Martha Quinn
Encyclopedia
Martha Quinn is best known as one of the original video jockeys on MTV
(along with Nina Blackwood
, Mark Goodman
, Alan Hunter, and J.J. Jackson).
, the daughter of Nina Pattison, a retirement counselor, and David Quinn, an attorney. Prior to joining MTV, Quinn graduated from Ossining High School
in 1977 and NYU
in 1981.
's Weinstein Dormitory where she answered phones and gave students their toilet paper, mail, and lightbulbs. At the end of her day she decided to stop at WNBC
Music Radio, where she'd just finished up interning for her senior year.
Coincidentally, California record company executive Burt Stein was also visiting WNBC. He asked out loud if anyone knew what Bob Pittman
was doing. Pittman had been the program director of WNBC a year or so earlier, but had left to start a new venture: a cable channel called MTV
(Music Television).
WNBC assistant program director Buzz Brindle overheard Stein’s question and remembered the new venture. He turned to Quinn and suggested that she should try out for a role at the new network as a “VJ.”
Brindle called Pittman
and told him about his former intern, Martha Quinn. Pittman told him to get her to the MTV studios immediately, as it was the last day of auditions. Quinn immediately took a cab to Hell's Kitchen
for her audition.
Brindle's idea wasn't entirely without merit. Quinn had spent her NYU years doing two things: TV commercials (McDonald's
first Chicken McNuggets
girl, Country Time Lemonade, Clearasil
, Campbell's Soup) and working at WNYU
, the college radio station. Quinn would later lament that her Dad and Stepmom, financial columnist Jane Bryant Quinn
, spent good money for Martha to spin Peter, Paul, and Mary vinyl as the host of "Just Plain Folk."
Quinn walked into the studio not having any idea what MTV was all about, did a four-minute audition where she talked about Earth, Wind, and Fire, and was immediately surrounded by executives. "Who are you? Where did you come from? How old are you?" Quinn was stunned. It was a perfect job for her talents. Two days later Quinn got the news she was an MTV VJ.
Quinn joined Mark Goodman
, Nina Blackwood
, Alan Hunter and JJ Jackson as original faces and voices of MTV. Being hosts of the nation's first music television network provided them with an in-depth and up-close perspective on the most popular rock/pop music and artists of the 1980s
.
was noted by Rolling Stone
magazine readers, who voted her "MTV's Best-Ever VJ," and by Allure Magazine
, which referred to the ‘80s decade
as "the Martha Quinn years." Quinn's petite, girl next door
personality made her extremely popular among viewers.
Indeed, in a 2011 review of "I Want My MTV" by Craig Marks and Rob Tannenbaum, Dwight Garner recalled: "Every sentient straight male in the country developed a schoolboy crush on Martha Quinn, one of the first V.J.'s, fresh out of New York University and so cute she could make your cranium detonate."
In the early ‘90s
, she also hosted the MTV programs Martha's Greatest Hits, MTV Prime with Martha Quinn, and Rockline
. Critics have dubbed Quinn's departure from MTV as "the day the video music died." She was also the MTV host at Knebworth 1990
.
. In 1990
, she appeared on the short-lived Brady Bunch sequel The Bradys. Quinn played Tracy, who married Bobby Brady (played by Mike Lookinland
). She joined Ed McMahon
as a co-host for Star Search
in 1994
. She was a bi-weekly correspondent
on The Early Show
in 1999
. She also appeared in the 1988 film Tapeheads
, the 1989
film sequel Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! and had a recurring role on Full House
. She was also featured in a series of commercials for Neutrogena
in the mid-1990s.
network, hosting a one-hour weekly show from her home in Malibu called Martha Quinn Presents: Gods of the Big '80s for the Big '80s
channel. After Sirius merged with XM Radio, the channel was rebranded as The 80s on 8
, and the show was simply titled "Martha Quinn Presents". Quinn joins the other surviving original MTV VJs in hosting programs for The 80s on 8.
On the September 22, 2005 episode of Comedy Central
's new series The Showbiz Show with David Spade
, Quinn appeared as herself in mock archival footage (dating back to 1983) from her MTV
days. In two separate bumper skits, Quinn sarcastically foretold considerably bizarre behavior from stars Michael Jackson
and Sting. Subsequent episodes took shots at Whitney Houston
and Tommy Lee
.
In 2007, Quinn lent her name, face and voice to The '80s Game with Martha Quinn, a PC trivia game developed by Funkitron. The game featured multiple-choice questions about '80s culture in categories including music, politics, television, sports, movies and celebrities.
, a personal finance columnist
. In 1992, she married musician Jordan Tarlow (ex-Fuzztones
); they have two children and live in Malibu, California.
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
(along with Nina Blackwood
Nina Blackwood
Nina Blackwood is an American disc jockey and music journalist, who was the first of the original five MTV VJs. She has also been an actress and model.-Early life and career:...
, Mark Goodman
Mark Goodman
Mark Goodman is a radio DJ, TV personality, and actor. He is best known as one of the original five VJs on MTV, from 1981-1987. He was supposed to be the first of the five to be broadcast at MTV's premier on August 1, 1981...
, Alan Hunter, and J.J. Jackson).
Early life
Quinn was born in Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, the daughter of Nina Pattison, a retirement counselor, and David Quinn, an attorney. Prior to joining MTV, Quinn graduated from Ossining High School
Ossining High School
Ossining High School is public high school, located in Ossining, New York, colloquially known as OHS. Its building is located within the boundaries of the Downtown Ossining Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989....
in 1977 and NYU
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1981.
Before MTV
On July 13, 1981, Quinn was working at NYUNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
's Weinstein Dormitory where she answered phones and gave students their toilet paper, mail, and lightbulbs. At the end of her day she decided to stop at WNBC
WNBC
WNBC, virtual channel 4 , is the flagship station of the NBC television network, located in New York City. WNBC's studios are co-located with NBC corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan...
Music Radio, where she'd just finished up interning for her senior year.
Coincidentally, California record company executive Burt Stein was also visiting WNBC. He asked out loud if anyone knew what Bob Pittman
Robert W. Pittman
Robert Warren "Bob" Pittman , is an American businessman and the founder of MTV. On October 2, 2011, Pittman was named CEO of Clear Channel Media Holdings, Inc.. Pittman has also been the CEO of MTV Networks, AOL, Six Flags Theme Parks, Quantum Media, Century 21 Real Estate and Time Warner...
was doing. Pittman had been the program director of WNBC a year or so earlier, but had left to start a new venture: a cable channel called MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
(Music Television).
WNBC assistant program director Buzz Brindle overheard Stein’s question and remembered the new venture. He turned to Quinn and suggested that she should try out for a role at the new network as a “VJ.”
Brindle called Pittman
Robert W. Pittman
Robert Warren "Bob" Pittman , is an American businessman and the founder of MTV. On October 2, 2011, Pittman was named CEO of Clear Channel Media Holdings, Inc.. Pittman has also been the CEO of MTV Networks, AOL, Six Flags Theme Parks, Quantum Media, Century 21 Real Estate and Time Warner...
and told him about his former intern, Martha Quinn. Pittman told him to get her to the MTV studios immediately, as it was the last day of auditions. Quinn immediately took a cab to Hell's Kitchen
Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Hell's Kitchen, also known as Clinton and Midtown West, is a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City between 34th Street and 59th Street, from 8th Avenue to the Hudson River....
for her audition.
Brindle's idea wasn't entirely without merit. Quinn had spent her NYU years doing two things: TV commercials (McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
first Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets are a product offered by international fast-food restaurant chain McDonald's and are one of the most popular trademarked items on the McDonald's menu....
girl, Country Time Lemonade, Clearasil
Clearasil
Clearasil is the top-selling brand of skin care and acne medication, whose products contain chiefly benzoyl peroxide, sulfur & resorcinol, triclosan, or salicylic acid as active ingredients...
, Campbell's Soup) and working at WNYU
WNYU
WNYU-FM is a college radio station owned and operated by New York University. Until 2004, it served lower Manhattan and surrounding areas, but thanks to a new booster, it now broadcasts to the tri-state region. The station can be heard on 89.1 FM at 8,300 watts from 4pm until 1am on weekdays,...
, the college radio station. Quinn would later lament that her Dad and Stepmom, financial columnist Jane Bryant Quinn
Jane Bryant Quinn
Jane Bryant Quinn is an American financial journalist. She is one of the nation's leading commentators on personal finance...
, spent good money for Martha to spin Peter, Paul, and Mary vinyl as the host of "Just Plain Folk."
Quinn walked into the studio not having any idea what MTV was all about, did a four-minute audition where she talked about Earth, Wind, and Fire, and was immediately surrounded by executives. "Who are you? Where did you come from? How old are you?" Quinn was stunned. It was a perfect job for her talents. Two days later Quinn got the news she was an MTV VJ.
Quinn joined Mark Goodman
Mark Goodman
Mark Goodman is a radio DJ, TV personality, and actor. He is best known as one of the original five VJs on MTV, from 1981-1987. He was supposed to be the first of the five to be broadcast at MTV's premier on August 1, 1981...
, Nina Blackwood
Nina Blackwood
Nina Blackwood is an American disc jockey and music journalist, who was the first of the original five MTV VJs. She has also been an actress and model.-Early life and career:...
, Alan Hunter and JJ Jackson as original faces and voices of MTV. Being hosts of the nation's first music television network provided them with an in-depth and up-close perspective on the most popular rock/pop music and artists of the 1980s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
.
Popularity
Quinn's presence on MTV through 19911991 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1991-92 United States network television schedule.The year 1991 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1991.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
was noted by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine readers, who voted her "MTV's Best-Ever VJ," and by Allure Magazine
Allure (magazine)
Allure is the leading U.S. women’s beauty magazine, published monthly by Condé Nast in New York City. It was founded in 1991 by editor in chief Linda Wells, who has been at the helm of the magazine ever since. From its inception, the magazine has been widely recognized for its intelligent,...
, which referred to the ‘80s decade
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
as "the Martha Quinn years." Quinn's petite, girl next door
Girl next door
The cultural and sexual stereotype of the girl next door or the All-American girl is invoked in American contexts to indicate wholesome, unassuming femininity, as opposed to the culture's other female stereotypes such as the tomboy, the valley girl, the femme fatale, girly girl, or the slut. The...
personality made her extremely popular among viewers.
Indeed, in a 2011 review of "I Want My MTV" by Craig Marks and Rob Tannenbaum, Dwight Garner recalled: "Every sentient straight male in the country developed a schoolboy crush on Martha Quinn, one of the first V.J.'s, fresh out of New York University and so cute she could make your cranium detonate."
In the early ‘90s
1990s
File:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
, she also hosted the MTV programs Martha's Greatest Hits, MTV Prime with Martha Quinn, and Rockline
Rockline
Rockline is a nationally syndicated radio interview program hosted by Bob Coburn that broadcasts live via satellite every Monday and Wednesday night from 8:30pm-10pm PT to radio stations in the United States. Founded in 1981, it is considered to be the longest running, uninterrupted program in rock...
. Critics have dubbed Quinn's departure from MTV as "the day the video music died." She was also the MTV host at Knebworth 1990
Concerts at Knebworth House
The grounds of Knebworth House near the village of Knebworth in Hertfordshire, England has become a major venue for open air rock and pop concerts since 1974 when The Allman Brothers Band attracted 60,000 at the first large concert held at the venue....
.
Acting roles
In 1984, Quinn appeared as herself in an episode of the short-lived sitcom E/RE/R
E/R is an American television sitcom that aired in 1984 and 1985. Developed from a successful play of the same name, the series was produced by Embassy Television and lasted a single season.-Synopsis:...
. In 1990
1990 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1990-91 United States network television schedule.The year 1990 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1990.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
, she appeared on the short-lived Brady Bunch sequel The Bradys. Quinn played Tracy, who married Bobby Brady (played by Mike Lookinland
Mike Lookinland
Michael Paul "Mike" Lookinland is an American actor. He is best known for his role as the youngest brother Bobby Brady on The Brady Bunch from 1969 until 1974.-Early life:...
). She joined Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
as a co-host for Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
in 1994
1994 in television
The year 1994 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1994.For the American TV schedule, see: 1994-95 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:...
. She was a bi-weekly correspondent
Correspondent
A correspondent or on-the-scene reporter is a journalist or commentator, or more general speaking, an agent who contributes reports to a newspaper, or radio or television news, or another type of company, from a remote, often distant, location. A foreign correspondent is stationed in a foreign...
on The Early Show
The Early Show
The Early Show is an American television morning news talk show broadcast by CBS from New York City. The program airs live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones air the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. ...
in 1999
1999 in television
The year 1999 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1999.For the American TV schedule, see: 1999-00 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-Miniseries:...
. She also appeared in the 1988 film Tapeheads
Tapeheads
Tapeheads is a 1988 comedy film directed by Bill Fishman. The film stars John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Sam Moore, and Junior Walker. The movie was produced by Michael Nesmith, who is seen briefly in the film as a bottled water delivery man.-Plot:...
, the 1989
1989 in film
-Events:* Batman is released on June 23, and goes on to gross over $410 million worldwide.* Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia, for $20 million...
film sequel Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! and had a recurring role on Full House
Full House
Full House is an American sitcom television series. Set in San Francisco, the show chronicles widowed father Danny Tanner, who, after the death of his wife, enlists his best friend Joey Gladstone and his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and...
. She was also featured in a series of commercials for Neutrogena
Neutrogena
Neutrogena is an American brand of premium-priced skin care, hair care and cosmetics, that is headquartered at Los Angeles, California. According to product advertising at their website, Neutrogena products are distributed in more than 70 countries....
in the mid-1990s.
Career in the 2000s
In 2005, Quinn joined Sirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
network, hosting a one-hour weekly show from her home in Malibu called Martha Quinn Presents: Gods of the Big '80s for the Big '80s
Big '80s
Big '80s was an all 1980s music channel on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 8 and Dish Network channel 6008. It was replaced by XM's The 80s on 8 on November 12, 2008, as part of the Sirius XM Merger. It featured all four living original MTV VJs who are now on The 80s on 8 channel. Big '80s was...
channel. After Sirius merged with XM Radio, the channel was rebranded as The 80s on 8
The 80s on 8
The '80s on 8 is a commercial-free, satellite radio station on the Sirius XM Radio platform, broadcasting on XM Satellite Radio and on DirecTV channel 805. As a result of the Sirius/XM merger on November 12, 2008, the channel was merged with the Big '80s channel on Sirius 8 and Dish Network 6008,...
, and the show was simply titled "Martha Quinn Presents". Quinn joins the other surviving original MTV VJs in hosting programs for The 80s on 8.
On the September 22, 2005 episode of Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
's new series The Showbiz Show with David Spade
The Showbiz Show with David Spade
The Showbiz Show with David Spade was a weekly television program on Comedy Central that starred comedian David Spade. It is a comedic parody of celebrity news programs such as Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood...
, Quinn appeared as herself in mock archival footage (dating back to 1983) from her MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
days. In two separate bumper skits, Quinn sarcastically foretold considerably bizarre behavior from stars Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and Sting. Subsequent episodes took shots at Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
and Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee
Thomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
.
In 2007, Quinn lent her name, face and voice to The '80s Game with Martha Quinn, a PC trivia game developed by Funkitron. The game featured multiple-choice questions about '80s culture in categories including music, politics, television, sports, movies and celebrities.
Personal life
Quinn, a devout vegetarian, is the stepdaughter of Jane Bryant QuinnJane Bryant Quinn
Jane Bryant Quinn is an American financial journalist. She is one of the nation's leading commentators on personal finance...
, a personal finance columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
. In 1992, she married musician Jordan Tarlow (ex-Fuzztones
The Fuzztones
The Fuzztones are a garage rock revival band formed in 1980. Founded by singer-guitarist Rudi Protrudi The Fuzztones are a garage rock revival band formed in 1980. Founded by singer-guitarist Rudi Protrudi The Fuzztones are a garage rock revival band formed in 1980. Founded by singer-guitarist Rudi...
); they have two children and live in Malibu, California.