I was fan of TRL from the first day that it aired. I was a fan of TRL for all of the time that Carson Daly was host. I would have done anything to have made it to the last TRL show and see Carson Daly. Carson on TRL was what made my MTV (other than Cribs, Diary, and Making The Video). TRL was over when Carson left as far as I am concerned but it was nice to know that it was on over the years just in case I wanted to catch an episode. I enjoyed a handful of the Vjs after Carson (Damien, Hilarie, La La, etc…) but even without judging the show based on the host, things just got boring after awhile. Now I am going to review the Finale Show, which was far from boring! I enjoyed every moment!

Beyonce opened up the show. I would much rather have seen someone like Britney or Christina perform since those are the people that come to mind when I think of a memorable TRL artist. I was thrilled to see the photo booth pictures as the backdrop. When Taylor Swift showed the TRL Yearbook, I was thinking to myself (and still am) “I want the TRL yearbook!” It was really great to have Travis Barker on via satellite. I remember when every new Blink 182 video premiered on TRL. I am not really a fan of Diddy but I loved a lot of his music videos back in the 90s and his segment on how much he promoted his career was put together well. The Ben Stiller scene was very short and still pretty entertaining.

The show would not be complete without hearing from Britney, Christina, or any other 90s pop hit, so I was soooooo thrilled to see the Christina Aguilera segment. Christina is my favorite artist from the 90s hands down so of course I was ecstatic that there was a segment all about her. Did you see Hilarie Burton’s hair in the flashback? Ahhh she looked so young! When the best performances from over the years were aired, seeing the performances from Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, and N*sync…wow. The Kelly & Gwen performances made me remember the spring break week on MTV (that was a big deal back then). N*sync made me laugh, not only because of their style back then but because I remember just how wrapped up I was in them.

When Carson brought Kid Rock over to the window to say goodbye, I was so sad seeing the last wave from the window. Then right after that, to go to Suchin Pak, John Norris, and Sway…I LOVED MTV News so that really made me sad and it made me smile remembering all those MTV News moments. I remember the first show after 9/11 like it was yesterday…different understandably so and I love the way that they handled it. The Ludacis, Nelly, and Snoop performances were great. What was considered the best Time Square Moments…was not up to par with what I thought. The only really amazing moment shown was the Michael Jackson bit.

I enjoy Fall Out Boy but I think that it would have been better if TRL had brought back one of the 90s groups like Hanson, Dream, 3LW, Eden’s Crush, etc… to perform or at least a “Where They Are Now” segment. I remember the Mariah ice cream truck moment! I was so thrilled to see Hilary Duff at the finale. I remember when “So Yesterday” premiered on TRL. Look how far she has come! Yay Hilary! Gosh, I remember when Eminem shut down Times Square, as so many other artists/groups did but that one time that was shown was crazy! By this time, the show is almost over…and I do not want it to end. It really was bittersweet and I enjoyed it so much.

My favorite moment of the finale was the Backstreet Boys performing “I Want It That Way.” I was grinning the entire time, so wide. My cheeks hurt even now.

I loved the Finale. It was a celebration of the 90s. It was a flashback of my childhood. It was incredible. Now I wish that MTV will release a DVD of the best TRL moments plus the entire episode of the 1st show and the finale. That would be a keepsake.

Video Countdown of the Finale Show:
(BTW Good Job on adding fan shout outs during some of the videos like old times)

10 Outkast – Hey Ya
9 Blink 182 – What’s My Age Again?
8 Usher – Yeah
7 Beyonce Crazy In Love
6 Kid Rock – Bawitdaba
5 Christina Aguilera – Dirrty (Come On Over should have made the list!)
4 N*sync – Bye, Bye, Bye
3 Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way
2 Eminem – The Real Slim Shady
1 Britney Spears – Baby One More Time

Goodbye TRL!

Photos: MTV