KidduNot.com: Dec/Jan 2010 Holiday Issue: Throwback Thursday: VH1's Divas Live (The Original Run)

Some of the Throwback Thursday posts that we write deal with things that are dead and gone, and others deal with things that are alive but have a strong and notable history. Today's subject is a little bit of both. VH1 Divas Live originally began airing in 1998 and ran annually until 2004. It's technically back and will debut on VH1 on September 17th, but many beg the question: Is it really back or is the franchise, for all intended purposes, dead?

My opinion: It's dead.

Divas live used to be one of the pinnacles of female performance. If you were not in the game for at least 10 years, you were not invited, unless you were the Sugar-Honey-Iced-Tea. Let me expound on that...

You always had some serious and uncontested legends in the building, like:

Aretha Franklin, Pat Benetar, Patti Labelle, Chaka Kahn, Cher, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, Elton John, etc.

Some younger legends who were still in the game:

Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill, etc.

And then there were the up-and-coming greats who were somewhat new to the industry, but had already made a mark:

Destiny's Child, Beyoncé (as a solo artist), LeAnn Rhymes, Brandy, Jessica Simpson, LeAnn Rhymes, Jill Scott, Jewel, etc.

Any combination of these performers live in one night will provide a phenomenal experience. But what I really miss about Divas Live are the surprise collaborations, like the ones below:

Proceed with caution, because this is some s*** you will never hear on any awards show, concert, tribute, etc.

Chaka Kahn and Whitney Houston - "I'm Every Woman"