VJ Search
Encyclopedia
VJ Search is the title of a reality television
program aired on Canadian
music video TV station MuchMusic
. A new series is created every few years and the main point is to find a new MuchMusic VJ to join the current list of MuchMusic personalities.
of ten episodes over a ten week period. The show was extended 10 episodes. In previous years, the VJ Search took place over a 2 day period, broadcast live on MuchMusic beginning Saturday afternoon and completing on Sunday evening, when a new VJ was crowned. Previous winners include Bradford How
(2000) and Devon Soltendieck
(2004).
The program documents a team called the VJ Search Team made up of VJs (Matte Babel
, Leah Miller
, Devon Soltendieck
and Sarah Taylor
). The team goes on a cross-Canada tour - the VJ Search Team visits 23 cities and make 32 stops from coast to coast - where VJ applicants demonstrate their talent in front of a camera and assembled crowd in shopping malls, university and college campuses .
After decision making by judges, 10 applicants are chosen to participate in the show, filmed in a luxury penthouse in Toronto. Throughout the duration of the program, a process of elimination singles out applicants by their talent. By the end of the 10 episodes, only one person will become a MuchMusic VJ. The winner of the 2006 series was Tim Deegan
.
VJ Search is hosted by Dina Pugliese
.
.
The Top 16 were:
Hakeem, Palmer, Trinnear and Walker made to the Final Four and the series 2.0 was won by Liz Trinnear who was signed as a VJ for the station.
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
program aired on Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
music video TV station MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
. A new series is created every few years and the main point is to find a new MuchMusic VJ to join the current list of MuchMusic personalities.
Muchmusic VJ Search 2006
2006 marked the first year that the VJ Search embarked on a reality series format, consistingof ten episodes over a ten week period. The show was extended 10 episodes. In previous years, the VJ Search took place over a 2 day period, broadcast live on MuchMusic beginning Saturday afternoon and completing on Sunday evening, when a new VJ was crowned. Previous winners include Bradford How
Bradford How
Bradford How was a MuchMusic VJ from 2000 to 2003. He won the 2000 MuchMusic VJ Search, and became one of the channel's most well-liked video jockeys. After stints hosting Electric Circus and Gonna Meet A Rockstar, among other shows, he left MuchMusic on October 30, 2003 to pursue other ambitions...
(2000) and Devon Soltendieck
Devon Soltendieck
Devon Soltendieck is a former MuchMusic VJ from the city of Dorval, on the island of Montreal. He has been an anchor and reporter on CP24 since early 2010.-Early Life:...
(2004).
The program documents a team called the VJ Search Team made up of VJs (Matte Babel
Matte Babel
Matte Babel is a Canadian television personality. Formerly a VJ for MuchMusic, where he co-hosted Much on Demand, The IT List and Much 911. He also served as a morning host on Toronto's all-news channel CablePulse 24. He has also made appearances in music videos such as Rich London's The Answer...
, Leah Miller
Leah Miller
Leah Miller is a former MuchMusic VJ from Toronto, and current host for So You Think You Can Dance Canada. She is also a correspondent for the entertainment news show ETalk.-Early life:...
, Devon Soltendieck
Devon Soltendieck
Devon Soltendieck is a former MuchMusic VJ from the city of Dorval, on the island of Montreal. He has been an anchor and reporter on CP24 since early 2010.-Early Life:...
and Sarah Taylor
Sarah Taylor (personality)
- Early life :Taylor is from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She studied English and Women's Studies at McMaster University.- Career :She was discovered in the audience for the MuchMusic show MuchOnDemand in 2004, and was asked to be one of the VJs for the channel....
). The team goes on a cross-Canada tour - the VJ Search Team visits 23 cities and make 32 stops from coast to coast - where VJ applicants demonstrate their talent in front of a camera and assembled crowd in shopping malls, university and college campuses .
After decision making by judges, 10 applicants are chosen to participate in the show, filmed in a luxury penthouse in Toronto. Throughout the duration of the program, a process of elimination singles out applicants by their talent. By the end of the 10 episodes, only one person will become a MuchMusic VJ. The winner of the 2006 series was Tim Deegan
Tim Deegan
Tim Deegan is a former VJ on MuchMusic, a music television station in Canada.-Early life:Tim grew up in Oshawa east of Toronto and he attended O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and had a part time job at a grocery store. Tim joined a band during high school, which played handfuls of...
.
VJ Search is hosted by Dina Pugliese
Dina Pugliese
Dina Pugliese is an Canadian television personality, currently the co-host of Citytv Toronto's Breakfast Television. She joined the show in 2006, replacing Liza Fromer....
.
Much VJ Search 2006 Expert Panel
- Steve AnthonySteve AnthonySteve Anthony is a Canadian television host. He gained attention throughout Canada as a MuchMusic host, or "VJ" from May 1987 to November 1995....
- Robin BlackRobin BlackRobin Black is a Canadian glam rock band, originally known as Robin Black and the Intergalactic Rock Stars, formed in 1998. The band's lead singer also uses Robin Black as his stage name.-History:...
- Traci Melchor
- Kardinal OffishallKardinal OffishallJason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
Much VJ Search 2006 Castoffs
- February 13th - Norm Alconcel
- February 20th - Nathalie Morgan
- February 27th - Larissa Tobacco
- March 6th - Rebecca Stacey
- March 13th - Franklin Nwankwo
- March 20th - Casey-Jo Loos and Tim DeeganTim DeeganTim Deegan is a former VJ on MuchMusic, a music television station in Canada.-Early life:Tim grew up in Oshawa east of Toronto and he attended O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and had a part time job at a grocery store. Tim joined a band during high school, which played handfuls of...
- March 27th - Nobody is taken off the air in this episode, though it is announced that one of 6 previous VJ hopefuls will be returning as a wildcard contestant.
- April 3rd - Tim Deegan returned to the show as the wildcard.
- April 10th - Erik Bartik is first voted off, followed by Nikki Mah and last Sean GehonSean GehonSean Gehon is a Canadian television personality who currently resides in Regina, Saskatchewan. Gehon worked as a video store employee until joining MuchMusic VJ Search ending as the first runner-up — and the only openly gay contestant — in the 2006 series that was won by Tim Deegan.Gehon...
with Tim DeeganTim DeeganTim Deegan is a former VJ on MuchMusic, a music television station in Canada.-Early life:Tim grew up in Oshawa east of Toronto and he attended O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and had a part time job at a grocery store. Tim joined a band during high school, which played handfuls of...
winning the final.
Much VJ Search 2006 Standings
- 10th: Norm
- 09th: Nathalie
- 08th: Larissa
- 07th: Rebecca
- 06th: Frank
- 05th: Casey-Jo
- 04th: Erik
- 03rd: Nikki
- 02nd: Sean
- 01st: Tim
2006 Much VJ Search Episode Recaps
- January 30th - Episode 1: Auditions; 20 semi-finalists revealed. Also clips of advice and insight from former MuchMusic VJs.
- February 6th - Episode 2: 20 semi-finalists are flown to Toronto and kept inside the Gladstone HotelGladstone Hotel, TorontoThe Gladstone Hotel was built in 1889 and named after Gladstone Avenue, next to the hotel. The Parkdale area hotel is a west Toronto landmark designed by local architect G.M. Miller in the Romanesque Revival style.-History:...
. Each person had to randomly pick either YellowcardYellowcardYellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
or Our Lady PeaceOur Lady PeaceOur Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Headed by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band additionally consists of Jeremy Taggart on percussion, Duncan Coutts on bass, and Steve Mazur as lead guitarist...
to interview, but they were only allowed to ask them one question. In the elimination, the judges narrowed 20 down to 10. - February 13th - Episode 3: Remaining 10 move into the penthouse in The Suites at 1 King WestOne King Street West, TorontoOne King Street West or 1 King West is a condo hotel in the heart of the financial district in Toronto. Completed in 2006, a tower was added onto the heritage Dominion Bank Building , itself an early 12-storey skyscraper. The Dominion Bank Building was designed by Darling and Pearson in the...
and are given the challenge of co-hosting MuchOnDemandMuchOnDemandMuchOnDemand was an hour-long per broadcast viewer interactive television program aired on MuchMusic, Monday through Friday at 5pm ET. It was broadcast live from the Much broadcasting studio on 299 Queen Street West in Toronto. The Best of MuchOnDemand, aired Sundays at 10am ET, highlighting the...
. They then have a press party in their penthouse. Norm Aloconcel is voted off for acting like this was 'The Big Norm' show. The full introduction to theme song with all 10 finalists. - February 20th - Episode 4: 9 finalists are put into 3 groups and are assigned to make a short video for Star! DailyStar! DailyStar! Daily was a Canadian half-hour daily entertainment television series aired on Star!, A-Channel and Citytv. The show was hosted by Dina Pugliese and Husein Madhavji along with entertainment reporters Larysa Harapyn, Liz West, Danielle McGimsie and Sean Gehon.Due to the acquisition of Star!...
about the upcoming Academy Awards. Nathalie Morgan is voted off because she did not appear on camera in her group's production, though some viewers believe that they did not pick either Erik or Frank to be voted off because they would add to the penthouse drama, therefore giving the show higher ratings. Introduction to the 'Loser Loft', where all cast-offs are sent and are given the opportunity to choose who they want to go off after watching the challenges themselves. However, the remaining finalists are unaware of this factor in the series. - February 27th - Episode 5: The 8 left have the challenge of practicing their live on-air throws and then get a make-over. Larissa Tobacco is voted off for having terrible throws and not having performed well on any of the other challenges.
- March 6th - Episode 6: The remaining seven are flown off to Edmonton to cover the first anniversary concert of 91.7 the BounceCHBN-FMCHBN-FM is a contemporary hit radio station based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The station, which is jointly owned by Rogers Radio, operates at 91.7 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW.-History:...
and provide a story. They were split into two groups: 4 guys against 3 girls. The girls got 1 less member because Rebecca Stacey had the hometown advantage. However, she was voted off for failing as a group leader. - March 13th - Episode 7: It's down to six and they are flown, once again, to Edmonton to design a promotional shirt for the band Theory of a DeadmanTheory of a DeadmanTheory of a Deadman is a Canadian rock band from Delta, British Columbia, formed in 2001. The band is currently signed to Roadrunner Records as well as Island Records. The band also includes traits of other music styles, such as country and acoustic, as well as their post-grunge and alternative...
. They were split into two teams (Nikki, Erik, and Tim against Frank, Sean and Casey-Jo) and the band chose the design of a white t-shirt made by Nikki, Erik and Tim since it was more concert-friendly. They then had the challenge of selling the winning t-shirt to as many fans at an Edmonton concert as possible, and since Erik managed to sell the most t-shirts in the shortest amount of time he was given the opportunity to interview and introduce the band. Frank Nwankwo is then voted off, mostly because of his attitude, and because other contestants saw him drinking on the job. - March 20th - Episode 8: The final five are flown to L.A. to do an interview with Covergirl spokesperson, supermodel, and actress Molly SimsMolly SimsMolly Sims is an American model and actress. Sims is known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues and her role as Delinda Deline in the NBC drama Las Vegas. She is also an ambassador for Operation Smile...
. Casey-Jo Loos and Tim Deegan performed the weakest in their interview with the supermodel, and are both taken off the air. It is announced to the viewers at the end of this episode they will be choosing one of the seven people from The Loser Loft that would be given the opportunity to return. - March 27th - Episode 9: It's down to three, and they are given the challenge to choose the concept for the music video for the show's theme song, What Would You Do? by Lindsay RobinsLindsay RobinsLindsay Robins is a singer-songwriter who wrote and performed the theme song "What Would You Do" for the VJ Search reality series on MuchMusic, which went on to be the 2007 recipient of The North American Promax Award for Best Music Package/Theme Song...
, in which Nikki's idea is picked. They must each then conduct an on-set interview with a person that was working on the shoot. No one is eliminated in this episode, but it is announced to the remaining finalists that someone from the Loser Loft will be coming back. - April 3rd - Episode 10: The first-part of the finale in which the wildcard winner is announced (Tim). Most people think that the fact he looks good/took off his shirt a couple times is one of the few reasons of voting Tim back on. All four finalists are interviewed by Dina and asked a question from a random member in the audience, and then some of their highlights from the show are shown for each finalist. Then, they put all four together in their last challenge: to test their music-knowledge to its full extent. Erik takes an early lead, but Sean surpasses him and goes on to win the competition with 100 points thanks to the question about CherCherCher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
and all of the image-related questions while Nikki only managed to score 10 points. Fans then find out that they now have the chance to vote for who they feel should be the winner: Erik Bartik, Nicole Mah, Tim Deegan or Sean Gehon. - April 10th - Finale: The remaining four finalists, Expert Panel, and all five remaining Lost Lofters arrive at Much HQ to a live studio audience once more for the grand finale. First, we look at how the campaign for each of the remaining four finalists turned out in each of their home cities. Then, we see how the judges have acted throughout the show, and after the Losers give their choice as to who will win, all polls stop and Norm Alconcel performs his smash hit 'I'm Not a Loser' live, eliminations began. Erik was sent packing, followed by Nikki, then Sean, thus crowning Tim Deegan as Muchmusic's next VJ.
Much Music VJ 2.0 2009
VJ 2.0 was the series in 2009 to pick a new VJ for the station. After hundreds of application, 16 were chosen for the show. The series ran in October and November 2009 and sponsored by DoritosDoritos
Doritos is a brand of seasoned tortilla chips created by Arch West and produced since 1964 by the American food company Frito-Lay ....
.
The Top 16 were:
- Nadine Sykora – Vancouver, BC
- Caity Babcock – Maple Ridge, BC
- Elma Mehmedbegovic – Edmonton, AB
- Kelly Peter – London, ON
- Liz Trinnear – London, ON
- Julian Koehler – Kitchener, ON
- Jessy Pesce – Keswick, ON
- Ashley Stennett – Hamilton, ON
- Andrew Bravener – Oakville, ON
- Lyric James – Mississauga, ON
- Marlon Palmer – Toronto, ON
- Tasia Kemp-Jackson – Toronto, ON
- Laith Hakeem – Richmond Hill, ON
- Cody Dobie – Ottawa, ON
- Christina Meng – Montreal, QC
- Alli Walker – Summerside, PEI
Hakeem, Palmer, Trinnear and Walker made to the Final Four and the series 2.0 was won by Liz Trinnear who was signed as a VJ for the station.