React Now... and how!
Saturday was a long (16-hour) day working at React Now, MTV's benefit for Hurricane Katrina. But I think we can unequivocally say that the show was a success (even the typically anti-MTV NY Times agreed). Performance highlights included Neil Young, Fiona Apple, Pearl Jam, Alan Jackson, Audioslave, Melissa Etheridge, Trent Reznor, Common, and Allen Toussaint. Lowpoints included Motley Crue f/ Chester Bennington, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2 (particularly Bono's awkward drum solo), Kanye West, and Maroon 5. You can watch all of the performances and download certain songs here.
Our show was in stark contrast to Shelter from the Storm, the telethon that aired on the 6 major networks on Friday night, which was filled with technical glitches, shots lingering on hosts looking confused after their reads, and unnecessary eavesdropping on phone calls (can Mandy Moore say anything other than "Oh my God"?)... the lone standout was Foo Fighters' killer take on "Born on the Bayou." React Now also hopefully redeemed MTV from the post-Live 8 backlash. I'm glad I could take part in an event that turned out so well and was for such a good cause.