An article in Salon taking us behind the scenes at TRL. As scripted and vacuous as everything else that MTV has become in the last decade. Best of all though is that no one involved seems to mind. The goal is to get on TV. Everything else is incidental. Least important of all is the video or guest the show is promoting at the time. Two of my favorite exchanges:

"Back in the guest-list line, Nadine and her friend Vicki are trying to figure out who the other musical guest is. "Wilma? Willa something?" she wonders. "Willa Feared?"

'Willa Ford,' says a girl in front of her, an angelic blond wearing a pink tank top. 'But she's a motherfucking bitch. You know she beat up Nick? From the Backstreet Boys? Fucking skank.' (Hating Ford is a popular activity among some teenagers.) She rolls her eyes, which are covered in purple glitter, angrily. 'And I don't even know who Aaliyah is.'" [This was several weeks ago, before Aaliyah died.]

Exchage 2:

"Hi, my name's Michelle, I'm from South Carolina and I like Backstreet because I love their music and their new video rocks!" the teenager says on cue.

"Mmmm. No," says the staffer, sighing heavily. "First of all, you forgot your 'Woooo!' You have to 'Woooo!' at the end of your shout-out. Don't ever forget to 'Woooo!' Now, which Backstreet is your favorite?"

"Um ... Nick!"

"How about Kevin? Can Kevin be your favorite?" Nick is so pass�.

"Sure, OK!"


What I find most amusing is that this has taken all of its cues from radio. It's exactly the same set-up as trying to get your "request" played, and "your" shout-out aired. A fun article all around. And remember, don't ever forget your "Woooooo!"

- posted by levinson @ 8/29/2001 07:42:00 AM