MTV is bringing back the popular music video countdown show Total Request Live — but there's a twist: It's only for one day.
The Viacom-owned network announced Wednesday that it will be reviving the TRL format for a 30-minute special with Ariana Grande, renaming it Total Ariana Live, that will air July 2 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. The episode will be available on-demand following hte U.S. telecast.
Like the original TRL, which ran from 1998-2008 and was hosted by Carson Daly and Damien Fahey, among others, Total Ariana Live will be broadcast from MTV's Times Square studio. MTV News' Sway Calloway will host.
In front of a live studio audience, the 20-year-old Grande is slated to perform a version of her song "Problem" and debut her upcoming single "Break Free," as well as have her hip-hop knowledge tested in a "Hip Hop Mix Up" game. There will also be a surprise announcement will, MTV promises.
"It's a huge honor to be able to bring back a show like TRL, I used to love watching it growing up. Can't wait to celebrate with my loves in Times Square. Might have some surprises too," Grande said in a statement.
"Only one artist has the power to turn the lights back on at 1515 Broadway in the iconic TRL studios, and that's Ariana Grande. The transformation to Total Ariana Live represents her one-of-a-kind star power combined with MTV's immense multimedia platform, setting the stage for the ultimate global partnership," said Charlie Walk, executive vp Republic Records, to which Grande is signed.
TRL aired 2,247 episodes during its decade-long run on MTV, playing the top 10 most-requested music videos for the day and featuring the top musicians, bands, actors and celebrities. It was MTV's primary outlet for music videos when the network began shifting focus to reality and original programming.
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