CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The Television Critics Association began its winter press tour this week in which the various broadcast and cable networks talk about their upcoming plans to the nation's top critics and entertainment reporters.
Here's a breakdown of the highlights of VH1's presentation (via press release):
"YOU'RE TOO SHY, SHY, HUSH, HUSH, EYE TO EYE"
"I'VE GOT A MEETIN' IN THE LADIES ROOM"
"RELAX, DON'T DO IT, WHEN YOU WANT TO GO TO IT!"*
VH1 Hunts Down Some of Music's Most Beloved Bands in its New Original Series
"Bands Reunited" Premiering on Monday, January 19 With 10 Episodes Airing Over 10 Nights
They had style. They had success. They had drama. They broke up. But would our favorite bands of the past get back together for one more show just for their fans? Where are they? What are they doing? Wonder no more. VH1 has filed its own "missing persons" report in the new original series "Bands Reunited."
VH1's Aamer Haleem, along with a camera crew traveled the globe for several months tracking down members of music's most eclectic, but adored bands including Frankie Goes to Hollywood ("Relax"), Flock of Seagulls ("I Ran"), Klymaxx ("Meetin' In the Ladies Room"), Berlin ("Take My Breath Away"), Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy"), Dramarama ("Anything, Anything"), Romeo Void ("Never Say Never"), The Alarm ("The Stand") and Squeeze ("Tempted") and convince them to get back on stage to play for one night only for their faithful fans. "Bands Reunited" premieres on January 19, at 10:00 pm,* with 10 episodes airing every weeknight for two weeks.
But some reunions proved to be no easy task-these bands broke up for a reason. Some members haven't spoken to each other since their glory days, others endured extreme emotional and physical challenges, while others simply chose to trade in the spotlight for more humble professions. For example, Mike and Ally Score, two brothers that made up one-half of Flock of Seagulls, had not seen or spoken to one another for many years. Benjamin Bossi of Romeo Void can no longer play because of his severe hearing condition. Peter Woods and Mark Englert of Dramarama replaced their microphones to take jobs as a bulldozer driver and insurance salesman, respectively, while Pat Badger from Extreme escaped the hot lights of the stage to become a Llama farmer.
Viewers can log onto VH1.com to learn more about "Bands Reunited" and the back story on how we got them all back together.
"Bands Reunited" is executive produced by Kim Rozenfeld and Julio Kollerbohm.
* Lyric Titles:
"Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo
"Meetin in the Ladies' Room" by Klymaxx
"Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
WE DARE YOU TO BREAK THE "TED COMMANDMENTS"
VH1 Moves "Surviving Nugent" From Special to Series For Spring Premiere
America's favorite rock and roll wildman, Ted Nugent, is back to transform a group of unsuspecting city slickers into rough outdoorsmen in the second installment of "Surviving Nugent." VH1 announced today that the show, which originally premiered last October as a two-hour special, will return to the channel as a series in April of 2004.
Following the credo of the "Ted Commandments," "Surviving Nugent" gives life to Ted Nugent's unique vision of a survivalist boot camp. To provide a fresh spin and new challenges, the location has been shifted from the woods of Michigan to Nugent's sprawling, multi-acred compound located just outside of Waco, Texas.
Eight to ten contestants will be thrown headlong into this ultimate outdoorsman ranch to compete in challenges that emphasize pure survival skills. Ted's family - son Rocco and wife Shemane - along with ranch hand Big Jim and new ranch hand Big John will figure prominently in the series.
"Surviving Nugent" is executive produced by Robert Weiss and Alex Campbell for VH1. Jay Blumenfield and Anthony Marsh are the executive producers for The Jay & Tony Show.
HOT TV AND MUSIC NEWS, CELEBRITY SCANDALS, POLITICAL BLUNDERS.... ALL FODDER FOR VH1'S ORIGINAL NEW SERIES, "BEST WEEK EVER!"
All New Weekly Half Hour Show Takes A Playful And Nostalgic Look Back At The Last Week's Most Entertaining News And Pop Culture Events
Premiering Friday, January 23 at 11:00 pm*
If "I Love the 80s" had a baby, "Best Week Ever" would be the child! Bringing the spirit of VH1's hit series to current events, "Best Week Ever," is a weekly half-hour show that provides a free-wheeling and funny review of the entertaining news and pop culture developments that make the past week the "Best Week Ever!"
Premiering on Friday, January 23 at 11:00 pm*, the series will feature comics, actors and musicians providing their provocative, amusing and slightly twisted takes on the high (and low) points of the big and small stories of the week.
Topics sure to be covered will include celebrity scandals, top movies, the sports world and its more visible players, the presidential campaign, various "did you see that?" moments on TV, fashion and style, music and other topical events. The series will premiere a new half-hour episode every Friday at the same time.
"Best Week Ever" is a production of VH1, with Sean Johnson serving as Series Producer and Fred Graver as Executive Producer. Michael Hirschorn and Jim Ackerman also serve as Executive Producers.
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