24 Hours of Foo
Foo Fighters hosted a 24-hour live special on MTV2.
In June 2005, MTV2 handed over its programming for a full day to the Foo Fighters. The band—Dave Grohl, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, and Taylor Hawkins—took control of the channel starting at noon Eastern on Saturday, June 11, curating music videos and live segments through the next day. The concept mirrored an earlier, attempted special from 2002 called *24 Hours of Love*, hosted by Courtney Love.
According to MTV Networks’ original press release, the Foo Fighters were given free rein to program and direct the channel however they wished, with promises of special guests, live performances, and activities only the band could dream up. The release mentioned possibilities like an impromptu wedding, a celebrity ping-pong tournament, or simply following the band as they roamed Times Square—all captured live. Dave Grohl told IGN Music, “24 hours of Foo? Live on MTV2? It's gonna be awesome. The Foo is expecting you!”
The broadcast’s centerpiece was a one-hour, full-band live performance at midnight. Earlier that evening, the Foo Fighters also played a 30-minute acoustic *Unplugged* set. A live edition of *Headbangers Ball* aired that night, with Grohl hosting and interviewing special guests the SuicideGirls.
Other events included a drum circle in Times Square featuring Stewart Copeland, science experiments with Cockeyed.com’s Rob Cockerham, an on-air wedding, a trivia game with comedian David Cross, and appearances by MTV News reporter Gideon Yago, comedian Janeane Garofalo, *Saturday Night Live*’s Amy Poehler and Fred Armisen, and Robert Smigel as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. MTV2 VJ Jim Shearer served as master of ceremonies, launching the broadcast and staying with the band for the entire 24 hours.
While some viewers noted the limited variety of music played, others felt the special proved MTV2 could still produce an unusually spectacular live event. No other large-scale live broadcast aired on MTV2 until 2007, when *Human Giant 24* took the same slot.
- Field
- Television special
- Network
- MTV2
- Host
- Foo Fighters
- Air date
- June 11–12, 2005
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Known for
- Live 24-hour takeover of MTV2 by the band
Lore & Background
The original press release from MTV Networks stated, 'Together, the band will not only host MTV2, but also program and direct the channel in any way that they please with special guests, live performances, and a roster of activities that only the Foo Fighters could dream up.' The release went on to claim, 'Whether it is an impromptu wedding, a celebrity ping pong tournament, or simply following the guys as they venture into Times Square, MTV2 cameras will capture every moment live.' IGN Music reported Dave Grohl as saying, '24 hours of Foo? Live on MTV2? It's gonna be awesome. The Foo is expecting you!'
Reader's Guide
The highlight of the broadcast was a one-hour, full-band live performance from the Foo Fighters, which took place at midnight. Earlier that evening, the Foo Fighters played a 30-minute acoustic Unplugged performance. A live episode of Headbangers Ball was also part of the broadcast that night, hosted by Dave Grohl as he interviewed special guests SuicideGirls. The 24-hour live broadcast also included other special events, including a drum circle in Times Square (which also featured Stewart Copeland), science experiments with Cockeyed.com's Rob Cockerham, an on-air wedding, a trivia game featuring comedian David Cross, and other appearances from MTV personalities and friends, including MTV News reporter Gideon Yago, comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo, Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler and Fred Armisen, and comedian Robert Smigel as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. MTV2 VJ Jim Shearer was master of ceremonies for the event, launching the broadcast and staying with the Foo Fighters throughout all 24 hours until the end of the show. While some viewers noted that there was not a wide selection of music played during the broadcast, others believed that 24 Hours of Foo demonstrated MTV2 could still put together and air an unusually spectacular live special. Since 24 Hours of Foo, there were no other large-scale live broadcasts on MTV2 until 2007 when Human Giant 24 Aired on MTV2.
Did You Know?
- A live episode of Headbangers Ball was hosted by Dave Grohl, who interviewed SuicideGirls.
- MTV2 VJ Jim Shearer served as master of ceremonies for the entire 24 hours.
- No other large-scale live broadcasts aired on MTV2 until Human Giant 24 in 2007.
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