MTV's Greatest Hits

Updated on Nov 23, 2024

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Directed by Neil Breakwell Original language(s) English Running time 60 minutes First episode date 19 March 1990 Presented by Paul King Language English		Country of origin United Kingdom Executive producer(s) Sara Martin Original network MTV Networks Europe Final episode date 1996 Genre Music video Cast Paul King

Similar Euro Top 20, MTV's Most Wanted, 120 Minutes, Club MTV, Headbangers Ball

The Show

MTV's Greatest Hits was a programme that started on 19 March 1990 - later presented by Paul King from 1991.

The main idea was to show all the greatest hits throughout the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and even 1990s. The show was shown at 4pm and then repeated at 10pm CET. In 1993, the programme was aired at 1pm and then at 8pm.

In the programme, you could always find best videos from the likes of Madonna, Prince, Duran Duran and more.

MTV's Greatest Hits gained in popularity throughout the years, but in July 1994 Paul King said goodbye on the screen showing the very last video on the show: Michael Jackson's Thriller. The show continued on MTV with different VJs eventually removed from the screens circa 1996. As well as main VJ Paul King, there were a few others who would stand in for him in his absence such as Pip Dann or Richie Rich.

Catch Phrases

Some of Paul King's infamous catch phrases:

"... all the things that make you go jiggy-jiggy"

"(It's official, there's no denying it), the weekend starts right now / is kicking in as far as we are concerned"

"the show that hits the G-spot / the show with G-force (is coming your way)" (Greatest Hits)

"... where your evening starts in the most positive of ways"

"all hail and salutations"

"Salutations to you, hail hail, all those thing that make you go jig-a-jig-a-jig".

"what do you do, what do you say, [day] afternoon/evening (is) on your way"

"It is my duty, nay my pleasure to announce that Greatest Hits is on the way"

"I now leave you in the very capable hands of Ray Cokes, guy with the jokes, host with the most (wanted crew)."

"... as once again from the archives we pull out videos from the likes of..."

" (It's) déjà-vu, me and you, I am back, leader of the pack"

"C'est moi, classic video guru, resident talking head and raider of the lost archives"

"Hey hey hey, what can I say, it's (mid-day)."

Farewell to Paul King

The last edition with Paul King was aired on 29 July 1994. He said: " I am pulling out some of those videos that I really do think deserve to be called great and classic."

His choices were:

Laid Back - Bakerman

Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime

David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes

The Cure - Close To Me

Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence

A House - Endless Art

The The - Heartland

Prince - I Wish U Heaven

Michael Jackson - Thriller (uncut version)