TRL Says Goodbye

After launching pop star careers and being regarded as a dominant part of pop culture, “TRL” was forced to call it quits after years of declining ratings.

“I feel like they’re kinda tearin’ down my home,” Eminem said via phone as he and Carson Daly, “TRL’s” first and most famous host, reminisced over the show’s good times.

The teen fan base became music’s tastemakers when the video countdown show kicked off in 1998 with a model that included a live show, an audience full of enthusiastic kids and viewer feedback.

Along with Eminem, Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, *NSNYC and Christina Aguilera are a few of the artists that have “TRL” to thank for their ascent to pop superstardom and boost in record sales.

“If it wasn’t for ‘TRL,’ I don’t think I would have this launching pad for my career,” said Kid Rock, who burst onto the scene with his hit “Bawitdaba” but has now gone the country-rock route.

Over the years, along with up-and-coming stars, legends like Madonna and Michael Jackson would drop by the show as well as actors such as Tom Cruise and Will Smith and mega-athletes like Derek Jeter.

To say goodbye, Beyonce opened “TRL”’s final show with her new singles, “If I Were A Boy” and “Single Ladies,” as well as her classic hit “Crazy in Love” for old times’ sake.

Snoop Dogg, Nelly and Ludacris joined together to rap some of their biggest hits in a hip-hop melody.

Frequent guest Diddy dropped by the final show and waved to the Times Square audience one last time from “TRL’s” glass-encased studios above.

50 Cent was there as well as Justin Timberlake and fellow ‘N Sync member JC Chasez.

“This is like a high school reunion in a way,” said Timberlake. “I feel like we all grew up together. ‘TRL’ was so integral to our careers.”

Former VJs Vanessa Minnillo, Hilarie Burton and trivia game answer Jesse Camp also made appearances to bid farewell.

During the final show, memorable moments were replayed like the Backstreet Boys breaking the news of member A.J. McLean’s drug and alcohol rehab and Mariah Carey’s bizarre ice cream striptease.

Although Spears didn’t make it to the going-away party, her now-iconic first hit, “… Baby One More Time,” emerged as the top video when “TRL” did its final countdown of all-time videos. The tune played as the credits of the show ran for the last time.

“TRL” is being replaced by a video show called “FNMTV” hosted by Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. The band performed, minus soon-to-be-dad Wentz, in Times Square.