As MTV News officially concluded its 36-year journey, many reminisced about the network’s impactful era. Among those reflecting is Kurt Loder, the original MTV News anchor, who expressed surprise and gratitude for the online affection he received. In a recent episode of the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Loder, alongside fellow MTV News veterans Tabitha Soren and John Norris, delved into their experiences during MTV’s heyday. This look back not only highlights the end of an era but also shines a light on the significant contributions of figures like John Norris during his younger years at MTV.
The podcast episode features these iconic correspondents revisiting their time at MTV News, particularly their coverage of the numerous musician deaths in the 1990s and other pivotal moments. Loder shared his approach to maintaining an authentic on-air persona, resisting the pressure to adopt an overly energetic television demeanor. He humorously recalled witnessing Nirvana’s hotel room destruction post-interview and the somber task of reporting on Kurt Cobain’s suicide.
Soren recounted her successful pitch to MTV for serious coverage of the 1992 presidential election and her memorable 1995 interview with Tupac Shakur, an encounter marked by intense security measures from Death Row Records. She remembered Shakur as “incredibly warm” and insightful about global issues.
John Norris, another prominent face of MTV News, brought his own compelling stories to the conversation. He reflected on a 1999 interview with a young Britney Spears at her childhood home in Louisiana, noting the absence of any foreshadowing of future hardships. Norris described Spears and her family as welcoming and Spears herself as “super wide-eyed and unable to believe that this was all happening.” This memory serves as a poignant reminder of Spears’ early innocence before the intense pressures of fame took hold.
Both Norris and Loder offered candid perspectives on their departures from MTV. Loder humorously admitted his aversion to seeing older individuals on television as a reason for stepping back from the Video Music Awards. In contrast, Norris openly criticized ageism within the industry, detailing his determination to remain at MTV News for as long as possible.
Norris also addressed the pervasive homophobia within the alternative rock scene of the 90s and fondly remembered his friendship with George Michael. He recounted conducting Michael’s first interview after the singer publicly came out as gay, describing the visible relief and transformation in Michael as a “massive weight had been lifted.”
The reflections from Loder, Soren, and particularly Norris, in this Rolling Stone Music Now podcast episode offer valuable insights into the formative years of MTV News. Their stories encapsulate an era where music television held immense cultural significance, shaping youth culture and delivering news with a distinct MTV flavor. The end of MTV News marks the close of this chapter, making these recollections of John Norris and his colleagues all the more significant for understanding the network’s lasting impact.
