This weekend sees the sad end (or, according to MTV, “hiatus”) of Total Request Live, the video countdown/interview show that was the centerpiece of the network’s programming during the late-’90s pop boom period. Rock Daily will be live-blogging the finale this Sunday, but for now we take some time to walk down memory lane. Every afternoon, Carson Daly would preside over a list of clips chosen by viewers, but the real draw was Daly’s distinct interviewing style. He has since refined it a bit for his late night show, but the TRL years were fantastically awkward and weird. Above is a notorious phone call from Mariah Carey to Daly live on the show where she sings to her own hit “Heartbreaker” (poorly). But the real excellence is after the jump. Below is the first in-studio appearance from the Backstreet Boys, who were the sort of group upon which TRL built its empire. It’s a great microcosm of how strangely free-form the show was and how they really took advantage of the live setting — it’s hard to believe it now, but TRL was the biggest draw in Times Square for a long time. Also, what’s up with Nick Carter’s hair?

Finally, we leave you with what we believe is the definitive TRL video: Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady.” It’s got everything, including a reference to Daly himself. Enjoy the flashback, and be sure to tune in to Rock Daily Sunday night for the Total Finale Live blog.

Related Stories:

• Paramore Win Top Prize at mtvU’s Woodie Awards

• Timberlake, Snoop, Kid Rock Added to TRL Finale

• MTV Bringing Back Carson Daly For TRL Finale