In the Soundbites series, Viacom employees describe a project or experience that has influenced how they approach their work.
When Josh Horowitz landed the job coordinating MTV’s movie coverage online in 2006, he didn’t know anyone at the network and had a background in print and television. Really, he says, MTV took a big chance by hiring him.
He traveled all around the world to cover blockbuster movie releases, interview A-lister talent, and even co-host the MTV Movie and TV Awards red carpet coverage. “Basically, [I was] running around the planet trying to figure out how to connect the audience with the films and the filmmakers and the movie stars that they wanted to see,” Horowitz explains.
Then, 12 years and countless assignments later, the risk turned into a reward for Horowitz and MTV’s parent company, Viacom, as they signed an overall deal in April of 2018. As part of the deal, Horowitz’s sketch comedy series After Hours, which launched on MTV in 2010, is part of the Comedy Central digital family (through Viacom Digital Studios). Last year, he hosted live spots from the Bohemian Rhapsody premiere in London as part of his contribution to Viacom Velocity.
Horowitz explains how he went from reviewing the red carpet to developing content across Viacom:
Viacom: What can we expect from your overall deal with Viacom?
Josh Horowitz: I’ve probably been busier than I’ve ever been and I’m really excited about everything going on. At MTV, we just spent a week at the Sundance Film Festival interviewing everyone and anyone. We're developing a new high-profile interview franchise for me where I'm going to take A-list stars into very personal environments. We just did an episode with Chris Pratt where we took him to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., where he actually got his start in the business. He was discovered at a Bubba Gump. That was a surreal, amazing moment.
Over at the Comedy Central side, we have seamlessly moved my MTV franchise After Hours to the Comedy Central brand and it’s been hugely exciting to work with that team. We've been cranking out some of my favorite sketches we've ever done with the likes of Sam Rockwell, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
V: What’s one of the most memorable celebrity experiences?
JH: Part of the joy of doing what I've done for as long as I have is that I've established relationships with some notable actors and I get to talk to them in unusual environments. I remember one year doing the backstage coverage at the MTV Movie Awards and talking to Chris Pratt just as he was rising. He had probably just been cast in Guardians of the Galaxy. I remember talking to him backstage and an overzealous security guard insisted that we both vacate the premises because we didn't have the right badge. So, it was me and Chris Pratt and my cameraman being pushed out of the venue.
All worked out in the end, all in good fun, but every time I see Chris Pratt, we always remind each other of that year that we were kicked out of our own event.
V: How have you seen Viacom evolve since Bob Bakish has become CEO?
JH: I've been in the MTV and Viacom universe long enough to see the natural ups and downs that any company goes through and changes in leadership. And I will say, truly, since Bob has taken the helm I have noticed a renewed sense of enthusiasm and excitement. There seems to be a plan in place and a willingness to adapt and evolve, and be a part of a changing media landscape like we never have been before.
There's new leadership at MTV and MTV News. There's excitement there. There's the emergence of VDS [Viacom Digital Studios] under Kelly Day, which has been really exciting for me. There's excitement in the air, and that's certainly what MTV was always built on, that youthful enthusiasm and innovation. It’s exciting to see that exist even outside of the MTV realm and into all of Viacom.
V: Do you have a proudest Viacom moment?
JH: I've been privileged with a ton of amazing experiences and stories in my time at Viacom. I mean some of my proudest moments revolve around the MTV Movie Awards, and now, the Movie and TV Awards. I've had the privilege of hosting or co-hosting the red carpet show many years, and that's a big opportunity. The pop culture world is watching MTV and Viacom on that night and to represent the channel, the brand, on the carpet at the nexus of pop culture on a night like that is a huge privilege. There's nothing like live television. I always get a rush out of it. I've had to hear that person in my ear counting down from five, four, three, two, one to toss into the live show for years ... there's no greater rush than that.
