'TRL' Finale, Behind The Scenes: Kid Rock Meets 50 Cent, Beyonce Kisses Diddy And More
NEW YORK -- We don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time.
Sure, the [news id="1599452"]"TRL" finale[/news] was definitely live on Sunday night (November 16) -- live, as in you saw exactly what happened, when it happened, and it was one helluva extravaganza -- but it's not that type of party.
"Do I have to take my clothes off or something?" [artist id="10551"]Kid Rock[/artist] asked while sitting in the "Total Finale Live" green room. On Sunday, the room was more of a VIP lounge, where celebs mixed with friends of the show and industry insiders for the iconic series' final episode.
Kid, who you could see earlier in the night sitting in the control room with the production staff, did not have to disrobe. He did tell the naked truth, however, when thinking back to how the decade-old program catapulted his career. "Everything is kinda a blur back then. I was drinking back then. I don't drink anymore, as you can see," Kid said, holding a beer in his hand.
He remembered having to pick his son up from school and then rushing home to see where one of his videos would land on the countdown. " 'It's #7! we might get a new car!' " he recalled thinking at the time. " 'It's #4! Sh--! We might get a new house!' ... If it wasn't for 'TRL,' the radio was no friend of mine in the early days. ... I remember 'TRL' being a launching pad for this whirlwind career I've had."
The Kid suggested that MTV turn the main studio where "TRL" taped into a set for a variety show -- a show on which different artists from different genres would be featured. Hmmm ... sounds a lot like "TRL."
Snoop Dogg said the "TRL" studio should become a nightclub, and partial ownership should fall under his paws. Snoop was one of [news id="1599436"]the busiest performers of the night[/news], taking pictures with virtually everyone. On the elevator up to his dressing room, he was basking in the glow of the Pittsburgh Steelers' win. He said he wouldn't mind seeing the Steel Curtain take on New York's G-Men in the Big Game. "Steelers and the Giants in the Super Bowl? That would be a Super Bowl," Snoop said. "Those are the two best teams, and Tennessee."
"It was rather bizarre walking back on the set and seeing Carson," 'NSYNC's JC Chasez said from a different VIP lounge about original host Carson Daly. "It felt like a high school reunion. They were handing out yearbooks. It's sad to see the show go but a wonderful way to recap it."
Speaking of reunions, there was no love-fest rejoining for exes Hilary Duff and Joel Madden. While Good Charlotte stood at the stage door, Hil walked right by without eye contact or words. Duff did get sentimental while recounting her early days on "TRL," standing at the trademarked glass window, watching the fans outside in Times Square. "I didn't ever want to leave the window!" she said.
Pete Wentz wanted to come to the show Sunday but couldn't make it. He had ... well, a more pressing matter to attend to. But his Fall Out Boy brethren fought the good fight in his stead. And just to show they had their buddy on their brains, Academy Is ... bassist Adam Siska -- who served as the fill-in -- wore a mask with Pete's face on it.
What a moment between [artist id="860639"]50 Cent[/artist] and [artist id="1244169"]Diddy[/artist]. The two longtime friends had an exclusive interview with MTV News way, way, way backstage in a corridor. The two talked music, business, "TRL" and who has the hottest MTV show. Diddy joked that 50 is trying to take his spot. A few minutes after Diddy left, 50 asked the MTV News crew, "OK, be honest. Who's cooler: me or Puff?"
Well, maybe just for tonight we'll say Puff. That's because Diddy ran into [artist id="3117360"]Beyoncé[/artist] earlier in the evening when he arrived to the "TRL" studio with an unusually small entourage of two people. Diddy got a kiss on cheek from Mrs. Carter. Cool points galore for that one.
Back to Kid Rock: He was jazzed to run across 50 in the same corridor way, way, way backstage. "Oh, I never met this guy before," Kid said while shaking hands with Fif. "[artist id="502642"]Eminem[/artist] always tells me I need to meet you when I'm in Detroit. Would you mind doing an MTV News interview with me?"
"Yeah," 50 obliged.
For everything on "Total Finale Live," including bonus performances, behind-the-scenes action and more, head to TRL.MTV.com. Plus, check out our stage-door interviews with 50 Cent, Taylor Swift, Ludacris and many more superstars at the big show.