Pop stars, fans say goodbye to MTV’s ‘TRL’

NEW YORK - Carson Daly chatted with Eminem, Beyonce gave a show-stopping performance, girls shrieked at the sight of Justin Timberlake and hundreds of fans lined up outside in Times Square for a glimpse at superstars.

For few hours, it seemed like old times at MTV’s “Total Request Live” — back when the show was not only music’s most powerful force but a dominant part of pop culture. Unfortunately, it took the show’s demise to make it relevant again.

MTV pulled the plug on its most influential franchise Sunday night following years of declining ratings, but not before marking the occasion with celebration and nostalgia, as some of pop’s biggest stars paid respects to the show that helped launch their careers.

“I feel like they’re kinda tearin’ down my home,” Eminem said via phone as he and Daly, “TRL’s” first and most famous host, commiserated during the live, three-hour broadcast from the show’s headquarters.

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Diddy, the show’s most frequent guest, said as he cried mock tears and gave one of the final waves to the Times Square audience from “TRL’s” glass-encased studios above.

MTV has had other shows that will be remembered for changing the musical landscape, including “Yo! MTV Raps,” but perhaps none greater than “TRL.” It made its debut in 1998, just as the teen pop phenomenon was about to explode, when the rap-rock hybrid was bubbling over, and groups like Destiny’s Child were considered emerging acts.

While its concept of a video countdown show wasn’t new, its model — which included a live show, an audience full of enthusiastic kids and viewer feedback — helped energize the teen fan base and made them music’s tastemakers. Soon, “TRL” would become an integral part of boosting the careers of superstars like Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync, Eminem and Christina Aguilera. It’s no coincidence that their biggest sales, and pop’s huge sales boom in the new millennium, came during the show’s most potent era.

“If it wasn’t for ‘TRL,’ I don’t think I would have this launching pad for my career,” said a cigar-smoking Kid Rock, who came to prominence as a raucous rap-rocker on “TRL” with his baudy hit “Bawitdaba” but has since morphed into a country-rock career that is more CMT than MTV.

“It’s a big loss, not having this as a platform to promote our music,” said 50 Cent in the show’s waning moments.

In its prime, “TRL” had “American Idol”-like power to influence sales on the pop charts, and became a required stop, not only for those on the road to pop stardom, but those in TV, movies and even sports superstars. Tom Cruise and Will Smith made stops before a new movie; all-star athletes like Derek Jeter mingled with the teens; even legends like Madonna and Michael Jackson made sure they got “TRL” face-time.

The moments weren’t always cheery, though. The Backstreet Boys broke news of member A.J. McLean’s drug and alcohol rehab on the show; Mariah Carey’s bizarre moment involving a striptease and ice cream defined her time of emotional instability.

Both of those moments were replayed during Sunday’s show, but the event mostly recalled its musical legacy, highlighted by performances from its most important alumni. Beyonce opened the show with her new singles, “If I Were A Boy” and “Single Ladies,” but also gyrated to one of her superstar-making hit “Crazy in Love,” which got endless plays on “TRL.”

“This show obviously launched the careers of so many people,” said Daly, the now late-night talk show host who could include himself in that category. “This is a sad moment.”

Timberlake didn’t perform, but arrived with JC Chasez, his fellow ‘N Sync member, and hailed the show for making his launching-pad group one of music’s best-selling acts.

“This is like a high school reunion in a way,” said Timberlake. “I feel like we all grew up together. ‘TRL’ was so integral to our careers.”

Like all reunions, the show featured appearances from its past graduating classes, like former VJs Vanessa Minnillo, Hilarie Burton (now an actress on “One Tree Hill”) and trivia game answer Jesse Camp. Snoop Dogg, Nelly and Ludacris rapped some of their biggest hits in a hip-hop melody; Fall Out Boy performed in Times Square without the services of soon-to-be-dad Pete Wentz, who spoke later via phone (Wentz is the host of the video show that is taking the place of TRL — “FNMTV.”)

But TRL’s greatest claim to fame was a no-show. Spears entire career, from its meteoric rise to tragic downturn to recent resurgence, was chronicled on TRL, but she didn’t attend the goodbye gala. Still, her presence loomed large: As the show did its final countdown of all-time videos, her now-iconic first hit, “… Baby One More Time,” emerged as the top video, and played as the credits of the show ran for the final time.

Paramore Takes Top Honors At MTVu Woodie Awards

Perhaps accurately representing the iPod generation, no one artist or genre dominated at the 2008 MTVu Woodie Awards, held last night (Nov. 12) at New York’s Roseland Ballroom.

Motion City Soundtrack kicked off the night by winning the video of the year Woodie for “It Had To Be You.” They were followed by indie rappers Atmosphere, who picked up the Performance Woodie. Eighties revivalists Chromeo took home the Left Field Woodie, while NYU band the Bride Wore Black won for best music on campus.

The Breaking Woodie went to emo band There For Tomorrow. Jack’s Mannequin took home the Good Woodie for charitable work, and Paramore snagged the top prize, Woodie of the Year.

Live performances at the show included short sets by Cool Kids, Lykke Li (who was joined by Q-Tip), All Time Low, Santogold and Vampire Weekend.

Superstars Sign On For ‘TRL’ Finale

Some of the biggest names in pop music will be on hand Sunday (Nov. 16) for the final episode of MTV’s “Total Request Live,” including Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Nelly in a one-off performance.

Other performances will be turned in by Beyonce, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy and the Backstreet Boys. Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, JC Chasez, Christina Aguilera, Travis Barker, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff, Fred Durst and Korn’s Jonathan Davis will also be on hand.

“TRL” debuted in September 1998 amid the teen pop music craze led by Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Various hosts from throughout the show’s history will also be on hand for the finale.

American Acts Win Big At MTV EMAs

American pop artists dominated the MTV Europe Music Awards last night (Oct. 6) at Liverpool Echo Arena, and the performers and winners were also keen to bask in President-elect Barack Obama’s election victory.

Britney Spears sent a video acceptance for her two awards: best album for “Blackout” (Jive/Sony BMG) and best act of 2008. Host Katy Perry, whose costumes included an Obama-print dress, won the new act gong. “I want a recount,” she said. “The host can’t win.” Perry also opened the show sitting astride a giant chapstick during a performance of “I Kissed a Girl.”

Pink collected the first award of the night, taking most addictive track for “So What” (LaFace/Sony BMG). California rock act 30 Seconds To Mars won the rock out award and the video star award for “A Beautiful Lie” (Virgin). The awards were voted for online by fans across Europe.

“This has been a really exciting week for us Americans,” said frontman Jared Leto, who got the crowd to chant “Congrats Barack.”

There was also recognition for a Liverpool’s most famous musician, with Bono presenting the ultimate legend award to Sir Paul McCartney. “This is the man who invented my job,” said the U2 singer. Bono was also jeered when he said the Beatles would have been Irish, if the Irish potato famine hadn’t driven their ancestors to Britain.

“I’ve got to thank my mates Ringo, George and John,” said McCartney. “Many years ago, four little boys born here in Liverpool — and we went on to do quite well.” McCartney also thanked people in the U.S. for “voting in Mr. Obama.”

The Liverpool crowd gave a warm reception to U.K. acts who performed, including Take That, the Ting Tings and Duffy. U.K. urban artist Estelle joined Kanye West for their first major awards show collaboration on “American Boy,” featuring a ticker-tape finale with an image of Obama on the giant screen.

Eighties pop act Rick Astley was the unlikely winner of the best act ever, following a viral Internet campaign that raised his profile in the past year.

Other performers included the Killers, Kid Rock, Beyonce, Pink and local indie rock act the Wombats, who covered Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love.” Perry closed the show with a performance of “Hot N Cold.”

MTV Laying TRL to Rest

It’s the end of an era for MTV.

Executive producer Dave Sirulnick said Monday that the final episode of TRL will air in November.

And, considering what MTV’s program schedule looks like these days, the two-hour special—which doesn’t have an exact date yet but will be shown on a Saturday afternoon—will seemingly be the most time the network has devoted to music videos all at once (minus the annual VMAs) in ages.

While this won’t be the last episode ever of what premiered in 1998 as the Carson Daly-hosted Total Request Live, which helped introduce über-popsters such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake (as part of ‘N Sync) to the world, Sirulnick agreed that the interactive video-countdown show could use a break.

Daly left his career-making venture for NBC’s late-night pastures in 2003, after which a revolving lineup of VJs, including Damien Fahey, LaLa Vasquez and Nick Lachey squeeze Vanessa Minnillo, took turns hosting.

TRL, which started taping two episodes a day last year, marked its 2,000th episode on May 22, 2007. Later that year, in a nod to the fact that the show was no longer a singular destination for fans’ video-viewing pleasure, producers turned to a combination of votes, chart action, downloads, ringtone purchases, radio play and Internet streaming to determine the top videos each week.

“I’m going to miss TRL,” Eminem, who graced the show’s Times Square studio many times over the years, said in a statement. “Where else will I be able to start feuds, defend my honor vigorously and act like an angry teenager on national TV? Oh wait…the VMAs!”

Pretty much, considering MTV is known to the current channel-flipping generation more for being the home of The Hills than the network where, for most of the 1990s, you could catch the Top 100 Videos of All Time countdown (which always ended with Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in the No. 1 and 2 spots).

Starting in November, new and viewer-tested videos will continue to have a home on the Pete Wentz-hosted FNMTV, featuring a pretaped combo of videos and in-studio performances, which had a successful 15-episode run on Friday nights this summer.

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2008 MTV Video Music Award’s - Part 1

These were my predictions for the 2008 MTV VMA’s. I didn’t do so hot.

Best New Artist

Nominees
Miley Cyrus - 7 Things
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
Jordin Sparks - No Air
Taylor Swift - Teardrops On My Guitar
Tokio Hotel - Ready, Set, Go! (Winner)

Who I Think Should Win?
Taylor Swift - Teardrops On My Guitar

Who Will Probably Win?
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

Best Rock Video

Nominees
Fall Out Boy feat John Mayer - Beat It
Foo Fighters - The Pretender
Linkin Park - Shadow Of The Day (Winner)
Paramore - CrushCrushCrush
Slipknot - Psychosocial

Who I Think Should Win?
Foo Fighters - The Pretender

Who Will Probably Win?
Fall Out Boy feat John Mayer - Beat It

Video Of The Year

Nominees
Chris Brown - Forever
Jonas Brothers - Burnin Up
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
Britney Spears - Piece Of Me (Winner)
The Ting Tings - Shut Up and Let Me Go

Who I Think Should Win?
Chris Brown - Forever

Who Will Probably Win?
Chris Brown - Forever

Best Dancing In A Video

Nominees
Chris Brown - Forever
Danity Kane - Damaged
Madonna feat Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes
Ne-Yo - Closer
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up (Winner)

Who I Think Should Win?
Ne-Yo - Cloer (Tough Call)

Who Will Probably Win?
Madonna feat Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes

Best Hip-Hop Video

Nominees
Mary J Blige - Just Fine
Lupe Fiasco - Superstar
Flo-Rida - Low
Lil Wayne - Lollipop (Winner)
Kanye West - Homecoming

Who I Think Should Win?
Flo-Rida - Low

Who Will Probably Win?
Lil Wayne - Lollipop (God Forbid) (Winner)

Best Pop Video

Nominees
Danity Kane - Damaged
Jonas Brothers - Burnin Up
Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
Britney Spears - Piece Of Me (Winner)
Tokio Hotel - Ready, Set, Go

Who I Think Should Win?
Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon

Who Will Probably Win?
Tokio Hotel - Ready, Set, Go!

Best Male Video

Nominees
Chris Brown - With You (Winner)
Flo-Rida - Low
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
T.I. - No Matter What
Usher - Love In This Club

Who I Think Should Win?
Chris Brown - With You (Winner)

Who Will Probably Win?
Chris Brown - With You (Winner)

Best Female Video

Nominees
Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
Rihanna - Take A Bow
Jordin Sparks - No Air
Britney Spears - Piece Of Me (Winner)

Who I Think Should Win?
Rihanna - Take A Bow

Who Will Probably Win?
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

Best Art Direction

Nominees
Gnarls Barkley - Run (Winner)
MGMT - Electric Feel Version 2
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
The White Stripes - Conquest

Who I Think Should Win?
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up

Who Will Probably Win?
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

Best Choreography

Nominees
Adele - Chasing Pavements
Chris Brown - Forever
Chris Brown - Kiss Kiss
Gnarls Barkley - Run (Winner)
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up

Who I Think Should Win?
Pusscat Dolls - When I Grow Up

Who Will Probably Win?
Gnarls Barkley - Run (Winner)

Best Cinematography

Nominees
Erykah Badu - Honey
Death Cab For A Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
The White Strips - Conquest (Winner)

Who I Think Should Win?
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

Who Will Probably Win?
Death Cab For A Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart