Alan Hunter | email How did you get the gig at MTV? I was a bartender in New York, fresh off the bus from the south, scraping for acting gigs. After making peanuts as "The Spirit of the Forest" in a post-modern off-off Broadway production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, an extra in the movie Annie (check me in the usher scene!) and a dancer in the David Bowie video "Fashion" — yep the video world was calling – I got a call to audition for this experiment called "MTV." Three horrible auditions later they handed me the job and $500 to get some new friggin’ clothes. What was the best interview that you did at MTV? I’d say Bon Jovi for Spring Break in Jamaica – it was also my first Red Stripe. Mostly I liked the fruity drinks. I was "slippery when wet." Were there any interviews that didn't go well? Ozzy Osbourne. I was pumped. I prepped for days. He was true to form and under the influence of “cold medicine,” according to wife Sharon. I can’t remember what my first question was, but his answer had nothing to do with it – I don’t think he was even speaking English. What was the most memorable event you covered for MTV? I hosted an MTV documentary called “Rock in Russia,” following Billy Joel’s first concerts there. We had our boombox confiscated at the border by the KGB, who kept asking questions about our "Stereo Machine" before they wandered off with it. We never saw it again. At the concert, the audience had never seen a set-up so big – 50 foot amp stacks, and enough lights for Vegas. The Apparatchik (old fart commies) showed up and took over the first few rows, but they left once Billy started playing. Too loud. Das vedanya! Who are your favorite '80s artists? Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, and U2 for real music, Kajagoogoo and Hayze Fantayze for space-cadet names, and Stryper for fashion breakthroughs. Kidding about the Stryper part. Bumblebee spandex – who knew Christian metal could be so uncool, even for the 80s? What did you do after you left MTV? Did my time in LA before sweet Birmingham, Alabama siren-songed me home. Since escaping the smog, I’ve started a film company called Hunter Films (our film Dreamland, with John Corbett and Gina Gershon played at Sundance ‘06, baby), built an entertainment complex called WorkPlay, and co-founded a film festival called Sidewalk. I’m also the host of a new Starz Channel micro-series, Looking for Stars. Who says the big town’s where it’s at? I’M ROCKIN’ IN ‘BAMA. Tell us a good J.J. Jackson story. I remember one night, all the VJs went to a premiere party, and J.J. showed up in a full length man-fur – shocking white, no less – with sunglasses. Pimp gear aside, my man J.J. cried at the drop of a hat, and nobody laughed harder at my cartoon shenanigans. He had the biggest heart in the universe. We all miss him. Read Mark Goodman's interview Read Nina Blackwood's interview Read Martha Quinn's interview