Jingle Ball Rock (2003) TV Special

A variety of singers come together at the Staples Center to celebrate the holidays with their music.

Jingle Ball Rock (2003) TV Special
Cast: Beyoncé Knowles, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, Simple Plan, Jennifer Lopez, J.C. Chasez, Kelly Rowland, Lance Bass, Mischa Barton, Nick Lachey, Rick Dees, Ryan Seacrest, Valentine

Miss Teen USA Pageant, The (2003) TV Special

Miss Teen USA 2003, the 21st Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Palm Springs on 12 August 2003. At the conclusion of the final competition, Miss Oregon Teen USA Tami Farrell was crowned by outgoing queen Vanessa Semrow of Wisconsin.

Prior to the live telecast, the 51 contestants competed in a preliminary presentation show where they were judged in swimsuits and evening gowns. Scores from this judging determined the top 15 for the final competition.

This was the first year that the pageant was held in Palm Springs, which would later host Miss Teen USA 2004 and Miss Teen USA 2006. The pageant location was announced on 17 July 2003.

On 23 July 2003 it was announced that Jessica Simpson and Justin Guarini would appear as musical guests during the pageant. The event was hosted by Mario Lopez and Brooke Burns.

Farrell was the third titleholder from Oregon, the only state to win more than one Miss Teen USA title, other than Tennessee (who won in 2009) and their 1997 win.

The Miss Teen USA Pageant  (2003) TV Special
Hosts: Mario Lopez, Brooke Burns

Motown 45 (2004) (TV)

By Gail Mitchell
Billboard
updated 4/6/2004 5:19:02 PM ET

LOS ANGELES  — Gladys Knight’s searing version of “Neither One of Us” and Smokey Robinson and newcomer Joss Stone’s cover of the Miracles R&B/pop classic “I Second That Emotion” are among the highlights of the upcoming ABC television special “Motown 45.”

Taped Sunday night at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, the special celebrates Motown Records’ hit-filled legacy, pairing the label’s original artists and contemporary singers with timeless Motown songs.

Co-hosted by Lionel Richie and Cedric the Entertainer, the event sported such notables as Dick Clark, the Backstreet Boys, comedian George Lopez and ’N Sync’s Joey Fatone introducing the various segments.

Though such key Motown players as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Rick James were missing, the taping still managed to serve as a mini-family reunion. Acts such as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and Thelma Houston were able to catch up with former labelmates the Four Tops, Commodores and original Supremes Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, as well as formidable backing band the Funk Brothers.

Performances taped on Sunday included Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland teaming with Wilson and Birdsong on a Supremes medley and with Richie on “Endless Love,” and Michael McDonald covering Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Nick Lachey and Jermaine Jackson dueted on “I’ll Be There” and the Funk Brothers supported “American Idol” finalist Kimberley Locke on “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” and Gerald Levert on “Do You Love Me.”

Brian McKnight and Macy Gray were on hand to celebrate Marvin Gaye, with the former performing “What’s Going On” and the latter interpreting “Let’s Get It On.” Ashford & Simpson took part in the grand finale, joining McDonald, Knight, Robinson and Stone to perform “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

“I was there from day one,” Robinson said backstage. “To be here celebrating the 45th anniversary of Motown goes beyond all our wildest dreams.” ABC plans to air “Motown 45” in May.

Motown 45 (2004) (TV)

Cast: Nick Ashford, Cindy Birdsong, Wayne Brady, Cedric the Entertainer, Dick Clark, Macy Gray, Thelma Houston, Gladys Knight, Gerald Levert, Brian McKnight, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Valerie Simpson, Mary Wilson, Joey Fatone, Joss Stone, Nick Lachey