MTV Ultra Sound September 27, 1998

Tori appeared on MTV Ultra Sound in the U.S. on Sunday, September 27. The show, which lasted for 30 minutes, had the title "The Tori Philes" and took a look at Tori's life through the comments of "those who know her best, the Tori Philes". They interviewed several Toriphiles, including some I know personally (Hi Gina, Lisa, Matt & William!) Tori was also interviewed, and she made many insightful comments thoughout the program. They basically covered her life from a small child to her most recent album, "from the choirgirl hotel." The details they gave were things most fans already know, but it was still a well done and interesting program. My only complaint as usual with MTV programs is the editing. All those quick cuts and one second glances of her onstage were frustrating...I wanted to see more! This episode of MTV Ultra Sound will re-air Sunday, October 4 at 9:00 AM.

Between the clips of her fans talking and of Tori talking, they showed clips from various Tori videos, several scenes of Tori meeting with her Ears With Feet, photos from when Tori was a young girl (which are in her authorized biography), and even some brief concert footage from the Plugged '98 tour. Tori talked about all her albums in her interviews. The part of the interview that really touched me was when Tori was talking about her miscarriage. There was so much emotion and sadness in her voice that it was impossible to not feel strongly as she talked about it, especially when she said, "I wanted to be a mom more than anything else." I was also struck by what she said when she talked about meeting her fans and that fact that some of them are being "unintentionally selfish." Here is that part of the interview:

"The most exciting thing I can do is to connect with somebody who has something intelligent to say. But sometimes if you have somebody, somebody at the shows that just won't let up, that just won't, and wants to take your attention away, and there are a thousand kids waiting, then, even though they don't mean to be selfish, that kinda gets on your nerves, cause you're going, "Look, we've signed three things, we've talked for, you know, 2 minutes, and look at all these other kids. What about sharing? That kinda gets on my nerves. But it's not exhausting to try to connect to another human being."

The main five fans who talked about Tori's life during the show were Matt, Gina, Lisa, William, and Christian. They did a really good job, and the entire show in general was very respectful to Tori and to her Ears With Feet. Below you will find some photos from this special. Click on any thumbnail to see a larger image. After the photos I include a few comments from other Toriphiles who saw the show.

The Toriphiles who helped describe Tori's life: Gina, Lisa, Matt, William, & Christian.

Main 1998 Tori Interview

Earlier 1998 Interview Clip

Concert Footage From The MCI Center in Washington D.C., August 8, 1998

Tori On Early 1992 MTV Special

RAINN Commercial

Clips From "The Big Picture" Video From YKTR

Comments on Ultra Sound from Leanna:

I just finished watching Mtv Ultrasound, and it was THE most beautiful interview I've ever seen... it told a really original and in-depth look at her life, and provided some facts I never knew before. For example, I'd been dying to see what Eric Rosse looks like for the longest time, and this finally provided a picture for me. I'd never seen several of the videos as well, including the one for Past the Mission.

The interview was very emotional for me, too. I cried from when she sang Me and a Gun to the end. She actually cried too while she was talking about her miscarriage. The show was wonderfully done... congratulations Mtv! My opinion of them has changed drastically!

Comments on Ultra Sound from Heather Parsons posted to the Precious-Things mailing list:

Argh...some way mixed feelings on MTV's The Tori Philes...

First off, it wasn't what I was expecting: I thought it was going to be some kind of in-depth look (ha..as if MTV is capable...mistake number one) at Tori's fans. Nada. It was just a few (what? four or five?) fans telling Tori's story. Really it was just a hash of Tori's life as told by fans, and her. Seriously, there wasn't much new there, except for the fact that they played a pretty long clip of "The Big Picture" video, which was just splendid! Wonder how much digging they had to do in the archives to find that one...

But could everyone join me in a big "Fuck you" to MTV? It's like this--while I'm glad Tori's getting recognition for what she does, fer chrissakes people! I can count on one hand how many times I've seen Tori's videos on MTV. They have done her no favors whatsoever. The video clips played: Silent All These Years, Crucify, Winter, Me and a Gun (live), Past the Mission, Cornflake Girl, God, Hey Jupiter, Caught A Lite Sneeze, Spark, Jackie's Strength...oooh, yeah, lotsa regular airplay...or even mildly substantial airplay there...I know, I'm bitter. It's just that I get this feeling this is what execs in the MTV offices were thinking "Well, here's Tori...that wacky, eccentric, fairy-loving redheaded chick with a piano...hey, she's got some guitars and cool electronic things on this new album...maybe we should do something on her now that she's a bit more mainstream." PLEASE.

Plus, they sorda lumped her fans into this "obsessive" category that pissed me off. Please, let's show that Beatles footage again! It's not because we're all so devoted, it's because they can't believe that a woman who doesn't cater to any musical formula and sell herself as "just a girl" can have such a substantial following. Hey, everyone! We're weirdos! Glad someone could point that out for us...especially a station whose idea of breaking new artists is playing the same Puff Daddy video twenty-five times a frikkin day.

But I taped it. And I'll prolly watch it again right after I send this. We'll see if I'm still bleeting so bitter later on...(sigh)

Comments on Ultra Sound from James (IN NYC):

First of all- to the person who claims that MTV doesnt currently air enough tori and that MTV has done nothing for her career at all, 2 clarifiers: 1)MTV played Silent All These Years and Crucify off of the first album before anyone knew who she was and before any radio stations were airing her. They also gave her a half our special after Little Earthquakes came out- before anyone knew who she was! 2) MTV does appreciate tori- they've given her an HOUR-LONG unplugged, commercial to commercial news clips, an ultra sound and is giving her Revue. The people at MTV dont give her air time are in charge of Music programming- that one department is obsessed with the new Dance/R&B scene and so tori misses out. Contact Music Programming. Tori's live shows are great self promotion-more videos would be great but- who needs em?

The special was OK. Why was tori in a location with ambient noise like water-falls and barking dogs (regardless of how much tori likes being near the water). And did they play Silent all these Years once? TOri's first single, toris Rainn theme, toris highest charting song? Thats a little weird. And why did they use the album track of Precious Things when they had her playing live in the studio- whats wrong with her live singing- nothing!

I think the stuff tori talked about was good- it was really in depth about her early career and how she rights her music- and she tells stories so well- MTV didnt use any clips of her being "wacky" like talking about gods nobody knows or making weird references- the media likes to show her strange moments and the special made her look really insightful and with it.

Comments on Ultra Sound from Laura:

Just thought I would add my comments about the MTV Ultrasound show..... Hey what great people they picked to interview! (Hi Gina, Lisa, Matt and William!) I thought although there really was not anything new to me on the show....it was really well put togther. The little bits of live footage from shows was great.....but I agree with Mike...I wanted more! It would have been nice if they had used longer clips and done more with the live stuff and less with the videos that I have seen a million times. (Not that I don't enjoy her videos or anything). So...anyway...I am babbeling...I thought it was a good show and it was neat to see my friends on TV. And Gina and Lisa if you read this....I miss you guys so much!!!!!!!

Comments on Ultra Sound from Becky "the little raisongal":

I liked the Ultra Sound interview that was on MTV the other night, but parts of it made me feel unconfortable. It was kind of...not right...to have Tori's EWF talking about her rape and miscarriage. I mean....to have the fans explaining the situation of how she was raped...that seems a bit....uncalled for. This is not something that we should be sharing with the world. This is something that Tori has shared with us....and if she wants to share it, she can. When the EWF talk about it, it makes it sound like they are just rattling off random facts about her...which I know isn't true. I am not in any way trying to put down those interviewed...I know it may not be fair to say this about the EWF who were on the show, because they may have just been replying to the interviewers questions, but perhaps the interviewer should not have aksed those questions...To me, these are events that only Tori should be able to verbalize. It is as if we are trying to steal her story. It made me feel uncomfortable. Perhpas it was just me though. Other than that, I enjoyed the show. I just think we have to watch out limits when we are discussing Tori's personal life...

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