I love a diva. So when I saw that Fuse was doing a special titled Top 20 Divas earlier this evening at 6 p.m., I immediately set my DVR to record. Truly, I had no idea what I was getting into: Would this be a video countdown with commentary? A VH1-style special that features talking heads—and sometimes the divas themselves—discussing what makes these Top 20 divas so damned special? A mix of the two?
Well, come to find out, it was just literally 20 videos from divas. But, honestly, it was one of the weirdest countdowns I’ve ever seen. To start with, let’s take a look at the show’s Top 20:
20. Taylor Swift, “Love Story”
19. Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone”
18. Katy Perry, “Waking Up in Vegas”
17. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo, “Knock You Down”
16. P!nk, “Funhouse”
15. Alicia Keys, “No One”
14. Gwen Stefani, “Hollaback Girl”
13. Nelly Furtado, “Maneater”
12. Ciara featuring Chamillionaire, “Get Up”
11. Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes, “Don’t Cha”
10. Christina Aguilera, “Ain’t No Other Man”
9. Mary J. Blige, “No More Drama”
8. Fergie, “London Bridge”
7. Shakira featuring Lil’ Wayne, “Give It Up to Me”
6. Britney, “Womanizer”
5. Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance”
4. Rihanna, “Russian Roulette”
3. Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, “Four Minutes”
2. Mariah Carey, “Obsessed”
1. Beyoncé, “Irreplacable”
To me, it doesn’t seem so much Top 20 Divas as just simply 20 Divas. I mean, look at the list: Does it make sense? What exactly are the parameters? You’ve got a Beyoncé classic from 2006, coupled with the just-released video for “Bad Romance” from Lady Gaga. What gives? This is the Top of what?
I searched Fuse’s website to see if I could make some sense out of how the videos for this particular special were chosen — viewer submissions and voting, possibly? All-time favorites? A tastemaker at Fuse’s personal selections? But alas, there was no explanation — and the special itself also didn’t outline anything.
Now, I’m not honestly suggesting that any of these songs and their videos are not wonderfully diva-tastic or unfit for some sort of diva countdown. But do they really all belong on this list together in this line-up? If it is indeed an all-time divas countdown, we’re missing some rather important ladies: Cher and Whitney, to name just a couple. And, if it were indeed an all-time list, sorry, Beyoncé — I love you to death — but “Irreplacable” wouldn’t land on top.
But if it’s trying to be a contemporary-type list, too, it also fails. You’ve got some recent hits with “Bad Romance” and “Obsessed,” but then it dips into much older territory with things like Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama” (and honestly, that’s not even her most diva-ish song) and Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl.”
I suppose, however, that I should just revel in the fact that Fuse played two hours of delightful lady jams. I should just be happy with that. It made my Saturday evening, regardless of my kvetching here. If you’re interested in catching the countdown yourself, it’s on again this coming Thursday at 3 p.m.
But now I wanna know what you think: Do you agree that the list is a strange mash-up? Can you make any sense out of why these particular 20 videos were worthy of an actual countdown versus just a two-hour random playlist of videos? If you’ve got some thoughts — or want to tell me I’m totally crazy — leave your love/hate in the comments below.
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It’s a lazy list. It’s also music videos on an actual broadcast, though, so beggars can’t be choosers.
I agree, the list is random but glad to see someone is airing videos outside of 4:00 a.m.
Cher hasn’t released a song since the beginning of the decade while Whitney didn’t get a real hit off her latest album.
I guess in Whitney’s case -a hit album doesn’t count..
THIS LIST SHOULDN’T EVEN GET THE CREDIT OF BEING DISCUSSED…A DIVA IS A LEGEND, ICON, & SOMEONE WHO HAS PAYED THEIR DUES…LEAVE MARY J BLIGE (SHOULD OF BEEN #1, considering her 2006 world breaking records), ALICIA KEYS, BEYONCE, & MARIAH…BRING IN WHITNEY.
Well, that’s your definition. The dictionary says: 1. An operatic prima donna. 2. A very successful singer of nonoperatic music.
So basically, an opera singer or any other kind of (successful) singer. So they all count. Considering it was “Top divas” I agree there are plenty of people they could have had in there (Aretha, Tina Turner).
Should HAVE been, not “should OF been”. Is it really that hard?
This isn’t a good list. Lady Gaga hasn’t been around long enough to count as a ‘Diva’ like some of the other female artists. The list should be Cher, Bette, Diana Ross, Britney, Beyonce, Aretha, Tina Turner, Mariah, Madonna.
The song doesn’t matter, it is a list of divas…the Title says “Divas” not videos. As for Cher and Whitney, that list is for the 80′s or 90′s but certainly not now…or why stop there, include Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Tina Turner, etc.
I don’t know about many of those listed as qualifying for “Diva” status just yet, but Beyonce is certainly at the top of that group.
It has been my experience that Fuse’s lists are unreliable. However, I believe that punctuation would help fix this issue. The program itself is called “Top 20.” So the actual punctuation should read “Top 20: Divas” with ‘diva’ being a category.
It’s not meant to be a countdown of the top twenty divas ever.
Truly a WTF list? I hope they explain it to you soon!
I somehow saw this list before the show and didnt even bother to tivo it.
chlamydia perry , tone deaf swift , and most of the of the others blow
I watched this T.V. Special, and although I like most of these singers, I wouldn’t say all of these ladies were ‘diva’s’. I also believe a “DIVA” is someone whose has put the time in and earned her status. It seems to have become so easy these days for the younger generation to become “OVERNIGHT ” success stories, lately.And while that makes them a good singer it doesn’t make them a diva or great! I love Lady Gaga, Beyonce’, Britney etc..but, I also love Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless,Madonna etc.,and I think they would qualify better (if they have recent albums)because they have been trying so long and hard. And they ALL sing just as good (IF NOT BETTER) than some on the list.Just my personal opinion. No disrespect to any on the list intended.
THANX FOR LISTENING, POSIE
I didn’t “listen” to you, I just read what you wrote. Also, I’m sick of people putting apostrophes on plurals. It’s not “diva’s”. Sheesh!
Vh1′s Diva concert featured Jordin Sparks and Miley Cyrus (?) so count your blessings! You could prolly say Mariah qualifies, but Obsessed is one of her worst songs. Most REAL divas are over 35 and young folks today don’t really listen to them.
Well I saw this one and each of the “young divas” or so VH1 put it was paired up with long-time divas. So, the point was valid. Plus, almost every long term classic diva has done the show already in the past 10+ years so I imagine they are reaching for something new.
The word Diva has degenerated a lot. Cher is the Truly Diva and from that list the only person I can call a Diva because of her attitude is Mariah Carey, then Madonna and maybe Beyoncé but ¿Taylor Swift? ¿Kelly Clarkson?
cher is NO-1
Stupid list. Kelly should have been way higher than # 19. WTF?
The word “diva” has been rendered completely meaningless in the US. Well, I guess that’s not quite true. To us, diva means “woman who can sing.” Which barely even applies to *this* list of atrocities since it includes Ciara and The Pussycat Dolls. The day you put Fergie in the same category as someone like Kathleen Battle is the day I stop giving a *%&@ about your opinion.