Show #25: Road Rules

I'm really not sure when Road Rules began, but I do remember Mark as the official first Road Ruler. Road Rules was the answer to a "more lively Real World" in which six/seven castmates traveled the world to perform different stunts and challenges. Rather it be eating a delicacy in Europe or bungee jumping off a bridge, Road Rules always had something exciting going on. And who could forget the huge fight between Abe and that big black dude - now that was an interesting episode. Rachel, Veronica, Theo and many of our other favorite Gauntlet/Challenge participants have emerged from Road Rules. Sadly, in recent years, MTV added a "Survivor-like" vote-off to the show, which eventually may have led to the show's decline. An actual Road Rules season hasn't aired in sometime, but MTV has said that another season should be in production. Whatever the case, bon voyage!

Show #24: MTV Unplugged

Think of a hot woman in a kinky night club ready to strip down. Now apply that to the world of music, and you get the early 1990s show, MTV Unplugged. I'm not sure how MTV came up with the idea, but what a good one. Unplugged was like going to any concert, but 1) you didn't have to physically be there and 2) the show was more intimate, stripped-down, without instruments everywhere. From Alanis Morrisette to probably the most famous Nirvana episode, Unplugged was a near dynasty in the early 90s. MTV even brought the show back recently with episodes for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, both of which were great. Who knows? Maybe Britney will film her Unplugged someday.

I think you can easily argue that Eric Clapton's was just as memorable, because his performance actually produced one of the top songs of the 90s.

Regardless, Unplugged not only deserves a spot on, I feel it should have been much higher. We'll see where this list goes, but it's not all bad so far.

unplugged should be higher

Show #23: Eye Spy Video

In my opinion, Eye Spy Video might just be MTV's Most Underrated show of all time. Flying under the radar, the show was hosted by MTV's Wanna Be a VJ runner up Dave Holmes and appeared throughout the summer of 1998. The concept for the show seemed really fun. A popular video would be shown in which you (the viewer) had to be on the lookout for everything in the video: a quick number that appeared, which color the background was, or something else that one would quickly pass up. Dave would give you the clues for three questions and then it was up to you to give the correct answer. If you made a boo-boo, then Dave found revenge on you. Truly a classic show and one that should've been on for alot longer. More Dave Holmes hosted shows will grace this list...



Show #22: Taildaters

Who knew pagers could be so fun and lead to a truly classic MTV dating show? In 2002, MTV debuted Taildaters, a show which took dating to the next level. Two people went on a date. Pretty normal, heh? But then MTV tossed in a catch. Two of each datee's friends, family, coworkers, etc. were sequestered on a bus. Everyone received a pager in which advice on how to make the first move or advice on how to curse out the person could be exchanged. Truly memorable episodes involved couples where no chemistry was present and hateful messages were paged back and forth. And sometimes people on the bus jumped in to save a datee - and were successful. In my opinion, three other MTV dating shows topped this one, but Taildaters should be brought back to its original 4:30 timeslot.

I coulda sworn Road Rules and Unplugged would be much higher here but whatever. This is your list afterall.

unplugged one of the most famous shows on MTV, my fave unplugg's are from
Alanis, Stone Temple Pilots and Nirvana.

i hate Taildaters and Road Rules >.<

Road Rules ^_^

Alanis ^_^

ahh i loved taildaters!!!

Woah! 80? Allrighty then.

Show #21: Becoming

Everybody wants to be a celebrity, and for awhile back in 2001 MTV made that dream come true for your average person. On Becoming, normal everyday people were transformed into their favorite stars for a day. Heck, they got the full treatment. Clothes, makeup, their own stylist - they lived the dream. Even better - they got a chance to remake and star in their choice of their artist's favorite video. Episodes I remember included Destiny's Child "Bootylicious," Sum 41 "Fat Lip," and Blink 182's "What's My Age Again?" I don't know, but for me, MTV did a pretty good job of mimicing each video as best as it could.



Show #20: Laguna Beach

To this day I have never watched a soap opera. Well if you don't count any of those on CBS, ABC, or NBC. But in 2004 MTV introduced us to a group of high schoolers from California known as the Laguna Beach crew. Talan, Steven, Trey, Morgan, Christina, and the two widely popularized LC and Kristen (WHO ARE RIDICULOUSLY HOT.) The teens shared the same lifestyles as any other teen - parties, relationship problems, DRAMA - well except for the fact that they were a hell of alot richer than us. While many people say that the cast is too "snobbish and catty", I find them extremely interesting. And yeah, I really do like the show. Season 1 may have been a tad better than season 2, but I can't wait to see what hell breaks loose on season 3.

Laguna Beach is the worst show ever created. The others are decent-good, though.

No disrespect to chev, but Laguna Beach degrades all Teens. I can't believe young girls would watch such a show. But then again, everybody likes some teen-Drama every now and then. (I'm guilty, I have One Tree Hill.)

'Becoming' was GREEAT!!!! your list rocks so far!


(i hope this list isn't cheezy and has TRL as number 1...this being a 'TRL' forum and all)

The best one I remember from Becoming was the one they did for Dream - He Loves U Not. I personally liked that best (at the time, it was the best song around)

Road Rules should be higher..