New York, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Coming up on VH1 . . .
Celebrities Mingle With Donkeys and Elephants as
VH1 News Presents: "Politics: A Pop Culture History"
and "25 Greatest Protest Songs"
Premiering Wednesday, October 20 at 10:00 and 11:00 PM*
With Two One-Hour Specials, VH1 Reflects On Changing Political Culture in the
Face of 30 Years of Music, Movies and Television
Pop culture has always reflected and commented on America's political
mood, ranging from "Rambo" to "West Wing" and from Bruce Springsteen's
working-man anthems to Toby Keith's songs of a nation ready to go to war. But
this election year has firmly established that politics has become pop culture
and vice versa. Using 30 years of music, movie and television, along with new
interviews, "Politics: A Pop Culture History" premieres Wednesday, October 20
at 10PM* and explores how filmmakers, rappers and rockers have intersected,
intertwined, clashed and collaborated with politicians over the years.
Examples are abundant in today's media landscape. Political commentators from
Bill O'Reilly to Al Franken are treated like pop stars. Political fundraisers
look more like star-studded movie premieres. John Kerry talks about the
social energy in rap music while Republicans reach out to the youth vote with
a voter-registration truck parked outside MTV's studio.
"Politics: A Pop Culture History" will track the modern marriage of
politics and pop culture from the first televised presidential debates between
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon up through the effect of this summer's
blockbuster film "Fahrenheit 9/11" on public perception as well as Bruce
Springsteen's Vote for Change swing-state tour. The documentary also shadows
actor Stephen Baldwin at the Republican National Convention and follows
Everclear's Art Alexakis, rock star and elected delegate, to the Democrat
National Convention. Interviews include: Chevy Chase, Dan Rather, Michael
Moore, Dennis Miller, Ari Fleischer, George Stephanopoulos, Al Franken, Ann
Coulter, Ana Marie Cox, REM, Janeane Garofolo, Chuck D, Edie Falco, Tom
Delonge, Krist Novoselic "Clinton and Me" Author Mark Katz and Republican
strategist Ed Rollins.
Premiering later that night at 11 pm, VH1 presents "25 Greatest Protest
Songs," hosted and narrated by John Mellencamp. VH1 and Mellencamp salute the
songs that made a difference and the artists who raised awareness through
music -- from the anthems of the civil rights era, to the revolution rock of
today. Interviews include David Crosby, Chuck D (Public Enemy), Steve Earle,
Moby, Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Graham Nash, Henry Rollins, Ann
Coulter, Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Bill Maher and Ben Stein. Featured
songs include: Black Eyed Peas "Where Is the Love", Bob Dylan "Blowin' in the
Wind", Bruce Springsteen "Born in the USA", Marvin Gaye "What's Goin' On",
Public Enemy "Fight the Power", System of a Down "Boom!", U2 "Sunday Bloody
Sunday" and many more.
*all times ET/PT
Contacts: Michelle Clark/VH1 Ariana Urbont/MTVN
212-846-5576 310-752-8079
On Friday, October 15
"Best Week Ever"
This week's pop culture round-up includes "Team America," Eminem "Loses
It," the Bush/Kerry Debate, The Patriots, Aguilera upsets nurses and more.
(Premieres at 11:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/best_week_ever/series.jhtml
On VH1 Classic
"VH1 Classic in Concert: Simon and Garfunkel: The Concert in the Park."
The long-awaited reunion of the world's most loved music duos more than a
decade after they split is filled with electrifying moments, special feeling
and timeless music. Highlighted in this exciting New York venue performance
are many chart-topping favorites, including "Scarborough Fair," "Fifty Ways To
Leave Your Lover," "The Boxer, Mrs. Robinson" and "The Sound of Silence."
(Premieres at 9:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1classic.com
On Saturday, October 16
"LL Cool J Behind the Music"
By the age of eighteen, LL Cool J had achieved the rank of platinum
performer and was defining a unique, new genre of American music. Twenty years
and two Grammy's later, LL has attained an almost mythical status as a lasting
pioneer of the genre. "Behind the Music" reveals the true story behind this
living hip hop legend.
(Airs at 9:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/behind_the_music/85896/episode.jhtml
On Sunday, October 17
"The Partridge Family: The Finale"
The big finale! In this last episode of VH1's search for the new
Partridge family, the entire cast (Keith, Laurie, Shirley, Danny, Chris, and
Tracy) will be revealed to America as they make their concert debut.
(Premieres at 9:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/in_search_of_the_partridge_family
/81650/episode.jhtml
"VH1's The Surreal Life: Making the Single Part B"
The cast has only four hours left to complete their single. Jordan is in
control, but everything is out of control ... Ryan won't come out of the
bathroom, Brigitte is asleep on the couch and Charo is getting more and more
annoyed, and more and more unintelligible. Can they finish the single in just
four hours?
(Premieres at 10:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_surreal_life/82684/episode.jhtml
On VH1 Classic
"The Alternative: The Smithereens"
VH1 Classic presents two-hours of "The Alternative" featuring The
Smithereens airing your favorite and forgotten videos.
(Premieres 11:00 a.m.)
http://www.vh1classic.com
Monday, October 18
"VH1's The Surreal Life: Surf School"
Surf's up! The Lifers are going to surf school. Who is going to drive?
Flav or Dave? Dave or Flav? By default of a prison record, Dave is the
winner and takes the wheel. Operation "Flav is pissed off is now in process"
but regardless, it's time to hit the beach. Under the supervision of Big Wave
surfing champs the Willis Brothers, Dave, Brigitte and Ryan are ready to catch
some waves. Charo's carpal tunnel and Jordan's lack of enthusiasm keep them
on the beach, and Flav is still pouting about Brigitte's non-stop flirting and
his inability to drive. In the end, big brother Willis convinces Flav to check
his attitude on the sand and hit the waves.
(Airs at 7:30 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_surreal_life/82684/episode.jhtml
Tuesday, October 19
"VH1 News Presents: Reality TV Secrets Revealed 2"
Like its predecessor, this news show investigates the world of so-called
"reality" TV to find that these shows rely more on fiction than fact. Editing
out of sequence, written lines and overt acting has become commonplace for
this genre, which once advertised raw, unscripted programs. As for reality
shows that feature contests or voting, the final tallies on "American Idol"
and "Last Comic Standing" are evoking controversies similar to the 2000
presidential election!
(Premieres at 8:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/85904/episode.jhtml
Wednesday, October 20
"VH1 News Presents: Politics: A Pop Culture History"
See description above
(Premieres at 10:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/85906/episode.jhtml
"25 Greatest Protest Songs"
See description above
(Premieres at 11:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/68962/episode.jhtml
Thursday, October 21
"I Love the 70s-1979"
Welcome to 1979! The year of disco & the end of a decade filled with
tight pants, cornrows, half-dressed dancers, TV comedy classics, nutty
politicos and much more. 1979 was the culmination of the disco era. Donna
Summer taught us how to be "Bad Girls" and we were reminded how much fun it
was to stay at the "YMCA." Can you name all six characters in the Village
People? But 1979 had its ominous moments too: The stark portrayal of war in
"Apocalypse Now," gang warfare in New York in "The Warriors," and just when
you thought it couldn't get any scarier, an "Alien" crawls out of Sigourney
Weaver's stomach! Thank goodness for Steve Martin in "The Jerk" and "The
Muppet Movie" to lighten things up a bit. So overall, while 1979 had its ups
and its downs, but mostly it was good, clean, half-naked fun. Just don't get
busted by "ChiPs" while you cruise into the 80s.
(Airs at 10:00 p.m.)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/i_love_the_70s/67658/episode.jhtml
SOURCE VH1
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Related links:
http://www.vh1.com
CONTACT:
Michelle Clark of VH1, +1-212-846-5576; or
Ariana Urbont of MTVN, +1-310-752-8079, of VH1
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