''MTV Spring Break'' refers to
the channel's defunct annual
spring break
Spring break is a vacation period at universities and schools that includes the Easter holiday, and takes place in early Northern Hemisphere spring. Introduced in the U.S. during the 1930s, spring break has been observed in Europe since t ...
coverage, featuring numerous live performances from artists and bands on location. The annual tradition continued into the 2000s, when it became de-emphasized and handed off to
mtvU
MTVU (formerly stylized as MtvU and mtvU) is an American digital cable TV channel owned by the MTV Entertainment Group, a unit of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. MTVU programming initially served 750 college and univ ...
, the spin-off channel of MTV targeted at college campuses.
Background
MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
began its annual Spring break coverage in 1986,
setting up temporary operations in
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a coastal Resort town, resort city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. Located on the East Coast of the United States, its population was 72,647 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is part of the Deltona� ...
, for a week in March, broadcasting live eight hours per day. "Spring break is a youth culture event", MTV's vice president
Doug Herzog said at the time. "We wanted to be part of it for that reason. It makes good sense for us to come down and go live from the center of it, because obviously the people there are the kinds of people who watch MTV."
After
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale ( ) is a coastal city located in the U.S. state of Florida, north of Miami along the Atlantic Ocean. It is the county seat of and most populous city in Broward County with a population of 182,760 at the 2020 census, making it ...
started discouraging college students from vacationing there for Spring break in the mid-1980s,
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a coastal Resort town, resort city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. Located on the East Coast of the United States, its population was 72,647 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It is part of the Deltona� ...
mayor
Larry Kelly appeared on national television to encourage college vacationers to come to Daytona Beach for Spring break instead.
Soon after, beer and cigarette brands started advertising in Daytona Beach for Spring break. He later called that decision a mistake as locals experienced many problems during Spring break every year.
Kelly's efforts to reign in the revelry included promoting athletic competitions called "Spring Games" to channel youthful energy in a wholesome direction,
and proposing that hotels be billed for the cost of sending police to respond to calls during Spring break.
Soon after he lost his election bid in 1993, Daytona cut ties with MTV.
Birthday parties included a ''
My Super Sweet 21'', which was broadcast during MTV's Spring break party. Meanwhile,
Ron Norsworthy served as a visual artist and designer for ''MTV Spring Break 2004'' and ''MTV Spring Break 2005''.
Notable performances and locations
''MTV Spring Break'' used to hold concerts at the
Bandshell
In theatre, a shell (also known as an acoustical shell, choral shell or bandshell) is a curved, hard surface designed to reflect sound towards an audience.
Often shells are designed to be removable, either rolling away on wheels or lifting into ...
in Daytona.
Mr. Mister performed at the first ''MTV Spring Break'' show in 1986 as did
Craig Chaquico
Craig Clinton Chaquico (or Chaquiço, ; born September 26, 1954) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and composer. From 1974 to 1990 he was lead guitarist for the rock bands Jefferson Starship and Starship (band), Starship. In 1993, he started ...
and
Starship
A starship, starcraft, or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for interstellar travel, traveling between planetary systems. The term is mostly found in science fiction. Reference to a "star-ship" appears as early as 1 ...
. In 1987,
Crowded House
Crowded House are an Australian-New Zealand rock band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria (state), Victoria, Australia, in 1985. Its founding members were Neil Finn (vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter) and Paul Hester (drums), who were both for ...
played there for Spring break.
Shock G
Gregory Edward Jacobs (August 25, 1963 – April 22, 2021), known professionally as Shock G and by his alter ego Humpty Hump, was an American rapper and musician who was best known as the lead vocalist of the hip hop group Digital Underground. ...
and the rest of
Digital Underground
Digital Underground is an American alternative hip hop group from Oakland, California. Its lineup grows with each album and tour.
Digital Underground's leader and mainstay was Gregory "Shock G" Jacobs (also known as Humpty Hump). Shock G forme ...
's TV appearances include ''MTV Spring Break 1990'' in Daytona Beach. Also in 1990,
Chad Smith
Chad Smith (born October 25, 1961) is an American musician who is the drummer of the rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Smith has played with the Chili Peppers since 1988, appearing on ten of the band's studio albums and becoming the band's lo ...
and
Flea
Flea, the common name for the order (biology), order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds. Fleas live by hematophagy, ingesting the blood of their hosts. Adult f ...
of the
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, consisting of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (musician), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), and Chad Smith (drums). Their music incorporates elements of a ...
were arrested after filming an ''MTV Spring Break'' performance. They sexually harassed a 20-year-old woman during their show, after Flea walked into the crowd and carried her away.
In 1992,
Primus performed hit singles “
Jerry Was A Race Car Driver
"Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" is a song by American rock band Primus. It was released as the first single from their second album, '' Sailing the Seas of Cheese'', and reached number 23 on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart. The song tells the st ...
” and “
Tommy the Cat”
In 1993,
Joey Lawrence
Joseph Lawrence Mignogna III (born April 20, 1976) is an American actor, musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, podcaster, and game show host. He was a child actor in the early 1980s and portrayed Joey Russo in '' Blossom'' and Joe Longo ...
was invited to perform "
Nothin' My Love Can't Fix
"Nothin' My Love Can't Fix" is a song by American actor and singer Joey Lawrence, released as the first single from his Joey Lawrence (album), self-titled debut album on February 15, 1993, by MCA Records subsidiary Impact Records. Written by Lawr ...
" on ''MTV Spring Break''. Also in 1993,
DJ Rectangle won the US DMC Championship and the International DJ Search, sponsored by
The Box Television, to become the official DJ for
Def Jam
Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
The ...
recording artist
Warren G
Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and DJ who helped popularize West Coast hip hop during the 1990s.Steve Huey"Warren G: Biography" ''AllMusic.com'', Netaktion LLC, visited May 8, 2020. ...
. He then toured with
Warren G
Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1970) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and DJ who helped popularize West Coast hip hop during the 1990s.Steve Huey"Warren G: Biography" ''AllMusic.com'', Netaktion LLC, visited May 8, 2020. ...
on his Regulate tour, and continued to appear on various television shows including ''MTV Spring Break''. Meanwhile,
DJ Head's television appearances include ''MTV Spring Break'' with
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he is credited with popula ...
,
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner (born September 18, 1974), better known by his stage name Xzibit (pronounced "''exhibit''), is an American rapper, actor, television presenter, radio personality, and record executive. He began his musical career in 1992, ...
, and
Dr. Dre
Andre Romell Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and co-founder of ...
. Another DJ for ''MTV Spring Break'' was
Dave Mays.
Because of its popularity during spring break,
Club La Vela in
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach is a resort town in the Florida Panhandle, and principal city of the Panama City Metropolitan Area. It is a popular vacation destination, especially among people in the Southern United States, and is located in the "Emerald C ...
has been the focus of numerous media reports and events. MTV has made the club its home during numerous spring breaks over the past decade. The club is known for its
bikini
A bikini is a two-piece swimsuit primarily worn by women that features one piece on top that covers the breasts, and a second piece on the bottom: the front covering the pelvis but usually exposing the navel, and the back generally covering ...
and
wet T-shirt contests for women and "hard body" contests for men.
In March 1997,
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton ( ; January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) was an American singer, actress, dancer, and model. Known as the " Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop", she is credited with helping to redefine contemporary R&B, p ...
made an appearance at
MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
's annual spring break celebration in Panama City and during ''MTV Spring Break'', Aaliyah performed "
One in a Million".
Kid Rock
Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known professionally as Kid Rock, is an American musician, singer, rapper, and songwriter. After establishing himself in the Music of Detroit#Hip-hop, Detroit hip-hop scene, he broke through into m ...
's breakthrough hit single "
Bawitdaba" was named by
BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed, Inc. is an American Internet mass media, media, news and entertainment company with a focus on digital media. Based in New York City, BuzzFeed was founded in 2006 by Jonah Peretti and John Seward Johnson III, John S. Johnson III to ...
as one of the top 50 most iconic ''MTV Spring Break'' performances.
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Poway, California, in 1992. Its current and best-known line-up consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. Though its so ...
played MTV Spring Break in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2000, a performance that still continues garner views on
YouTube
YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...
. The music video for their 2023 single "
One More Time One More Time may refer to:
Film and television
* ''One More Time'' (1931 film), a Merrie Melodies cartoon
* ''One More Time'' (1970 film), a film by Jerry Lewis
* ''One More Time'', a 1974 TV special with Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, and other ...
" features the band playing on stages and sets emulating a number of different settings from their past, including the stage from Spring Break 2000.
Comedian
Jim Norton lost his place on the second season of ''
Last Comic Standing
''Last Comic Standing'' is an American reality television talent competition show on NBC that aired from June 1, 2003, to August 9, 2010, and again in 2014 and 2015. Each season a comedian from an initially large group of hopefuls was picked as ...
'' in 2004 because of a contractual obligation to film pilot episodes for MTV which he had secured following the success of his ''One Night Stand'' special. The two pilots were ''Camp Cool'', filed in
Cancun for ''MTV Spring Break'', also starring
Al Shearer about helping men meet women, and ''Stupid Bets''.
Bam Magera and his friends went to
Miami
Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...
in 2006 for "
Viva La Spring Break", a
two-part episode rarely seen since its original broadcast. Meanwhile, the version of ''
Parental Control'' which aired February 2006, differs from its premiere on MTV's ''Spring Break 2005'' in March. A girl was to interview five boys, and after a set of about five questions for each person or an activity of some sort, the father will eliminate one of the contestants. This continues until one contestant remained.
/ref>
Kitchen 305 is a Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Sunny Isles Beach restaurant inside th
Newport Beachside Resort
where MTV held its ''Spring Break 2008'' party.
3OH!3
3OH!3 (pronounced "three oh three") is an American music duo from Boulder, Colorado, consisting of American vocalists Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte. They are best known for their single "Don't Trust Me", which was the lead single from their ...
performed in Panama City Beach, Florida for MTVU's ''Spring Break'' in March 2009.
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...
had performed a televised concert for MTV Spring Break in Panama City Beach, Florida in March 2009.
'' Spring Break Challenge'' aired from March 22–26, 2010 in Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco de Juárez (), commonly called Acapulco ( , ; ), is a city and major seaport in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Mexico City. Located on a deep, semicircular bay, Acapulco has been a port since the ear ...
(prior to the airing of ''The Challenge's'' 19th season), during MTV's annual spring break
Spring break is a vacation period at universities and schools that includes the Easter holiday, and takes place in early Northern Hemisphere spring. Introduced in the U.S. during the 1930s, spring break has been observed in Europe since t ...
coverage. This spin-off featured teams of college-aged friends in various challenges of old and new based on previous seasons of ''The Challenge''. The ''Spring Break Challenge'' cast was made up of original contestants from colleges across the country, as well as alumni from previous seasons of ''The Real World'', ''Road Rules'', and the '' Fresh Meat'' challenge serving as coaches.
B.o.B and Bruno Mars
Peter Gene Hernandez (born October 8, 1985), known professionally as Bruno Mars, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Regarded as a pop icon, he is known for his three-octave tenor vocal range, live performances, R ...
made their debut performance of "Nothin' on You
"Nothin' on You" is the debut single of both American rapper B.o.B and featured singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It is the lead single from the former's debut studio album, '' B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray'' (2010). It was first re ...
" at ''MTV Spring Break'', on March 26, 2010.
The 2011 edition of ''MTV Spring Break'' was filmed at the Palms Casino Resort
Palms Casino Resort is a hotel and casino located near the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It is owned and operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. It includes 703 rooms and a casino. It was originally owned by th ...
in Paradise, Nevada
Paradise is an Unincorporated towns in Nevada, unincorporated town and census-designated place (CDP) in Clark County, Nevada, United States, adjacent to the city of Las Vegas. It was formed on December 8, 1950. Its population was 191,238 at the ...
in March of that year and featured musical acts: Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. ( ; born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Rooted in West Coast hip-hop, he is widely regarded as one of t ...
, Pitbull, Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born February 16, 1982), better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco ( ), is an American rapper, record producer and Music education, music educator. Born and raised in Chicago, he gained mainstream recognition for his gue ...
, and Wiz Khalifa
Cameron Jibril Thomaz (born September 8, 1987), better known by his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and actor. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he signed with the local independent label Rostrum Records to re ...
. Pitbull, Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith (born October 18, 1979), known professionally as Ne-Yo ( ), is an American singer and songwriter. Regarded as a leading figure of Contemporary R&B#2000s, 2000s R&B music, he is the recipient of numerous accolades, includi ...
, and Nayer performed the song " Give Me Everything" at MTV's ''Spring Break 2011''.
Production and hosts
In his latter MTV years, VJ Alan Hunter became known for his remotes and road trips in such iconic and pioneering MTV programming like ''MTV Spring Break'', ''MTV's Amuck in America'' and ''MTV's Hedonism Weekend with Bon Jovi in Jamaica''.
Bruce Gillmer got his start as a Talent Coordinator for MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
in 1987, working on shows like ''Yo! MTV Raps
''Yo! MTV Raps'' is an American two-hour television music video program, which first aired on MTV Europe from 1987 to mid-1990s and on MTV, MTV US from August 1988 to August 1995. The American version of the program (created by Ted Demme and Pe ...
'', ''Headbangers Ball
''Headbangers Ball'' is a music television program that consists of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV and its global affiliates. The show began on MTV on April 18, 1987, playing heavy metal music videos from both well-known and more obsc ...
'', ''The Jon Stewart Show
''The Jon Stewart Show'' is a late night talk show that was hosted by comedian Jon Stewart. The program premiered on MTV in 1993 as a 30-minute daily offering and became one of the network's more popular shows.
Through a series of events that ...
'', and ''MTV Spring Break''.
Comedian Pauly Shore
Paul Montgomery Shore (born February 1, 1968) is an American comedian and actor. He is best known for his roles in 1990s comedy films. Shore began as a stand-up comedian at the age of 17, before becoming an MTV VJ in 1989. This led to a starring ...
's big break came as an on-air MTV VJ, a position he held from 1989 to 1994. At the height of his MTV fame, Shore had his own show, '' Totally Pauly'', serving as a host on MTV's annual Spring break parties.
Kathleen McClellan has appeared as herself as a guest host on shows such as '' Wild On E!'', ''MTV Spring Break'', and as herself as a TV personality on ''Run Away With the Rich and Famous'', ''Search Party'' and '' The X Show''.
Audra Lynn appeared in an episode of ''Viva La Bam
''Viva La Bam'' is an American reality television series that stars Bam Margera and his friends and family. The show is a spin-off from MTV's '' Jackass'', in which Margera and most of the main cast appeared. Each episode had a specific theme, ...
'' on MTV as well as being mentioned by Sum 41
Sum 41 was a Canadian rock band formed in Ajax, Ontario, in 1996. The band's final lineup consisted of Deryck Whibley (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards), Dave Baksh (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jason McCaslin (bass, backing vocals), Tom T ...
on''Total Request Live
''Total Request Live'' (commonly abbreviated as ''TRL'') is an American television program that premiered on MTV on September 14, 1998. The early version of ''TRL'' featured popular music videos played during its countdown and was also used as ...
'', and appeared on ''Spring Break MTV 2003'' .
As a host, Dan Levy has worked on four MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
shows including ''Your Face Or Mine'' and ''MTV Spring Break'', and his own talk show for College Humor: ''IHaveToGoInAMinuteShow,'' a daily comedy show directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson.
Erinn Westbrook served as one of the main hosts of ''MTV Spring Break 2010'', ''2011'' and ''2012''. April Rose Haydock hosted ''MTV Spring Break 2014'' from Cancun, Mexico alongside '' Guy Code'' castmate Andrew Schultz.
In popular culture
In a sketch from "Episode 6" of the seventh season of ''Mad TV
''Mad TV'' (stylized as ''MADtv'') is an American sketch comedy television series created by David Salzman, Fax Bahr, and Adam Small. Loosely based on the humor magazine '' Mad'', ''Mad TVs pre-taped satirical sketches were primarily parodie ...
'', Fred Durst
William Frederick Durst (born Frederick Allen Mayne III; August 20, 1970) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and director. He is the frontman and lyricist of the nu metal band Limp Bizkit, formed in 1994, with whom he has release ...
(Will Sasso
William Sasso (born May 24, 1975) is a Canadian comedian, actor, and podcaster. After a starring role as Derek Wakaluk on the Global teen drama television series '' Madison'' (1994–1998), Sasso had his breakout as a regular cast member on the ...
) hosts an episode of ''MTV Spring Break''. "Episode 13" of the tenth season of ''Mad TV'' meanwhile, featured a sketch involving Hispanic girls Lida ( Nicole Sullivan) and Melina (Debra Wilson
Debra Wilson is an American actress and comedian. She is the longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series ''Mad TV'', having appeared on the show's first eight seasons from 1995 to 2003. As a voice actress, she has voiced va ...
) as contestants on ''MTV Spring Break''.
On an episode
An episode is a narrative unit within a larger dramatic work or documentary production, such as a serial (radio and television), series intended for radio, television or Streaming media, streaming consumption.
Etymology
The noun ''episode'' is ...
of ''Drake & Josh
''Drake & Josh'' is an American teen sitcom created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon. The series follows teenage stepbrothers Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck) as they live together despite their opposite personalities. Na ...
'' titled "The Drake & Josh Inn", the show came to the titular characters' house for their spring break party.
''MTV Spring Break'' would serve as the basis for an episode of the sitcom '' The Goldbergs'' from its fifth season also called "MTV Spring Break".
The first episode of How To with John Wilson
''How To with John Wilson'' is an American television comedy docuseries created by filmmaker John Wilson. The series, executive produced by Nathan Fielder, Michael Koman and Clark Reinking, was ordered by HBO. It premiered on October 23, 2020. ...
is set largely at an MTV ''Spring Break'' event in Cancún
Cancún is the most populous city in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located in southeast Mexico on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is a significant tourist destination in Mexico and the seat of the municipality of Benito J ...
.
See also
*
References
External links
* (1995)
* (1996)
* (2001)
* (2005)
* (2008)
* (2000)
{{MTVNetwork Shows
1986 American television series debuts
2014 American television series endings
2019 American television series debuts
1980s American music television series
1990s American music television series
2000s American music television series
2010s American music television series
Spring Break
Spring break is a vacation period at universities and schools that includes the Easter holiday, and takes place in early Northern Hemisphere spring. Introduced in the U.S. during the 1930s, spring break has been observed in Europe since t ...
American English-language television shows
American television series revived after cancellation