Ananda Lewis

Articulate, charismatic and exceptionally photogenic, Lewis wasn't content with being a pretty showpiece for MTV, and asked some tough questions of her interview subjects, turning the network's fluffy "Hot Zone" (1999) into something more worthy of its name. Among her more memorable confrontations involved the host debating the presence of scantily clad models in friend Q-Tip's video for his hit "Breathe and Stop." When R&B star Aaliyah lost her life in a 2001 plane crash, Lewis was most often called upon to host various tributes on the network, and handled the tough task of memorializing a friend with professionalism and grace. In September of 2001, "The Ananda Lewis Show" debuted in syndication. Aimed at bringing together various generations of women in heartfelt and informative discussions, the series shied away from the more exploitative talk show topics. Lewis, seeking to follow in the footsteps of talk show pioneer Oprah Winfrey, looked at her show as an opportunity to educate and unite. Time would tell whether her ambitious jump would succeed, but in the meantime, Lewis stayed on staff at MTV, where she would intermittently host special presentations.