The List

Air Date: 5/10/2000

Host Michael Boatman: A great music video takes more then a hot artist with a popular song. It also takes the gifts of one person who creates the over all look and carries out the over all concept on to the screen. That person is the Music Video Director.
Talents such as David Fincher, Wayne Isham, Spike Jonze, Hype Williams have all been instrumental in elevating the video art form and creating images forever etched in our minds. Our topic today. Best Music Video Director. Here's how it works. Each of our guests has their top three picks and they will defend those choices before our audience chooses it's top three Best Directed Videos. I'm Michael Boatman and you are on the List.

(open Intro)

Host Michael Boatman: Our first guest has been burning up the charts with his hits singles "Truly Madly Deeply" and "I Knew I Loved You". His new album is entitled "Affirmation". Please welcome the lead singer for Savage Garden, Darren Hayes.

(cut to Darren who waves to the crowd and smiled) (Darren is wearing a brown long sleeve shirt, black pants, and black boots with black cord necklace)

Host Michael Boatman: You know our next guest from her six years as Doctor Quinn Medicine Woman and the resent Showtime movie "Enslavement". She is also the author of the children's book series "This one and that one" Please welcome the lovely talented Jane Seymour. Also joining us is at comic genius you've seen in countless ....he is a genius ...he is.. Countless HBO specials and over a dozen films including his cult classic "Shakes the clown". A big hand for the very funny Bobcat Goldthwaite

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Thank you. Genius?!?

Host Michael Boatman: Yes a genius and another genius. Finally one of the most sought after video directors today. A genius in his own right. He's worked with Celine Dion, Brian McKnight, Brittany Spears, and Toni Braxton. Please give it up for Billie Woodruff

Host Michael Boatman: Hello everyone. Now before we get going let's take a look at some of the best directed music videos.

(cut to video clip)

Host Michael Boatman: Very good words. Okay its time to get our guest's choice. Darren Hayes, who was your third choice, what is your third choice for best directed music video

Darren Hayes: It's actually a Chemical Brothers video directed but a genius called Michele Gondry called "Let forever be". I never remember the song or anything but the fact that this video, the first time I saw it, it completely blew my mind. It's a...It actually uses a lot of in-camera video effects that are not actually in-camera if you watch carefully. Um... and it's actually just..... you know..... the Rubix Cube of music videos. Really.... its a bit of a mind spin and I think visually it's just ...just stunning and it's probably the most important criteria for making a music video.

Host Michael Boatman: And it is actually video. It's shot on video.

Darren Hayes: It's shot on video and then it's not. Because it keeps coming back and forth between the using these in camera effects and real life situations

Host Michael Boatman: Jane?

Jane Seymour: Well my back ground originally before I acted was as a dancer so music to me is really important. So what's great about music videos to me is they heighten the music and take it off to another dimension and when I knew I was coming today I had to pull my family and I have six kids, you know a bunch of teenagers, we all decided we had to have Radio Head so we have "Fake Plastic Trees" by Jake Scott, Okay I have to tell you that Radio Head recorded OKComputer in my house in England which is our claim to fame. This is very bazaar ....very bazaar video and I really like the use of primary colors I think it really reflects the music.

Host Michael Boatman: Doctor Cat

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Auh...well now being a genius

Host Michael Boatman: Yes

Bobcat Goldthwaite: That's a lot of work,.......... yeah whatever......

Host Michael Boatman: It's a lot of pressure

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Yeah. If I don't cure AIDS during this show I'm gonna look like......You know I too enjoy the young peoples music and the rock videos and I thought long and hard You know I had directed a video and after I had thought really hard about it and I thought "You know what, my video is defiantly one of the top three best directed videos

Host Michael Boatman: Your not making this up. So your putting yourself up.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: yeah, Whatever.....You know I didn't want to but I looked at it and I went "Whoa! Every one better quit!" Who am I kidding. I picked me cause this is the only way VH1 is gonna play the damn thing!

Host Michael Boatman: Let's role the video tape...

Bobcat Goldthwaite: It's the Aqua Bats. Now there we go. That's my dog. My dog's a pretty good actor.

Host Michael Boatman: Now are you in this video

Bobcat Goldthwaite: I'm in the dog suit actually.... There we go. The funny story here is the guy in the cyclops suit strained his nuts when he slipped there. There we go. By the way no cyclops were hurt during the making of this video.

Host Michael Boatman: That's right that's what we all care about.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Now the budget there was 3 million dollars

Host Michael Boatman: It shows

Bobcat Goldthwaite: It does show.

Host Michael Boatman: It shows on the screen

Bobcat Goldthwaite: No, well actually it mostly went to the craft service so I got a lot of doughnuts and treats

Host Michael Boatman: Okay Billie Woodruff what was your choice.

Billie Woodruff: My third choice was PortiseHead "Sour Times" and thinking of the best directed video, being a director for me best director for me would be something that kind of reflects the song. It brings you to another place that you didn't think about when you heard the song and that excites the viewers. This video reflects the song. The song this very depressing. It's kind of like a film-duar. They used muted colors to kind of match the music it's a song about being alone and depressed and heart broken and the video kind of does that. It shows you what its like.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Thanks for bringing us down.

Host Michael Boatman: But now ...but heres a question to me. When you look at a video... I mean I'm an actor and I look at a other actors and I think "I don't know about that moment." Do you see that same thing in a video? Do you look at it very critically that way?

Billie Woodruff: Well I look art it like the audience does, but I also look at it very critically sometimes. I'll say "I could have done a much better video for that. Sometimes I do. There are so many different ways you can do videos. I try to be nice about it cause I don't want people to say stuff like that about my videos!

Host Michael Boatman: Okay Darren, Whats your second choice.

Darren Hayes: My first choice is more of and arty thing and I thought that visually it was stunning. Well, it's a Michael Jackson video. (crowd cheers as Darren nods and raises his hands in an "of course " gesture) It's called "Scream" and I think..........

Host Michael Boatman: Who directed?

Darren Hayes: It's directed by a Michael Romanek and at the time it was one of the most expensive videos ever made... Everything... the art direction is amazing. I think it's a piece of art. One of my favorite things about music videos is that they don't have to be literal. It can just be a piece of art in itself. And you should just turn on you television and just say "Wow!" The first time I saw this I really did.

Host Michael Boatman: Janet and Michael Jackson.

Host Michael Boatman: The lovely and talented Jane Seymour your second choice.

Jane Seymour: Well I've always loved anything Madonna comes up with because she just transforms herself in to someone completely different every time. But I really liked "Frozen" directed by Chris Cunningham. Because again as a dancer that whole thing she does with her hands and everything. And the way she ...it's amazing how she transforms in to the animals.... this incredible dog.... and it's extraordinary.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: I don't know what the hell this video is about

Host Michael Boatman: But it's true every time I hear this song I can't help but think of this video.

Jane Seymour: But the way she works with the costume too. It's amazing .... she does that and suddenly she becomes this animal.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: She's not really an animal Jane. It's a special effect.

Host Michael Boatman: Your second choice.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: It's like "Okay Madonna, roll around in the desert and your a crow!" Huh? "That's directing!" You wanna be the crow! okay, Well I did another video.....

Host Michael Boatman: OH!! It's your whole career on the here!

Bobcat Goldthwaite: No... alright there's so much in this video that I really like and it's Spike Jonze the Beastie Boys SABOTAGE video. And I mean I like this video for a lot of reasons. One is it probably cost a nickel to make and that to me.. the most really important to me because I think they spend so much on videos. I always think that means an artist.... I can't believe I used that word...., but that visual meant that performer or artist is covering up something. I think so much money to make something look pretty and all this. Yeah well I mean Michael Jackson and his sister floating around space? What the..... is that supposed to do with it?

(Darren mocking BG)

Darren Hayes: It's art you know!

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Art. Alright.... Alright... Whatever.

Host Michael Boatman: Okay Billie Woodruff

Billie Woodruff: My second choice is by Michele Gondry directed it.
(motions to Darren) He picked it for his third choice, who I love his work. It's very creative and arty.

Darren Hayes: Very Expensive.

Billie Woodruff: Yeah.... very expensive, very effect heavy but the video Bijork, "Army of Me". I'll know it's has something to with the song but then it's doesn't you see a tank which makes you think of an army but it's all about a dentist office and teeth. There are the teeth.... and everything about the way she floated and the way he does the effects. Isn't seamless. It's looks cheesy sometimes. But it's supposed to be done that way which makes it an art in and of its own. And it's matches Bijork's music which is kind of visual and quirky.

Host Michael Boatman: Alright we have to take a short break but when we come back you'll get out panelists first choices for best directed music video.... please stay with us.

(open)

(scan crowd who are holding Savage Garden Posters, magazines and CD's)

Host Michael Boatman: Welcome back to the list. Our topic today is best directed music video. You've already heard our panelists third and second choices. Lets get to their number one picks. Darren Hayes?

Darren Hayes: I was obsessed with this video and this video director whet on to direct some pretty amazing films like..... "Fight Club" was one of them and he's a bit of visionary when it comes to being a director. This was all about lighting in this video and editing And I think that...... well you see it's "Vogue" by Madonna. Well when it first came out it was all about the editing pace. When you watch this video, This is when videos in the 80's started taking quick cuts and the pace was incredible and the lighting was incredible... borrowed from Hollywood but it's amazing. Its by David Fincher and I, even today I can still put this video on and say I think its the best music video I have ever seen in my life.

Jane Seymour: incidentally. Its another black and white.

Darren Hayes: yeah..

Jane Seymour: That's three black and whites he's picked. Isn't that interesting?

Darren Hayes: But for me its funny because as a songwriter, when I'm writing songs it's very visual, well for me. and I think that I have visions and colors and concepts in my head and when I see a music video it doesn't always have to be literal if it speaks to me in an emotional since then it makes since. It's certainly does.

Host Michael Boatman: Great choice. My lady?

Jane Seymour: I didn't really have to think very long and hard about this one and I realize its probably cliché and I'll probably be laughed at but I still think "Thriller" is the best Do I have to say Michael Jackson and John Landis? I mean, also again as a dancer I appreciated this and it was so before it's time. Its just amazing. It's still great.

Host Michael Boatman: I remember this. It was scary I remember being a kid and watching this and going "Ahh!"

Jane Seymour: And you know people actually watched this.....

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Its scarier now! I hope he doesn't break in to my house!

Billie Woodruff: A little break dancing is scary

Darren Hayes: We actually had screenings of that at my high school. I remember when I was growing up. You know.... they would pay money and we would watch the home video of Michael Jackson's "Thriller". We were obsessed with it.

Jane Seymour: Really?

Host Michael Boatman: Bobcat Goldthwaite?

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Alright. auh. Like I really don't know how much this cost to make but actually, like Billie was saying on one of his choices. I like this video a lot because of the effects are all in-camera.

Host Michael Boatman: Right.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: And so it ah.. I'm anti like computer effects and all that kind of hooey that's tossed at the video screen. So this is "Tonight Tonight" by the Smashing Pumpkins by Daton-Farris

Host Michael Boatman: Yeah its all done ...it's all done on sets and set pieces.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Yeah and cut outs.

Billie Woodruff: It's beautiful. It's like multi layers

Host Michael Boatman: Yeah

Darren Hayes: Was it expensive filming?

Bobcat Goldthwaite: It's very expensive

Darren Hayes: It looks expensive

(Everyone laughs at the cheesy effects)

Jane Seymour: Are you in this one?

Bobcat Goldthwaite: No...okay ...yeah that's me.. I'm the captain of the sea there..there I am!

Host Michael Boatman: Yeah there he is..yeah baby!!

Host Michael Boatman: Billie Woodruff? What's your choice?

Billie Woodruff: My first choice is a video directed by me, because that's what I do.

Host Michael Boatman: Whoa! Wait a minute. now come on!

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Where do you get off!! What kind of nerve do you have?!?!

Host Michael Boatman: You self-promoting......

Billie Woodruff: I I didn't pick one of my own videos it means I don't believe in myself

Darren Hayes: He's a pretty good director, folks.

Billie Woodruff: This actually it's between this. It's a Toni Braxton video and I love Toni Braxton and I think her new video is maybe my best but I know no one has seen it yet. So I picked this one. It was a toss up. This is "Your Making Me High" By Toni Braxton

Host Michael Boatman: Yeah

Billie Woodruff: and I just think that this video is really sexy the song was sexy she looked amazing. I loved the set.

Host Michael Boatman: Is this the white. Yeah that white outfit! That's what I remember! Yeah!

Billie Woodruff: Yeah and the funny story line is.....

Host Michael Boatman: That's what I'm talking about!

Billie Woodruff: It's funny too she ends up picking the pizza guy instead of all the guys that are ...... you know..

Host Michael Boatman: Good choice! Good choice! Okay it is elimination time. We need to take four (to BG) Watch yourself!.... We need to take four off the list. Take a look up there...and Darren.. Okay lets see who comes down first.

Darren Hayes: This is really .. cause I love a lot of the videos. I have to say Spike, even thought I know he's gonna win an Academy Award, but he's gone!

Host Michael Boatman: Alright. Spike Jonze. Ladies and gentlemen

Darren Hayes: Sorry Spike.

Jane Seymour: Well you know what...

Bobcat Goldthwaite: WOW!

Jane Seymour: While were at it let's just whip out that fish thing.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Do they have MTV over in the UK? SABOTAGE is being thrown out? WOW! Mother of Peril!

Jane Seymour: I hate to I hate to.

Host Michael Boatman: Time to...time to make the tough choice.

Jane Seymour: I know. well.. I'm...That one with the.... the one where you said you were the king of the sea.

Host Michael Boatman: Smashing Pumpkins?

Jane Seymour: That one.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Wow! Whoa! Go right ahead.

Jane Seymour: Oh no!

Host Michael Boatman: Unpopular choice today but that's what it's all about.

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Best Director? Best Direction in a video? Humm...humm....humm....humm. humm.....humm I don't even remember what "Sour Times" was What was that?

Billie Woodruff: It was the hospital

Jane Seymour: Depressing remember? Really depressing

Bobcat Goldthwaite: Yeah. I'm sorry but I will lose that one.

Host Michael Boatman: Billie Woodruff? What 's coming down Billie?

Bobcat Goldthwaite: I'll get rid of...."Frozen".

Host Michael Boatman: Frozen? Whoa! Madonna. gone.

Jane Seymour: Well I don't know about that.

Host Michael Boatman: Alright well during our commercial break our studio audience will cast their votes and when we come back we will reveal the top three Best directed music videos. Please stay with us.

(open)

Host Michael Boatman: Welcome back to the List. The choices have been debated, Our audience has cast their votes, but before we announce the List of top three best directed videos. Here's the list of remaining choices that the audience had to choice from:

• Army of me by Bijork directed by Michele Gondry
• Fake Plastic Trees by Radio Head directed by Jake Scott
• Let It Be Forever Chemical Brothers Michele Gondry
• Scream Janet and Michael Jackson Mark Romenek
• Super Rad Aqua Bats Bobcat Goldthwaite
• Thriller Michael Jackson John Landis
• Vogue Madonna David Fincher
• Your Making Me High Toni Braxton Billie Woodruff

Lets have a drum role ladies and gentlemen!
This is the List of the three best directed music videos: Super Rad Aqua Bats....

(BG sticks his butt in Darrens face. Darren puts his boot on BG's butt and pushes him away)

(BG sits)

(Cut to Darren who spits twice on to the ground)

Darren Hayes: Come on! Come on!

(BG and Darren get up and go towards each other BW stops BG. MB steps between them until they sit)

Host Michael Boatman: Come on! Were not having any of that! Were not having any of that! Number 2....Vogue by Madonna

(Darren raises his arms for a second in a victory pose)

Darren Hayes: THANK YOU!

Host Michael Boatman: and the number 1 directed video....Thriller Michael Jackson and John Landis.

(JS turns to BG and pretends to kick him)

Host Michael Boatman: I want to thank each of our panelist...Mr. Darren Hayes, Jane Seymour, Bobcat Goldthwaite, and Billie Woodruff. Our studio audience...and of course you at home. I'm Michael Boatman this is VH1. We'll see you next time on the List.

(BG races across the stage picks Darren up over his head Darren pretends to hit him in the head 4 times. BG puts Darren down. Darren puts him in a head lock and pretends to knee him in the stomach. Both fall to the floor. Darren on his back kicking the air. Darren gets up takes his coffee cup of water and slings the water in BG's face. BG pretends to go after Darren but stops inches from him. They walk together in the middle of the stage)

(END)

(WEB VOTES #1 Thriller #2 Scream #3 Vogue)

(NOTE: No panelist, comedian, or sexy pop star were harmed during the making of this show)

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Thanks to Sharon for the allowing me to use two of her great pictures of Darren that she took with her snappy

Disclaimer: None of the photographs of Darren Hayes or Daniel Jones or the music group Savage Garden on this site belong to this site or site owner and are here for entertainment and informational purposes ONLY. NO claim has been made regarding these photos and no profit is being made from said photos being posted on this web site.
Copyright © 1999-2002 Cindy Greenleaf. All rights reserved.
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