When MTV debuted nearly 35 years ago, the video jockeys, or VJs, became nearly as famous as the musicians they presented. Folks like Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood, Pauly Shore, Downtown Julie Brown, Kennedy, Bill Bellamy and Carson Daly became stars. Of course, MTV and later VH1 became more about reality shows and less about music, so VJs began to go extinct. However, one VJ remained. Jim Shearer started at MTV in 2002 and served as the host of VHI's Top 20 Video Countdown for the past 5 or 6 years. Jim is great. He's funny, does an excellent job interviewing guests and simply seems like a guy that would be cool to hang out with. And yes I may be biased because Jim is also from Western Pennsylvania and agreed to do an interview with me here on Sean's Ramblings.
Inexplicably, VH1 decided not to renew Jim's contract for 2015. The Top 20 countdown is currently having guest hosts (Gavin DeGraw last week and Andy Grammer this week). I'm sure they are both swell people (plus DeGraw attended Ithaca College; I'll have to share my story about him sometime), but they are no Jim Shearer.
Fortunately, we can still see Jim. He started Gimme 5 with Mike Adam, and as usual, Jim is great. Again, I may be biased but Jim's top five are much better than Mike's picks.
You can check out their first two episodes below and follow Gimme 5 and Jim on Twitter.
Top Pop Songs of 2014
Best Rap Feature in a Pop Song
While I'm not sure he's looking for work, someone needs to hire Jim immediately!
Thursday, January 22, 2015
The Last VJ
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28 comments:
VH1 made a MAJOR mistake dropping Jim Shearer as host of the Top 20 Video Countdown!! It's just not the same without him!! Loved Jim on the show as host and really do miss him!!! The guest hosts are not NEARLY as good as Jim!! MISS YOU JIM!!!!!!!!
I agree! Bring Shearer back!
This makes me really sad. The guest hosts are terrible and Jim was the best host they'd had in years! I wish him well in whatever he does next.
I agree! Jim was an amazing host with a wealth of knowledge. I have to admit I have not enjoyed a countdown since he left and consequently have not watched much of them. Big mistake! We need him back!
Jim Shearer was great. The new hire is trying to hard and is annoying. Poor choice on her and the big mistake on not renewing Jim.
Come on VH1. Get real and bring Jim back. Or else, I'm done with you!
I don't watch the countdown anymore. It sucks now.
I'm sure they don't care about my opinion - but......I miss Jim!!! Just CAN'T deal with this new girl. So annoying, not funny, not anything!!!!!
Bring Jim back
I can't watch anymore...this girl they've hired now is...well....she's dumb...she's not funny, no matter how hard she tries and it's painfully obvious...bring back Jim!!
After working all week my husband and I enjoyed a cup of coffee on Saturday morning and watch the countdown with Jim Shearer. He was calm, mature, and informative. Now we have annoying Shannon Coffey who screams at us and is obviously all about herself. So we only turn on VH1 Countdown at 10:00 to see the # 1 video. Please get a replacement similar to Jim Shearer so we can enjoy the entire show again.
I agree as well with the other responses. I watched the countdown every week and seldom do now. They made a big mistake if it's about money because they are losing viewers every week.
Miss Jim, what were they thinking not bringing him back. He was so natural, great interviewer, funny, smart. This new Shannon girl is awful, uncomfortable and hard to watch. The show is now stupid. I'm not watching it anymore.
Ever since Jim left the countdown hasn't been the same. I stopped watching and was displeased to learn about the new girl. Even her commercial was uncomfortable to watch; she isn't naturally funny and even with a script she just isn't likable. VH1 made a huge mistake.
Bring Jim back!! All the fill in host suck! Bring Jim back! Bring Jim back! You are going to lose many viewers!
The new host don't have any flow! It is so bad I can't watch it anymore! I have watched the Countdown for 20 years!
I tried to give Shannon Coffey a chance. Was hoping she would settle into the impossible task of replacing Jim. Sadly, "the 20" isnt even tolerable. It's almost a mockery of its predecessor. I don't watch the show anymore, actually I don't know anyone who does. Huge fail vh1. How about a host/hostess who truly loves music and is so knowledgeable that viewers look forward to watching?
I thought I was the only one that disliked Shannon Coffey. She will be the reason I stop watching the countdown.
Bring Jim back!!! Shannon is annoying! I don't even watch anymore because of her:/
I loved Jim Shearer.What a huge mistaketo let him go!!! I have watched for years and can't watch it any more.!That was my favorite program to watch on the weekends!!!! Bring him back,please!!!!
I AGREE SHANNON IS VERY ANNOYING, BRING JIM SHEARER BACK. ONLY WATCH IT ON DVR, SO I CAN SKIP HER
Shannon Coffey is an idiot. Bring Jim Back
I agree with everyone. I don't like the new host at all. She is annoying and not funny at all. Me and my husband liked to watch the countdown with Jim Shearer on the weekends, but since this new girl started it's really hard to watch. I don't get excited about watching it like I used to and sometimes don't even bother. If they keep this girl on there, I don't know if we will keep watching it. We really loved Jim Shearer. VH1, please bring him back!
Agree Coffey is annoying! I do the DVR of countdown so can skip her ramblings. Tried to warm up to her but she becomes more irritating the more I watch her! Get someone else!
I no longer watch, it is stupid now, no class! They made a big mistake!
I am late to the party, but it is now November 2015, and I STILL miss Jim Shearer. Hope VH1 brings him back.
I think the 20 has been cancelled completely!!
Honestly, I don't know why they cancelled the show in the first place. It was great to wake up too! Sure, they had multiple hosts and hostesses, but does the show really need a host? Can't VH1 still show music videos but just not have a host? I thought VH1 stood for video hits, correct me if I am wrong. I hope they really do consider bringing "The 20" otherwise I might cancel the channel on my bill.
Even though I'm 63, I love music & Jim S. He is fantastic, knows everything and is a great person. I hate Shannon. What a twit!!! I will never watch again. Terryanne Foster Nebraska
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