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VH1 is an American television network channel, and a good place to go to get your fix of guilty pleasure reality television these days. The channel was created in 1985 by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC). VH1 was known as "VH-1:Video Hits One" until 1994, and then known as "VH1: Music First" until 2003. Now, VH1, and its sister channel MTV, are a part of the Viacom network.

In the last decade, VH1's emphasis on music has plummeted. Just how it is only VH1 (not VH1:Music first), VH1 really isn't about music or music videos anymore. The focus has been on reality television and celebrity scandals, the two hottest subjects on television these days. VH1 plays music videos daily from 3 a.m. until 10 a.m. ET. VH1 occasionally plays movies, and the station has aired a few VH1 original movies made for television.

REALITY TELEVISION

"Celebreality" is the name of the programming of reality television that VH1 airs. Celebrities such as Hulk Hogan, Christopher Knight, Danny Bonaduce, Scott Baio, and others have had their own shows. Here is a look at some of the 2008 shows:

"Rock of Love 2" - This is the second time around for Poison Rocker Bret Michaels to find someone "who rocks his world." Apparently Jes Rickleff, the winner of Season 1, promptly dumped Bret for someone else. The girls perform challenges to win solo and group dates with Bret. Almost all of the girls have had some type of enhancement surgery, and a few of the girls you may recognize from other reality shows.

"Scott Baio is 46... and Pregnant" - This show is the follow up to "Scott Baio is 45... and Single." Scott Baio is a child actor who was banned from the Playboy mansion after dating each of the playmates during the 1980's. He has been with Heather Locklear, Liza Minelli, Denise Richards, Melissa Gilbert, and many, many other women.

MUSIC SHOWS

Perhaps the best show on VH1 is "Behind the Music." It ran from 1997 through 2006, and continues to air occasionally. The show features a musician or a group, and profiles their successes and failures of their career. Artists featured included Aerosmith, the Backstreet Boys, the Goo Goo Dolls, No Doubt, Faith Hill, Billy Idol, Elton John, Bonny Raitt, Run-DMC, Chicago, and others.

Another popular show is "VH1 Legends," which profiles the careers of musical greats, like Elton John, Tina Turner, U2, Eric Clapton, Queen, The Bee Gees, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, and John Lennon. There has been a slight overlap of Behind the Music, and Tina Turner, Elton John, Pink Floyd and John Lennon have appeared on both "VH1 Legends" and "VH1 Behind the Music":

AWARDS

VH1 annual awards shows include VH1 Hip Hop Honors and VH1 Rock Honors.

VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION

In 1997, our friends at VH1 created the "VH1 Save The Music Foundation," a non-profit organization on a mission to keep music instrument programs in the American public school system. The foundation also raises awareness of how music programs in schools help and improve the lives of young people. The foundation have donated more than $25 million worth of musical instruments to public schools in 80 cities, benefitting more than half a million children.

WEBSITE

VH1's mail website is www.vh1.com. The website is pretty good, and provides plenty of information on the latest shows, including extra video clips you don't see on television.

INTERNATIONAL

VH1 is all over the world. International channels include VH1 India, VH1 Germany, VH1 Australia, VH1 Brazil, VH1 European, VH1 Indonesia, VH1 Poland, VH1 Latin America, VH1 Poland, VH1 Russia, and VH1 UK.

Learn more about this author, Caroline Atkins.
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