Today on Friday Videos, we’re celebrating a program that should still be on the air, except that we don’t have music videos anymore, so maybe not.
Remember Pop Up Video from VH1?
I sure do. I could watch for hours. I love behind the scenes stuff. Like, SO much.
So here are a few faves:
“You Gotta Be” by Des-ree:
The sign language interpretation of the dance moves. Who wrote these?
There are a few compilations on YouTube, and one person uploaded a DVD that’s over an hour of videos hosted by the creators of the show. I was looking for this video and am so thankful that JB Strawberry uploaded this DVD.
“She Works Hard for the Money” by Donna Summer – one of my earliest favorite songs.
And I also now know the answer to who wrote these – they’re in the DVD!
I’ve definitely seen this one several times – it’s how I learned that Paula Abdul was the choreographer and in the video:
“Nasty” by Janet Jackson
My favorite Janet album is always Rhythm Nation 1814, which is still relevant today, in a very chilling way. Especially the interstitials.
Tina Turner? Hell, yes, Tina Turner – she was in episode one with “I Ain’t Missing You at All“!
And of course, Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy,” which I definitely remember seeing hundreds of times:
(That’s Jewel; Mariah is later in the episode but the video should start playing at the right moment. I skipped all of Meat Loaf. You’re welcome!)
I know I saw a Pop Up Video of Brandy & Monica’s “The Boy is Mine,” but I can’t seem to find it online. I’m pretty sure it was from the show that I learned that the gemstone on Monica’s forehead was real, and allegedly the two singers’ stylists were trying to one-up each other on set with their respective clients.
Here’s an entire playlist if you’d like to pop your way into the weekend!
And I found several more on the Lost Media Wiki, which is going to consume so much of my time now. I appreciate the confirmation from the wiki that “The Boy is Mine” pop up video is indeed lost.
Friday Videos hope your weekend really pops!

