This year marks our 15th anniversary, so we have been celebrating by taking trips down memory lane to 1999, the year of Pegasus Lighting’s birth. This month, of course, we are checking out what was going on in September 1999. Remember when Viacom merged with CBS, the Sega Dreamcast temporarily entranced the population, and lots of crazy stuff happened at the MTV Video Music Awards (In fact, the first five items on this list occurred during the VMAs)? Come check it out!
1. Lauren Hill Is the Queen of Hip Hop
September 9th, 1999 was Lauren Hill’s night. She took home four Moonmen, including the award for Best Female Video and Video of the Year.
2. Diana Ross and Lil Kim Get Jiggly With It
Lil Kim had decided to wear a rather risque outfit to the VMAs, and Diana Ross decided to give the world her opinion of Kim’s outfit.
3. Mothers of Slain Rappers Unite
The mothers of slain rappers Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. came together at the VMAs to present the Best Rap Video Award. The world was still mourning the loss of two great artists. In fact, fifteen years later, people still wonder how this tragedy could have happened.
4. Tribute to Madonna
By presenting a host of male drag performers dressed as the singer in her past music videos, MTV paid tribute to the most nominated artist in VMA history, Madonna.
5. Beastie Boys Back with Vengeance
The Beastie Boys won the award for Best Hip Hop Video for their song “Intergalactic.” The Beasties were happy. Busta Rhymes was disappointed.
6. Hello Dreamcast, Goodbye Dreamcast
The first entry in the sixth genereation of video game consoles, slightly predating the Playstation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, was Sega’s Dreamcast. The last console Sega would ever release, its popularity was shortlived.
7. Viacom, Corporate Behemoth
Viacom and CBS merged in September 1999 in the largest media marriage in history. The purpose of this merger? To connect the network of Dan Rather to the MTV generation.
8. Documentary Film Becomes Socially Important
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno launches an independent investigation into the 1993 fire at the Branch Davidian church near Waco, Texas after watching a documentary film about it. Who says the movies don’t influence society?
9. John Elway’s Jersey Number Retired
Lucky number 7 will always belong to John Elway for the folks in Denver.
10. Houston… Houston… ?
NASA annouunced that it had lost contact with the Mars Climate Orbiter. Oops.
11. Ally McBeal Steals the Show
Ally McBeal won the Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Also nominated were Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Friends, and Sex and the City. All good shows that are very representative of 1999.
12. The Practice Makes Perfect
The Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series was given to The Practice. Also nominated were ER, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, and The Sopranos.
13. John Lithgow’s Still Got It!
John Lithgow took home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in 3rd Rock from the Sun.
14. Helen Hunt’s Still Got It, Too!
The Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Acress in a Comedy Series was given to Helen Hunt for her role on Mad About You.
15. The Sopranos
No other television show was nominated at the 51st Emmy Awards than The Sopranos. It was the dawning of a new age of Sopranos lovers.