It feels like a long, long time since MTV did anything to make young people think critically about something that actually matters, but the network actually embedded cameras with three Occupy Wall Street protesters for two weeks, and the resultant footage will be shown on “True Life: I’m Occupying Wall Street,” set to air Saturday, November 5th.

The clip above doesn’t exactly do the OWS movement justice; for the most part, the protesters seem like people dead-set on living in a park, not focused on overhauling a corrupt financial system that crippled the country while the richest 1% grew even richer. But I’d assume that the finished product tells a better story, and really I’m just happy that MTV made something that isn’t about pregnant teenagers or Guido idiots. It’s such a huge step up that I can’t complain.

"OK boys, set your night sticks to WHOMP."

[Deadline]

You’re killin’ me, MTV. We finally got through the endless monotony of Season 4 of “Jersey Shore,” and already Season 5 is waiting in the wings, ready to detail the Guidos’ of this past summer in Seaside Heights. Thankfully, the next season doesn’t kick off until early 2012, so this should be the last 3:30 of “Jersey Shore” you watch for another two months or so.

However, this clip of the continuing apocalypse comes with a silver lining: for the first time ever, ratings were down for a “Jersey Shore” finale.

Gasp you should. Italy was crazy dull, yo.

Shore delivered 6.6 million viewers for its season 4 finale, down 13 percent from season 3′s closer. That downturn is despite the season launching higher than ever, with a spectacular 8.8 million blowout that was MTV’s most-watched series premiere ever. So far Shore finales have clocked 4.8 million for season one, 6.1 million for season two, 7.6 million for season three and, now, reversing down to 6.6 million. [Inside TV]

More like “Jersey BORE!” Ha ha, total burn.

Below is the trailer for the reborn version of “Beavis and Butt-Head,” which premieres on MTV Thursday, October 27th. It’s not exactly ground-breaking considering we got five minutes of new footage during Comic-Con, but at least this shows us more of the idiots we loved and grew up with in the ’90s, unless you’re too young to have watched it, in which case screw you and your youth.

ANYWAY, the plot hasn’t changed — Beavis and Butt-Head are still young morons stumbling through the world — but the most promising aspect looks to be the way the two watch MTV reality shows like “Jersey Shore” and “Teen Mom.” Or maybe I’m just an A-hole who likes seeing stupid things get made fun of. That’s entirely possible.

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has stripped “Jersey Shore” of a tax credit used to lure TV and film productions to the state. Christie, an avid fan fried food and lethargy, was reportedly offended by the “G” in GTL.

Gov. Christie squashed a controversial $420,000 tax credit called the “Snooki subsidy” for the first season of the hit MTV show, saying taxpayers could not afford to support a program that tarnishes the state’s reputation.

“I have no interest in policing the content of such projects,” the governor said in a news release. “However, as chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the state and its citizens.” [NJ.com]

Actually, that sounds pretty reasonable. But let’s not kid ourselves about New Jersey’s reputation. It’s not like anyone’s ever thought of Jersey as some pristine Valhalla. I lived in central Jersey twenty years ago, and even back then my family called it The Garbage State. So Christie can go ahead and bash “Jersey Shore” all he wants, but that’s not going to get rid of Atlantic City or Newark or Trenton. I’m on to you, fatty.

I didn’t bother watching the MTV Video Music Awards, but the former music channel’s circle-jerk celebration of the music industry somehow drew 12.4 million total viewers, the largest audience in the network’s 30-year history. In related news, I am officially old.

In the network’s target persons 12-34 audience, the VMAs delivered a 10.8 rating (8.5 million), making it MTV’s most-watched telecast of all time in the demo. Versus last year’s show, the VMAs were up 8% with  persons 12-34 and 9% with total viewers. The 2011 VMAs now rank as the No. 1 cable telecast of 2011 with persons 12-34 and the No. 1 non-sports cable telecast of 2011 with total viewers…

The VMAs were probably helped by a new Jersey Shore, which aired at 7 PM, leading into the VMA pre-show. The reality juggernaut drew more than 8 million viewers and a 7.5 P12-34 rating (5.9 million), up 36% from last year. [Deadline]

Damn MTV, with its “Jersey Shore,” and its transgender stars like Gaga and Bieber, and its long hair and saggy pants, prancing around in its underwear like the world is a goddam burlesque show. Get off my lawn!