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"This slate is an indication of where we are taking VH1 in the future, a network that holds music at its core, but that doesn’t shy away from other iconic and ubiquitous moments in pop culture."
——Brian Graden, MTV/VH1 President of Entertainment

VH1 GREEN-LIGHTS NEW LINE-UP

2003 Slate Includes Divas-In-Training, Rockin’ Cars, Hip-Hop Stars, Pop Icons and Karaoke Dreamers

VH1 has apparently grown tired of Godfather re-runs.

The network has green-lighted an array of reality-based programs and music specials that MTV/VH1 President of Entertainment Brian Graden and VH1 GM Christina Norman hope will attract some eyeballs.

These include shows about the romance between rock and the automobile, a group of divas-in-training clawing their way to the top, the evolution of hip-hop and karaoke singers thirsting for a shot at fame.

"This slate is an indication of where we are taking VH1 in the future, a network that holds music at its core, but that doesn’t shy away from other iconic and ubiquitous moments in pop culture," commented Graden about network entries such as Dashboard Dreams and Hip-Hop Babylon.

"The VH1 viewers are already responding," added Norman, pointing out the network’s primetime household ratings in January are up 67% over last year and spiked 100% in the key 18-49 demo.

The new programs include:

Destination Diva: The Search for a Superstar (premiering April 14): VH1 conducts an international talent search in N.Y., London, Nashville, Philadelphia and Miami, with the winner making their debut on the next VH1 Divas special in May. Diana Ross in not eligible.

Dashboard Dreams (premiering Feb. 17): A one-hour special on the history of the love affair between rock & roll and the car, with Snoop Dogg, Sammy Hagar, Vince Neil, Chuck D, Mark McGrath, Ted Nugent and Blink 182’s Travis Barker. Would you buy a used auto from any of ‘em?

Karaoke Dreams (premiering March 2): A documentary follows the lives of six of America’s most passionate karaoke performers. Follow the bouncing ball…

Hip-Hop Babylon (premiering Q3): A history of hip-hop’s challenge to rock & roll as the pop world’s dominant music.

VH1 Goes Inside (new installments start March): A series of specials providing an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the most memorable moments in TV history, with in-depth looks at soap operas, Schoolhouse Rock and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Fountain of Youth (premiering March): Documentary explores the search for perpetual adolescence by America’s 78 million baby boomers, including surgery, wellness seminars, anti-aging clinics, lavish spas, hormone replacement, yoga and Botox injections. Doubles as an infomercial.

Ultimate Albums (premiering Q2): Kiss’ Alive and Mariah Carey’s Butterfly get the VH1 treatment. What’s next? The Dictators’ Go Girl Crazy?