Over here in the UK MTV meant the excellent MTV's Most Wanted, presented by Ray Cokes, someone who should have gone on to be a huge TV star but disappeared without trace (Wikipedia tells me he moved to Belgium and had a TV career there). MTV Europe's highest watched show, and one of the most fun pieces of television ever. Fondly remembered by all who watched it.
And, of course, the gorgeous Vanessa Warwick. You Americans don't know what you were missing...