Aug. 28, 2025

Behind the Scenes of MTV's Glory Days with Graham James

Behind the Scenes of MTV's Glory Days with Graham James

In this episode of Welcome to the Music Lounge, hosts Andrew Schiffman and Perry Turcotte welcome Graham James, a former vice president of communications at MTV. They discuss Graham's journey to MTV, the excitement of working on the VMAs, the cultural impact of shows like The Osbournes, and the evolution of MTV's brand in the digital age. Graham shares memorable experiences from his time at MTV, the challenges of celebrity publicity, and his transition to Spotify. The conversation highlights the importance of creativity in communications and the changing landscape of media.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction02:47 Graham's Journey to MTV04:36 Life at MTV: The Press Team Experience08:07 The VMAs: Behind the Scenes10:36 The Role of Communications in Shaping Events14:57 The Osbournes: A Cultural Phenomenon16:55 Crisis Management in PR20:08 Pushing the Envelope: MTV's Bold Moves20:51 The MTV Phenomenon: Cultural Impact and Influence24:03 Creative Freedom and Innovation at MTV26:12 Memorable Moments and Experiences in Music30:02 Transitioning from MTV to Other Media34:25 Evolving Media Landscape: From Legacy to Digital36:40 Behind the Scenes: The Magic of Live Performances