When VH1 programming chief Jeff Gaspin came up with the idea for a documentary series that would help resurrect his then flagging network, he didn't anticipate that the show would also help resurrect his musician subjects' careers. But with its addictive human-interest stories of adversity (bankruptcies, addictions, arsons!) and redemption (rehab, comebacks, band reunions!), Behind the Music has done both.
A big part of BTM's appeal is that the artists--from scandalized lip-synchers Milli Vanilli (whose story kicked off the series in August 1997) to Heart to Shania Twain--talk candidly about, well, pretty much everything. Mothers and fathers and siblings and lovers...