Oh, Manchester, So Much To Answer For

VH-1 is easy to mock, and most of the time deserves any criticisms it receives. [Four words: The Surreal Life 2.] But one genre the network has always excelled in is the non-narrated documentary, and they've struck gold again with And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip Hop. As part of the lead-up to their Hip Hop Honors concert/tribute (premiering next week), this 5-hour doc mixes incredibly rare, unseen footage (such as of 1970s South Bronx block parties) with interviews with just about everyone who's been important in hip hop: Russell Simmons, DMC, DJ Kool Herc, Fab Five Freddy, Nas, Grandmaster Flash, Debbie Harry, Nelson George (who's blogging), and a true host of others. The first episode deals mostly with the prerecorded days of hip hop, while the second covers the early glory days of the '80s: Run-D.M.C., Beastie Boys, and company. And You Don't Stop feels utterly comprehensive, paying homage while still being informational and - most importantly - entertaining. New episodes are every weeknight this week at 10pm EST/PST on VH-1.