MTV's most popular shows

MTV's original VJs

We've wanted our MTV since it started in August 1981 with original VJs Alan Hunter, left, Martha Quinn, Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood and J.J. Jackson.

"The Real World"

"The Real World," which premiered on MTV in 1992, was one of the first reality shows on television. Boston, which featured housemates Elka Walker, left, Jason Cornwell, Kameelah Phillips, Genesis Moss, Sean Duffy, Montana McGlynn and Syrus Yarbrough, was the setting for season 6.

"Beavis and Butt-head"

"Beavis and Butt-head," the MTV toon about two dim-witted, uneducated dudes who live for rock, partying and little else, was a huge hit when it debuted in 1993.

"Daria"

"Daria" was the complete opposite of "Beavis and Butt-head." The animated series, which premiered on MTV in 1997, focused on a teenage girl who solved life's problems with wit and intelligence.

"Total Request Live"

Carson Daly hosted MTV's "Total Request Live," a video countdown show that aired weekday afternoons on MTV, from 1998 to 2002.

"Jackass"

Johnny Knoxville's career got a big kick from his appearances on "Jackass," MTV's reality show about people doing dangerous and crude stunts. The show ran from 2000 to 2002.

"The Osbournes"

Father definitely didn't know best on "The Osbournes," MTV's 2002 reality show about rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his offbeat family, including daughter Kelly, wife Sharon and son Jack.

"Punk'd"

Ashton Kutcher was the brains behind the 2003 series "Punk'd," MTV's spin on "Candid Camera" for the 21st century.

"Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County"

MTV chronicled the lives of students at Laguna Beach High School in the reality show "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," which ran from 2004 to 2006.

"The Hills"

"The Hills," a 2006 spinoff of "Laguna Beach," focused on the efforts of Lauren Conrad, left, to make it in the fashion business in Los Angeles. The show also featured her friends Audrina Patridge, Heidi Montag, seated, and Whitney Port, right.

"Jersey Shore"

Critics loathed "Jersey Shore," but the reality show about the beach bums who lived to get tan, work out and party hard became a fan phenomenon during its run from 2009 to 2012.

"Teen Wolf"

Not all of MTV's successes have been reality shows. The scripted series "Teen Wolf," starring Tyler Posey in the role created on screen by Michael J. Fox, was a hit since its beginning in 2011.