| 106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live | |
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Current logo. |
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| Format | Music Video Series |
| Created by | Stephen G. Hill |
| Starring | A. J. Calloway (2000–2005) Free (2000-2005) Julissa Bermudez (2005-2006) Big Tigger (2005-2006) Terrence Jenkins (2006-Present) Rocsi Diaz (2006-Present) DJ Enuff (2003-2004) DJ Prostyle (2005-Present) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | CBS Broadcast Center, New York City, New York |
| Running time | 90/120 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BET |
| Original run | September 11, 2000 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET (7:00 PM on BET UK). Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show. It is currently the only show on the BET network that shows music videos.
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The show was originally produced in Harlem, New York, and the title is derived from the original studio location at East 106th Street and Park Avenue. Viacom's acquisition of BET prompted a change in venue to the CBS Broadcast Center at 530 West 57th Street between 10th & 11th ave, in the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan.[1]
A. J. Calloway and Marie "Free" Wright were the original hosts of the show from September 11, 2000 until July 28, 2005, when Calloway (who was tearful on that particular episode.) announced that it would be his last show, as well as for Free (who spoke via phone), as the show was either presented by Calloway or Wright. Starting with the 2005–06 season it was then presented by Julissa Bermudez and Big Tigger (of another BET series, Rap City) until the end of the 2005-2006 season, to which during that season featured celebrity guest hosts filling the place for either one or two of the hosts such as Mya and rapper Bow Wow. On July 6, 2006, Rocsi (real name Raquel Roxanne Diaz) and Terrence Jenkins ("Terrence J.") became the hosts after winning the BET New Faces contest.
Upon its premiere, the show ran for one hour (including commercials). In 2001, it was extended to 90 minutes. In 2008, the show was extended to two hours, but still reverts to 90 minutes depending on BET's scheduling for the day, particularly if a long movie is airing. The show celebrated its 2,000th episode on August 20, 2008. From July 25, 2011, to September 2, 2011, the show was extended to three hours.
The shows' 10-year anniversary special took place on October 6, 2010. Original hosts A.J. Calloway, Free, Julissa, and Big Tigger returned to the series to celebrate its decade-long tenure.
Every video that was voted onto the countdown 60 times would be retired and placed into the "106 & Park Video Hall of Fame". "You" By Lloyd ft. Lil Wayne have been retired as well as "Knock you down" by Keri Hilson ft. Ne-Yo & Kanye West. This normally occurred relatively frequently, and earned Bow Wow the permanent title of Mister 106 & Park, and the late Aaliyah the permanent title of Miss 106 & Park for having the most #1's of their respective genders.