Watch MTV's Liquid Television

MTV's Liquid Television was a groundbreaking television show that premiered in 1991 and ran until 1994. The show featured a rotating cast of animated shorts, music videos, and other avant-garde content. Some of the most notable creators and animators of the time contributed to the show, including Peter Chung, creator of Aeon Flux, and Mike Judge, creator of Beavis and Butt-Head.

One of the standout features of the show was its dedication to showcasing experimental and boundary-pushing animation styles. The show's creators and animators were given free reign to explore ideas and aesthetics that were not typically seen on television at the time. This approach helped to establish Liquid Television as a cult classic in the years following its original run.

Another unique aspect of the show was its use of live-action interstitials, which featured hosts Holly Payne, William Waghorn, and Mandy Perryment introducing each episode and providing context for the animated shorts and other segments that followed. The hosts often engaged in surreal and absurdist humor that complemented the tone of the show's content.

In addition to the short animated segments, Liquid Television also featured music video premieres and occasional live-action sketches. These sketches, much like the animated segments, often featured offbeat and experimental humor that was not commonly seen on television at the time. The show's willingness to take risks and push boundaries helped to distinguish it from other programs of its era.

One of the most memorable segments from the show was Peter Chung's Aeon Flux, which would eventually be developed into a full series that aired on MTV from 1995 to 1997. Aeon Flux followed the adventures of a futuristic secret agent named Aeon, and featured innovative animation and storytelling techniques that were ahead of their time.

Other segments from Liquid Television included Dog-Boy, a darkly comedic take on superhero tropes; Winter Steele, which chronicled the life of a transgender performance artist; and The Specialists, a parody of action-adventure cartoons that featured two unlikely heroes battling absurd villains.

In addition to its impact on animation and television as a medium, Liquid Television also helped to further establish MTV as a cultural force in the early 1990s. The show's boundary-pushing content and eclectic mix of styles and genres appealed to a young, forward-thinking audience that was eager for new and exciting forms of entertainment.

Today, Liquid Television remains a beloved artifact of 1990s pop culture, and continues to inspire new generations of artists and animators with its innovative and offbeat approach to storytelling. Despite its relatively short run, the show left an indelible mark on the world of animation and remains a testament to the power of experimental and avant-garde creative expression.

MTV's Liquid Television is a series that ran for 3 seasons (22 episodes) between June 2, 1991 and on MTV