Believe it or not, MTV used to care about music. Laugh all you want, but it’s true.

It wasn’t that long ago either. It was a time when Run DMC was tougher than leather, Michael Jackson proved who was bad and Nirvana smelled of adolescent sweat.

MTV actually stood for Music Television. It featured rock musicians, rappers and pop artists alike. Even Paula Abdul got airtime; she showed how “Opposites Attract” by dancing around with an animated cat. (That video won a Grammy, too. Go figure.)

The cable channel showcased it all – one music video at a time.

Then “The Real World” came along and ruined the station forever.

Sure, the first few seasons were fun. I still say the San Francisco “Real World” was the best. Pedro brought real-life drama to the show; you couldn’t help but feel sorry for Judd and, well, there was Puck.

But once the suits caught wind of the popularity surrounding “reality” TV – and all the dollar signs that came with it – music suddenly didn’t matter so much.

“Change is inevitable ? nothing is going to stay the same,” said Fab 5 Freddy, the original host of “Yo! MTV Raps.” “It would be great to have great and interesting videos, but I guess MTV’s business model changed; they had to grow up and move on into directions they felt were better for them.”

What makes me sad is MTV decided that producing ultra trash like “The Hills” was the right direction to head in.

I realize change is inevitable. I understand not every show is going to be as groundbreaking as “Yo! MTV Raps” or as interesting as “MTV Unplugged.” But to sell-out every ounce of integrity it built as a television station dedicated to music isn’t a change – it’s a complete transformation.

What was once a cocoon of potential has malformed into a “reality”-show-excreting beast. “Rob and Big,” “My Super Sweet 16” and “Parental Control” are only a few examples.

The part that really grinds my gears is that the potential MTV has as a platform for music and the artists involved. Imagine a world in which MTV played music videos, interviewed artists and reviewed new music from bands spanning the globe – a place where your favorite local band could submit its video to be played alongside the most veteran acts.

Simply put, MTV could be amazing. The cable station could help breathe life into a music industry that some are predicting is on its deathbed. MTV, however, could care less.

Videos may have killed the radio star, but reality shows are killing music television.

Jake Corbin can be reached at [email protected]