August 23 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a numb…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 25 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined August 23 across the 1990s.
Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guest…
Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guests" (actually hostages) to try to prevent the Gulf War.
Eugene Bullard, the only African American pilot in World War I, is posthumously …
Eugene Bullard, the only African American pilot in World War I, is posthumously commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Eric Gairy, Grenadian educator and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Grenada (bo…
Eric Gairy, Grenadian educator and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Grenada (born 1922)
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Zsa Zsa Gabor, Chris Eigeman, Mikal Gilmore · David Alan Grier + 2 more
4 episodes aired on August 23, 1994: "Zsa Zsa Gabor, Chris Eigeman, Mikal Gilmore", "David Alan Grier", "Shaun Cassidy", "The Soft Touch".
romance · James Brown, A.W. Sipe + 2 more
4 episodes aired on August 23, 1995: "romance", "James Brown, A.W. Sipe", "Nudes and Nails", "Mike Judge (2)".
"A Very Brady Sequel" (Season 5, Episode ?) aired on 1996-08-23. · "The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special" (Season 1996, Episode ?) aired on 1996-08-23. + 2 more
4 episodes aired on August 23, 1996: ""A Very Brady Sequel" (Season 5, Episode ?) aired on 1996-08-23.", ""The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special" (Season 1996, Episode ?) aired on 1996-08-23.", "Nathan Lane, Mara Wilson", "Episode 55".
Raven's Revenge · Anthony Quinn, Janine Turner, Taj Mahal + 3 more
5 episodes aired on August 23, 1997: "Raven's Revenge", "Anthony Quinn, Janine Turner, Taj Mahal", "Spike's Babies / Chicken Pops", "When Pigs Ruled the Earth", and 1 more.
Adrian's Garden (1) · ArenaBowl XII: #4 Orlando Predators at #1 Tampa Bay Storm + 6 more
8 episodes aired on August 23, 1998: "Adrian's Garden (1)", "ArenaBowl XII: #4 Orlando Predators at #1 Tampa Bay Storm", "Lard of the Dance", "That '70s Pilot", and 4 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brandy & Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" 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.
Music
From chart-toppers to birthdays to passings — what the music world was up to on August 23 across the decade.
Will Toledo, American singer-songwriter
Will Toledo, American singer-songwriter
August Ames, Canadian pornographic actress (died 2017)
August Ames, Canadian pornographic actress (died 2017)
Alfred Eisenstaedt, German-American photographer and journalist (born 1898)…
Alfred Eisenstaedt, German-American photographer and journalist (born 1898)
Lil Yachty, American rapper and singer
Lil Yachty, American rapper and singer · John Kendrew, English biochemist and crystallographer, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1917)
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from August 23 across the 1990s.
Seth Curry, American basketball player
Seth Curry, American basketball player · Mike Yastrzemski, American baseball player
Nicola Docherty, Scottish footballer
Nicola Docherty, Scottish footballer
Taylor Decker, American football player
Taylor Decker, American football player · Tyler Glasnow, American baseball player · Iván López, Spanish professional footballer
Jusuf Nurkić, Bosnian basketball player
Jusuf Nurkić, Bosnian basketball player
P. J. Washington, American basketball player
P. J. Washington, American basketball player
Full Events Archive
Highlights
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guests" (actually hostages) to try to prevent the Gulf War.
Armenia
Armenia declares its independence from the Soviet Union.
German reunification
West and East Germany announce that they will reunite on October 3.
David Rose (songwriter)
David Rose, American pianist and composer (born 1910)
Eugene Bullard, the only African American pilot in World War I, is posthumously commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Eric Gairy, Grenadian educator and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Grenada (born 1922)
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Will Toledo
Will Toledo, American singer-songwriter
August Ames
August Ames, Canadian pornographic actress (died 2017)
Alfred Eisenstaedt
Alfred Eisenstaedt, German-American photographer and journalist (born 1898)
Lil Yachty
Lil Yachty, American rapper and singer
John Kendrew, English biochemist and crystallographer, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1917)
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Seth Curry
Seth Curry, American basketball player
Mike Yastrzemski
Mike Yastrzemski, American baseball player
Taylor Decker
Taylor Decker, American football player
Tyler Glasnow
Tyler Glasnow, American baseball player
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
"Zsa Zsa Gabor, Chris Eigeman, Mikal Gilmore" (Season 1994, Episode 147) aired on 1994-08-23.
Ellen
"The Soft Touch" (Season 1, Episode 10) aired on 1994-08-23.
The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder
"James Brown, A.W. Sipe" (Season 1995, Episode 148) aired on 1995-08-23.
Road Rules
"Nudes and Nails" (Season 1, Episode 6) aired on 1995-08-23.
"The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special" (Season 1996, Episode ?) aired on 1996-08-23.
"Nathan Lane, Mara Wilson" (Season 1996, Episode 136) aired on 1996-08-23.
"Anthony Quinn, Janine Turner, Taj Mahal" (Season 1997, Episode 12) aired on 1997-08-23.
"Where No Duckman Has Gone Before" (Season 4, Episode 27) aired on 1997-08-23.
"ArenaBowl XII: #4 Orlando Predators at #1 Tampa Bay Storm" (Season 1998, Episode 1) aired on 1998-08-23.
"Sitzkrieg: The Phony War" (Season 2, Episode 9) aired on 1998-08-23.
The digital revolution was just getting started:
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 — Korn, "Freak On A Leash"
#3 on TRL — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#4 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#5 on TRL — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#6 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#7 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
#8 on TRL — Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"
#9 on TRL — Brandy & Monica, "The Boy Is Mine"
#10 on TRL — Limp Bizkit, "Nookie"
By Year
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