• June 30, 2003

VH1's summer plans are anchored by two major programming events in July and August, the network said. VH1 came up with 200 of America's most compelling, outlandish, and unforgettable individuals in its first-ever "VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons," premiering on Monday, July 21st through Friday, July 25th from 10:00-12:00 (ET/PT) each night. Complemented by the illustrations of famous caricaturist Robert Risko, this 10-part inaugural "200 Greatest" will take a fun, whimsical look at people who have successfully woven themselves into the fabric of America. A special edition of VH1's popular "100 Greatest" franchise, "200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons" also features all-new interviews with Hollywood legends, sports figures, politicians and musical icons. Then, in August, beginning Monday-Friday, August 18 - 22, at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) each night, VH1 is bringing its highly successful and hilarious "I Love the '80s" approach to a more hairy, less greedy, and far groovier decade: the '70s. An outrageous 10-hour, five-night flashback, "I Love the '70s" tells the truth about the decade of disco and polyester. Celebrities and pundits weigh in on what was cool, bizarre, beautiful, puzzling and pretentious about the people, music, movies, TV shows, products, fashions, fads, trends and major events that defined pop culture during the decade. Returning this summer with an eight series pick-up is "The Fabulous Life," "VH1 Goes Inside with a six series pick-up," and more "Red Hot Red Carpet." The popular franchise "Babylon," which began with the premiere of last year's popular "Bubblegum Babylon" continues with "Hip Hop Babylon, a two-hour special that sheds light on the other side of America's dominant youth culture, revealing the downside of rhyming including lopsided contracts, dangerous duels and the crushing fleeting quality of fame, in early September. More episodes of the Babylon franchise will be coming up later this year .