catfish: The TV Show
Yaniv Schulman, Max JosephPremiered: 2012
Genres (Tv): Reality television
Catfish: The TV Show is an American reality-based docu-series television series airing on MTV... more on Wikipedia15
296254TRL
Hilarie Burton, Susie CastilloPremiered: 1998
Genres (Tv): Music video, Talk show
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was... more on Wikipedia16
344370Awkward.
Ashley Rickards, Beau MirchoffPremiered: 2011
Genres (Tv): Teen drama, Comedy-drama
Awkward (MTV, 2011) is an American teen comedy series created by Lauren Iungerich. After being... more on Wikipedia17
252249Singled Out
Carmen ElectraPremiered: 1995
Genres (Tv): Game show, Dating
Singled Out is a game show that ran on MTV from 1995 to 1998. Each episode featured a group of... more on Wikipedia18
283277Next
Lorin Eric Salm, Michael McKinleyPremiered: 2005
Genres (Tv): Dating, Reality television
Next is a dating game show produced by Kallissa Productions which ran on MTV from 2005–2008.19
315316Viva La Bam
Bam Margera, Vincent MargeraPremiered: 2003
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Reality television
Viva La Bam is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends... more on Wikipedia20
250245Ridiculousness
Sterling Brim, Chanel West CoastPremiered: 2011
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Reality television
Ridiculousness is an American comedy clip show that began airing on August 29, 2011. On... more on Wikipedia21
235238Rob & Big
Julie Bennett, Greg BursonPremiered: 2006
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Reality television
Rob & Big is an American reality television series that follows the lives of professional... more on Wikipedia22
259293Made
Indashio, Alicia MariePremiered: 2002
Genres (Tv): Reality television
MTV's MADE is a self-improvement reality television series broadcast on MTV. The series... more on Wikipedia23
283286Parental Control
Shawn Turner, Anant A.J. JiemjitpolchaiPremiered: 2005
Genres (Tv): Dating, Reality television
Parental Control is a heavily scripted "pseudo-reality" program produced by MTV. The two... more on Wikipedia24
311336The Osbournes
Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon OsbournePremiered: 2002
Genres (Tv): Reality television
The Osbournes (MTV, 2002) is an American reality television program. It features the domestic... more on Wikipedia25
193209Headbangers Ball
Adam CurryPremiered: 1987
Genres (Tv): Music television
Headbangers Ball was a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing... more on Wikipedia