Strange Phenomenon: Use of the Word "Epic"

The new hot word is apparently "epic."  Let's visit the definition according to dictionary.com.

–adjective Also, ep·i·cal.

1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.

2. resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.

3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.

4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.

–noun

5. an epic poem.

6. epic poetry.

7. any composition resembling an epic.

8. something worthy to form the subject of an epic: The defense of the Alamo is an American epic.

9. ( initial capital letter ) Also called Old Ionic. the Greek dialect represented in the Iliad  and the Odyssey,  apparently Aeolic modified by Ionic.

Spectacular word, I agree.  But recently, so misused!  Examples from the MTV music awards (I know, the bastion of intelligent life form...):

1.  Preface to a two minute interview with Lady Gaga:  Coming up, an epic exclusive interview with Lady Gaga.  

2.  Describing the 2010 MTV music award stage as "epic."

I'm sure they didn't mean a long poetic composition.  That leaves us with majestic, impressively great, or of unusually great size or extent. I'm all about words, I love word.  Just don't associate great words with the less than great, please?