Both hosts were joined by a rap-style disc jockey, either Spinderella (from Salt 'N Pepa), Monie Love, or Yo!
In each episode, two three-member teams, representing different U.S. colleges and universities, competed in a three-round lip-sync contest.
Three judges evaluated the teams' efforts, each focusing on a separate aspect: accuracy, body mechanics (later changed to "sass"), and overall performance.
Each team put on a lip-sync performance to a song chosen for them to rehearse and choreograph ahead of time.
The team with the higher total score after this round won the day's grand prize, usually a trip, and advanced in a season-long tournament whose winner would be featured in an MTV music video.