Get that faggot off my channel Number 1

In this the first of three excerpts Steve talks about the time he came close to being fired by MTV.


Free Your Mind: During my first year at MTV I worked closely with an old friend and producer, Lindsay, who convinced me on a number of occasions to put my life on the line for television. We were filming a report on the Japanese Karaoke wave that had taken over every provincial bar and pub in Britain during the late eighties. Most people involved in this craze took Karaoke very seriously, too seriously. Lindsay and I thought it was time to inject some humour into the proceedings. They were filming at a north London pub at the time. The audience and other participants were aware of their intentions and were making sure that Lindsay and I were feeling uncomfortable. I pretended to be genuinely interested and appreciative of the all round lack of talent on stage that evening. The songs they were crucifying ranged from Sinatra, through Elvis, McCartney and even to a house stopping rendition of Barry Manilow.

Backstage the film crew, Lindsay and myself were getting nervous. I realized that I had bitten off more than I could chew on this occasion and that as soon as I appeared on stage dressed as Gary Glitter singing Madonna’s like a virgin our game would be over. When I finally hit the stage I managed to get through the first few verses of the song without hitting one note correctly.

There was an immediate riot, not because the crowd had witnessed the first performance of a new and major talent but from the realisation that this was one almighty piss-take. Lindsay and I made a quick exit. Once we got back to MTV the feature was edited and just before it was due to be shown it was pulled. The events of the previous night had hit the rumour machine and the big boss was asking to see the tape.

No-one else has seen it since.