There was a time when this TV channel wasn’t just a logo on a tote bag or a nostalgic playlist on Spotify.

Marrakech – MTV was a cultural force, a rite of passage, and, for many of us, the background noise of our teenage years. 

The 2010s may not have been MTV’s golden era of music videos, but it was our era of chaotic, highly addictive reality TV and scripted dramas that shaped how we saw love, friendship, and — let’s be honest — our own self-destructive tendencies.

So let’s take a moment to revisit the MTV shows that raised us, entertained us, and maybe even traumatized us a little.

Jersey Shore 

If you weren’t yelling “Cabs are here!” or judging someone’s smush room choices, were you even watching “Jersey Shore”? 

The GTL lifestyle (Gym, Tan, Laundry) was practically a philosophy, and let’s be honest — we all knew a Snooki, wanted to be a Pauly D, and secretly feared becoming a Ronnie. 

It was trash TV at its finest, and we loved every second of it.

Catfish: The TV Show 

“Catfish” wasn’t just a reality show; it was a public service. 

Every episode was a crash course in online dating and the fine art of discovering that the person you were in love with might just be an entirely different person altogether. 

Nev Schulman, with his no-nonsense approach, and the adorable Max Joseph (where’d he go?), became the unlikely heroes of a generation that was slowly getting used to the idea that maybe, just maybe, not everyone you meet online is who they say they are. 

It was heart-wrenching, sometimes awkward, but always utterly compelling.

Awkward 

There’s awkward, and then there’s “Awkward”. 

This show took that universally cringe-worthy phase of teenage life — the missteps, the misunderstandings, the embarrassing moments — and turned it into a hilarious, heartwarming rollercoaster. 

Jenna Hamilton, the awkward girl with a voiceover you could practically hear in your own head, became an icon for anyone who’s ever made a mistake or found themselves in a socially weird situation. 

If you didn’t relate to her, did you even survive high school?

Ridiculousness 

You know that friend who can quote internet memes all day long? 

Well, “Ridiculousness” was the TV version of that. 

Rob Dyrdek, Chanel West Coast, and Steelo Brim were the ultimate dream team, dissecting the wildest and funniest viral videos with a level of enthusiasm that made you think you could do this too… if only you had the nerve. 

Whether it was epic fails, pets doing ridiculous things, or pure internet gold, this show turned our endless scrolling into a nightly ritual.

Teen Mom 

For all the drama and all the judgment, “Teen Mom” offered a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the lives of young mothers navigating relationships, parenthood, and everything in between. 

We all watched in awe (and a bit of concern) as Farrah, Maci, Amber, and Catelynn grew up in front of our eyes.

It wasn’t always easy, but the show gave voice to a real-life experience, showing both the struggles and the triumphs of young women forging their own paths while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood.

Feeling nostalgic yet?

For us, the 2010s were defined by these shows that gave us escapism, drama, and a whole lot of life lessons, wrapped in reality TV and cheeky teen drama. 

MTV wasn’t just a network — it was a space where we could laugh, cry, and feel a little less weird about the chaos of growing up.

So here’s to the shows that made us cringe, laugh, and maybe even say, “That’s so me!” 

Which one shaped your 2010s the most? 

We’re all part of the same MTV-loving generation, whether we’re still watching the reruns or trying to explain to younger folks why these shows were everything.