To discuss a new feature that will take you way back

In an attempt to overextend myself like the Saved by the Bell crew trying to mass produce Screech's Spaghetti Sauce, here's a new monthly feature, Music I Loved Friday, or MILF.
It's a look back at old-school songs of yesterdecade, remembering where I was and what I thought when the song came out. I probably hate the song now, but at the time, it was all the rage.
And what better way to start than with...

Baby One More Time! Here's the video, for those interested. I didn't embed it so you wouldn't have it unexpectedly blaring from your work computer.

Flashback:
It's January, 1999, the winter of my sophomore year of high school (commence groans by those older than me, and "dude, you're old" by those younger, like female Andy). I'm kicking back after school, watching music videos on this channel that used to play music videos, called MTV, now known as Reality World Television.* And what pops up on TRL, hosted by the affable Carson Daly?

Britney Spears? Who's this broad? Why is she so bubbly? And... wh...wha... whaaaahhh? She's grinding in high school hallways in a school girl outfit? I'm entranced! And I think she's singing about sexual relations... although 16 is a little young to be telling your boyfriend to hit you in bed.
As I stared past my ominous braces and through my thick glasses at the flickering screen, I was quite sure a superstar was before my eyes, although it would be hard for her to be better than that Destiny's Child group. I can't stop singing "No, No, No," although something bothers me about that lead singer. She looks like a real.... where was I?

Oh yeah, Britney Spears. Well, I'll give you a chance. This song is catchier than herpes at homecoming. And that pink sports bra is doing something for me, although I don't know exactly what- fortunately, I have sex ed class tomorrow, so I should find out soon.

I think good things will happen to this girl. She seems to love dancing too. Maybe she'll meet a nice boy dancer one day and have one... no, two! kids who can grow up with divorced and inebriated loving parents.

Billboard's Top Five Songs Around That Time:
1. Cher- Believe
2. TLC- No Scrubs
3. Monica- Angel of Mine
4. Whitney Houston- Heartbreak Hotel
5. Britney Spears- Baby One More Time

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What did you think when this song came out?

Thanks to those who checked out my new work blog (also on entertainment topics). Here's today's post, on Super Bowl stuff I wish would happen. Let me shamelessly ask you to add it to your reader. Your Google reader likes the gluttonous punishment. I promise to limit the mentions of the blog from now on.

To discuss two weird news items

Ridiculous news item of the day:
"Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall is the new voice for TomTom navigation devices, according to Wired. The idea is to add "some spice to the ride, allowing drivers a fun and unforgettable journey," says TomTom. On the road, Cattrall's voice will give more than the standard instructions such as "Turn left." She will say lines such as "This is the city, darling. Anything goes" or "Don’t touch my Manolos!"

Other potential things I think she'll say:
"Continue straight into the center of my legs."
"Please use a car cover while driving with me. I've TomTom'd all over this city."
"Approaching destination. Pick up speed to arrive at same time. Faster. Faster."
"Caution: Don't grind my gears."
"Sarah Jessica Parker has a weird face. Also, take a left."

I'd rather have Bea Arthur read my directions, Golden Girls style. I just saw a sweet episode last week where Rose thinks she has AIDS because of a bad blood transfusion. It's a classic. Only the Golden Girls can make AIDS funny. I would have been all for a Golden Girls movie, except for that whole dead Estelle Getty thing.

Another terrible news item. Did you know MTV's Total Request Live is going off the air next month????
Or, in other words, Music Television will stop airing its lone Music Television programming... the same show that made the station relevant in the late 90s and launched the careers of Britney Spears, NSyncs, Backstreet Boys, Blink 182, Eminem and both minutes of fame for 98 Degrees.
I know they never really showed videos, but still, it's freakin TRL.
The replacement is that crappy "FNMTV" with Ashlee Simpson's husband, who wears eye makeup.
Pop culture will die a little bit next month.