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March 19, 2009

VH1 Revives Behind The Music

thubmnail icon: VH1 Revives Behind The Music

Since '97, BTM has tracked the rise and spectacular falls of 168 artists, most recently New Kids On The Block last fall. It was the network's signature program before the Flavorrr Flaaav years. You probably haven't seen it in a while, since new episodes are few and far between, and Pantera is the only episode in repeats (according to my Tivo). Good news: ten more episodes have been ordered, starting with Lil Wayne and Scott Weiland.

From Reuters:

In focus groups, VH1 found that "BTM" is so deeply associated with the channel, some viewers assumed the series never left the air. The show's storytelling model of the meteoric rise, tragic fall and sober rebirth of an artist was so distinctive that "The Simpsons" devoted a 2000 episode to parodying the show. There was also a short-lived spin-off, "Behind the Music 2," that looked at the careers of younger favorites.

VH1 will update the show's format for 2009, but not too much. Jim Forbes is back as the show's narrator, though the new episodes will add more current footage to anchor the story in the present day, just as the New Kids special intercut with a live event.

"I'm leery about changing certain elements," (VH1 executive vice president original programing) Jeff Olde said. "I think the audience will be mad if we mess with it too much."

Good looking out, Jeff Olde. You should probably help him out by suggesting subjects for future episodes in the comments. I'm sure Kanye would say provocative things, but the best episodes usually focus on has-been acts.

First person to say Animal Collective gets a slap in the e-face.

Posted at 1:15 PM by Scott in
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46 Comments

Animal Collective.

Posted by: gilsemple profile link at 03/19/09 2:24 PM  | Reply
Score = -32 Vote up Vote down

too easy

Posted by: m  in reply to gilsemple's comment at 03/19/09 2:27 PM  | Reply
Score = 8 Vote up Vote down

BTM >>>>>>>>>>>> Animal Collective.

Posted by: b.LOUD profile link  in reply to gilsemple's comment at 03/20/09 11:19 PM  | Reply
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Animal Collective aren't good enough to make it onto BTM.

Posted by: HateBiscuit  in reply to gilsemple's comment at 03/22/09 10:57 PM  | Reply
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Can't we get a Smiths lovefest?

Posted by: Big Red profile link at 03/19/09 2:38 PM  | Reply
Score = 20 Vote up Vote down

They must hold on to that one until Morrissey publishes a tell-all autobiography!

(I feel like that may be closer down the road than some people may think)

Posted by: d33r profile link  in reply to Big Red's comment at 03/19/09 3:02 PM  | Reply
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the only one i'd care about, to be honest.

Posted by: Terry's Chocolate Orange  in reply to Big Red's comment at 03/21/09 8:22 PM  | Reply
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public enemy and poison.

Posted by: joy profile link at 03/19/09 2:49 PM  | Reply
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I'd like to see a Behind the Music about Brian Eno or King Crimson, but I won't get my hopes up.

Posted by: Josh at 03/19/09 2:50 PM  | Reply
Score = 9 Vote up Vote down

I have not seen that channel in ages but I liked that program.

I think it's more interesting to focus on artists with long careers as there's more to "uncover" and narrate rather than people who have been around less than 10 years.

I'm a bit of a sucker for investigative journalism and documentary-like programs. They should hire the guy from Dateline to narrate! (The old one with the skinny face and super dramatic voice)

Posted by: d33r profile link at 03/19/09 2:59 PM  | Reply
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Bill Hader?

Posted by: Johnnyboy  in reply to d33r's comment at 03/20/09 2:54 PM  | Reply
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Has there already been a Poison BTM? Cause VH1 could always use more Bret Michaels

Posted by: Blair at 03/19/09 3:13 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Would LOVE to see a behind the music on Elliott Smith. Even though he has passed, he is still such an amazing and influential musician. I still feel like many MANY people have never heard him and need to know about him. Thanks for reading.

Posted by: boxkite at 03/19/09 3:15 PM  | Reply
Score = 26 Vote up Vote down

they really need to make one about elliott. i was just thinking that myself.

Posted by: XO profile link  in reply to boxkite's comment at 03/22/09 4:37 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Did Oasis already have a BTM?

Posted by: Marko at 03/19/09 3:16 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

yes, right around the release of standing on the shoulder of giants

Posted by: grover profile link  in reply to Marko's comment at 03/19/09 6:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

And they included subtitles to decode the Mancunian....that was weird.

Posted by: wheatus profile link  in reply to grover's comment at 03/23/09 2:15 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, and it was fantastic. They had to have subtitles.

Posted by: brrrrrian  in reply to Marko's comment at 03/19/09 6:30 PM  | Reply
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Animal Collective.

Am I too late?

Posted by: jaychuck profile link at 03/19/09 3:19 PM  | Reply
Score = -9 Vote up Vote down

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behind_The_Music
It appears they did. Though I'm a bit surprised they never did one on Johnny Cash.

Posted by: Marko at 03/19/09 3:25 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behind_The_Music
It appears they did. Though I'm a bit surprised they never did one on Johnny Cash.

Posted by: Marko at 03/19/09 3:25 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

I would love to see one on Elliott Smith as well. What about one on U2, or Jeff Buckley, or Depeche Mode? I don't want to see one about Lil Wayne! What has he done for the musical world? There is a whole list of people that would be more interesting than him

Posted by: Brian at 03/19/09 3:57 PM  | Reply
Score = 9 Vote up Vote down

dylan

Posted by: J at 03/19/09 4:56 PM  | Reply
Score = 13 Vote up Vote down

Mark Gormley.

Posted by: I PEE GOLD profile link at 03/19/09 4:57 PM  | Reply
Score = 13 Vote up Vote down

Dylan?!, The Smiths?! Johnny Cash??! Come On! All of the BTMs about "serious" artists totally blow..
(thats why Motley Crue was the best BTM ever.)
Therefore ,I want ones on Insane Clown Posse, Slayer, Slipknot and The Geto Boys..In that order.

Posted by: Benny at 03/19/09 5:08 PM  | Reply
Score = 9 Vote up Vote down

I second the geto boys, if that wasn't already done (I feel like I've seen Bushwick Bill try to kil himself on VH! thousands of time) b/c of Bill and now Scarface is suicidal! Fun! As far as a "serious" artist episode that wouldn't blow? David Bowie. It may need to be extended though()

Posted by: birdman25 profile link at 03/19/09 5:15 PM  | Reply
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Is your pic from Red Dawn?....wolverines

Posted by: wheatus profile link  in reply to birdman25's comment at 03/23/09 1:24 AM  | Reply
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Pimpin Curly. Not Fitty, just Pimpin Curly.

Posted by: dude profile link at 03/19/09 5:54 PM  | Reply
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god dammit, can't they pick anyone better than Lil Wayne and Scot whatshisface?

Posted by: Evan at 03/19/09 8:25 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Slayer, Wu Tang, The Clash, The Libertines and Fugazi

Posted by: Mike at 03/20/09 9:04 AM  | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

What about Radiohead?

Posted by: andrew at 03/20/09 10:59 AM  | Reply
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I second that!

Posted by: Jobs In Music profile link  in reply to andrew's comment at 03/25/09 1:10 PM  | Reply
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scott weiland's will be awesome.

Posted by: griz at 03/20/09 11:38 AM  | Reply
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Ween

Posted by: Keester profile link at 03/20/09 12:37 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Fuck BTM give us more celebreality vh1! Why hasn't Fred Savage gotten a show yet, or Victoria Jackson? Apparantly she's nuts and that always makes for great tv. And it's been far too long of a Flavor of Love hiatus...maybe this one could feature Chuck D somehow.

Posted by: j at 03/20/09 2:43 PM  | Reply
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Yeah... somehow I don't think the guy who wrote "She Watch Channel Zero" is going to do reality TV.

Posted by: Johnnyboy  in reply to j's comment at 03/20/09 2:58 PM  | Reply
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What about Rare Earth?

Posted by: Benjfier profile link at 03/20/09 9:08 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, Rare Earth...Yanni would be badass too.

Posted by: protector at 03/21/09 6:03 PM  | Reply
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Knowing VH1, we'll probably be seeing a BTM on Fergie sooner than we see one on Elliott Smith. I was surprised to see they haven't done one on David Bowie yet. That's almost a no brainier.

Posted by: Ryan at 03/22/09 8:21 PM  | Reply
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Actually, VH1 being VH1, we'll see a BTM on Bret Michaels or Flavor Flav as "solo artists" before anyone listed above.

Posted by: Big Red profile link  in reply to Ryan's comment at 03/22/09 9:12 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

There are so many bands that would make excellent profiles....I'd love to see them do The Frames, Magnetic Fields, TMBG, Fugazi (doubt they'd do it)....MIke Patton would be mint...Did they ever do one on Nick Drake?...there was a great one on Jim Croce too....WESLEY WILLIS!

The Legends series was also awesome...I distinctly remember the one on Freddie Mercury/Queen.

I wonder if the baby boom cunts that run the show at VH1 would ever care to profile any of the great new music that has evaded their Major Label Death Squads.

Next on Behind The Music: Corn Mo

Posted by: wheatus profile link at 03/23/09 1:14 AM  | Reply
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well, they never did weezer...

Posted by: derek profile link at 03/23/09 1:34 AM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

I second Wesley Willis.

Posted by: historyman68 at 03/24/09 7:35 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Split Enz, Crowded House, Neil Finn, Tim Finn.... or at the very least smush them all together in one, episode.

Posted by: Jessie at 03/26/09 12:16 AM  | Reply
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How about Rancid? go through OPIV and such.

Posted by: Eric at 03/26/09 12:15 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Robert Gordon.

Posted by: timsored profile link at 03/26/09 12:59 PM  | Reply
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