January 21 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by Bassel al-Assad, Son of the former President of the Syrian A…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 69 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined January 21 across the 1990s.
Bassel al-Assad, Son of the former President of the Syrian Arab Republic Hafez a…
Bassel al-Assad, Son of the former President of the Syrian Arab Republic Hafez al-Assad (born 1962)
The U.S. House of Representatives votes 395–28 to reprimand Newt Gingrich for et…
The U.S. House of Representatives votes 395–28 to reprimand Newt Gingrich for ethics violations, making him the first Speaker of the House to be so disciplined.
War on drugs: In one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United S…
War on drugs: In one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepts a ship with over 4,300 kilograms (9,500 lb) of cocaine on board.
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Duel · Jan 21 1994 + 5 more
7 episodes aired on January 21, 1994: "Duel", "Jan 21 1994", "The Lost Logbooks of Magellan", "Who Killed Nick Hazard?", and 3 more.
Vanessa Marcil (host), Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, Robbie Robertson · The End Game (2) + 12 more
14 episodes aired on January 21, 1995: "Vanessa Marcil (host), Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, Robbie Robertson", "The End Game (2)", "Tutto Riso - All Rice", "ERR", and 10 more.
Cat in a tub; truck splits · Royal Rumble + 4 more
6 episodes aired on January 21, 1996: "Cat in a tub; truck splits", "Royal Rumble", "1996 Royal Rumble WWE Free for All", "Tempus Anyone?", and 2 more.
Ep. #7957 · Jan 21 1997 + 12 more
14 episodes aired on January 21, 1997: "Ep. #7957", "Jan 21 1997", "Tuesday, January 21, 1997", "The Handyman", and 10 more.
Picture This · January 21 1998 + 10 more
12 episodes aired on January 21, 1998: "Picture This", "January 21 1998", "No Compromises", "Message in a Bottle", and 8 more.
TRL Countdown — 1999
Total Request Live was the center of the pop universe. Teens were burning up the phone lines to vote, and the countdown from Times Square was the most-watched 30 minutes on MTV.
The reigning #1 — retired from the countdown after an extended run at the top.
Eminem's "My Name Is" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Korn's "Freak On A Leash" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
*NSYNC's "I Drive Myself Crazy" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Sugar Ray's "Every Morning" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Limp Bizkit's "Nookie" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
98 Degrees's "The Hardest Thing" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from January 21 across the 1990s.
Knowledge Musona, Zimbabwean footballer
Knowledge Musona, Zimbabwean footballer
Ali Al-Busaidi, Omani footballer
Ali Al-Busaidi, Omani footballer
Kwame Karikari, Ghanaian footballer
Kwame Karikari, Ghanaian footballer · Nicolás Mezquida, Uruguayan footballer · Roland Szolnoki, Hungarian footballer
Ronald Blair, former professional American football player
Ronald Blair, former professional American football player · Muralha, Brazilian footballer · Charlie Gehringer, American baseball player and manager (born 1903)
Amin Affane, Swedish footballer
Amin Affane, Swedish footballer
Jake Elliott, American football player
Jake Elliott, American football player · Marine Johannès, French basketball player · Alanna Kennedy, Australian soccer player · Nguyễn Công Phượng, Vietnamese footballer
Marco Asensio, Spanish footballer
Marco Asensio, Spanish footballer · Cristian Pavón, Argentine footballer
Mamadi Diakite, Guinean basketball player
Mamadi Diakite, Guinean basketball player
Pervis Estupiñán, Ecuadorian footballer
Pervis Estupiñán, Ecuadorian footballer
Alisha Lehmann, Swiss footballer
Alisha Lehmann, Swiss footballer
Full Events Archive
Highlights
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Kelly Rohrbach
Kelly Rohrbach, American model and actress
Jan Hirt
Jan Hirt, Czech cyclist
Brayden McNabb
Brayden McNabb, Canadian ice hockey player
Marta Pagnini
Marta Pagnini, Italian gymnast
Bassel al-Assad, Son of the former President of the Syrian Arab Republic Hafez al-Assad (born 1962)
The U.S. House of Representatives votes 395–28 to reprimand Newt Gingrich for ethics violations, making him the first Speaker of the House to be so disciplined.
War on drugs: In one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepts a ship with over 4,300 kilograms (9,500 lb) of cocaine on board.
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Ali Al-Busaidi
Ali Al-Busaidi, Omani footballer
Kwame Karikari
Kwame Karikari, Ghanaian footballer
Roland Szolnoki
Roland Szolnoki, Hungarian footballer
Ronald Blair
Ronald Blair, former professional American football player
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
"Duel" (Season 1, Episode 12) aired on 1994-01-21.
The Young and the Restless
"Friday January 21 1994" (Season 5, Episode 15) aired on 1994-01-21.
All My Children
"Fri Jan 21 1994" (Season 1994, Episode 15) aired on 1994-01-21.
General Hospital
"Fri Jan 21 1994" (Season 1994, Episode 15) aired on 1994-01-21.
"The Lost Logbooks of Magellan" (Season 1, Episode 13) aired on 1994-01-21.
"Dan Rather, Dave Pirner & Victoria Williams, Brett Hull" (Season 1994, Episode 15) aired on 1994-01-21.
"Vanessa Marcil (host), Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, Robbie Robertson" (Season 1995, Episode 3) aired on 1995-01-21.
"The End Game (2)" (Season 1, Episode 13) aired on 1995-01-21.
"Mary J. Blige/ Lords of the Underground/ Ebony Vibe Everlasting (E.V.E)" (Season 24, Episode 14) aired on 1995-01-21.
"The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards 1995" (Season 1995, Episode 1) aired on 1995-01-21.
"The Tale of Train Magic" (Season 4, Episode 13) aired on 1995-01-21.
"David Hyde Pierce / LIVE" (Season 20, Episode 11) aired on 1995-01-21.
"Cat in a tub; truck splits" (Season 7, Episode 14) aired on 1996-01-21.
"1996 Royal Rumble WWE Free for All" (Season 1, Episode 1) aired on 1996-01-21.
"Tempus Anyone?" (Season 3, Episode 14) aired on 1996-01-21.
"The 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards 1996" (Season 1996, Episode 1) aired on 1996-01-21.
"Drinky the Drunk Guy" (Season 2, Episode 6) aired on 1996-01-21.
"Something About Reverse Psychology" (Season 1, Episode 13) aired on 1997-01-21.
"Caroline and the Kept Man" (Season 2, Episode 14) aired on 1997-01-21.
"John Cleese" (Season 1997, Episode 10) aired on 1997-01-21.
"Wednesday January 21 1998" (Season 27, Episode 35) aired on 1998-01-21.
"Wednesday Janaury 21 1998" (Season 1998, Episode 14) aired on 1998-01-21.
"Wednesday Janaury 21 1998" (Season 1998, Episode 14) aired on 1998-01-21.
"Wednesday January 21 1998" (Season 1998, Episode 15) aired on 1998-01-21.
"Wednesday January 21 1998" (Season 1998, Episode 19) aired on 1998-01-21.
"Attack of the Cute Little Puppies" (Season 1, Episode 20) aired on 1998-01-21.
"Ben Stiller" (Season 1998, Episode 11) aired on 1998-01-21.
Total Request Live had teenagers calling in around the clock. Here's what was charting:
The #1 most requested video on TRL on this date in 1999
#2 on TRL — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#3 on TRL — Korn, "Freak On A Leash"
#4 on TRL — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#5 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#6 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#7 on TRL — Limp Bizkit, "Nookie"
#8 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
#9 on TRL — Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"
#10 on TRL — Destiny's Child, "Bills, Bills, Bills"
By Year
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