1997

Soundwaves Pulled from Schedule
With no fanfare or announcement, production on Soundwaves was halted following the Christmas special due to Willis' suspension from PCT. The crime: One videotape, needed to complete a reel for the fundraiser ... taken from a locked closet without permission. The punishment: Six months' suspension and a loss of key privileges.

While technically on the wrong side of the law, Willis offered up the informtion "to be honest," and was disciplined by then-general manager Jack Shafer. "I was infuriated. I mean, we were doing a fundraiser the next day and nobody was around at two in the morning! He didn't have to be like that."

This only exascerbated the tension between Willis and Shafer.



1997 Episodes
Once Soundwaves resumed production, it came out of the gate like a charging bull. The show aired four summer episodes before shifting into a 4-week countdown hyping the new format. Once "Evolution" aired on October 15, 1997, it marked a stylistic shift from the grungier vibe that had defined the more casual episodes from 1995-96.

The overall aesthetic of pop and hip-hop music videos had shifted to a more colorful, glamourous style, so the order of the day became to dress sharp and embrace a looser delivery style. "Return of the Mack" marked the return of Joe McCaffrey after a 9-month absence. "Evolution" introduced new host Juli Tolleson.