We caught up with the judges during the final moments before the Top Pop finale taping, and Brian Friedman was out for blood! With America’s expectations set high, he was well aware that it would be an intense night at the judges’ table. None of them felt the need to hold anything back, and they didn’t. Tune in tonight to see for yourself, or just watch the exclusive video below to get an idea…

A TPG winner will be crowned tomorrow night — and the groups were feeling the pressure earlier this week. Soooo, Ju-Taun and Las Caprice started a friendlier competition to calm their nerves. Watch while these groups go head to head in their own Top Pop cook-off.

The freaks came out for last night’s taping of MTV’s Top Pop Group finale. And those freaks just happened to be the judges. Above, Brian Friedman rocked a shiny top hat; below, Taboo repped his new line of sneaks:

Tune in tomorrow night at 10pm to see the hot red number Michelle Williams was wearing!

Long rehearsals got the best of S1’s Shay Dot this morning — here he is dozing while two of the Jazmin sisters pose for the shot.

With the Top Pop competition coming to an early close, all of the groups are completely immersed in perfecting their performances for Thursday night. Talita of Las Caprice put it this way, “We haven’t gotten a lot of sleep, but we just keep going. The clock is counting down and we want to show it all. We’re in it to win it!”

So, who do YOU think will win it all, including bragging rights?

Singer/songwriter Keri Hilson stopped by the Top Pop studios yesterday to share her expertise and incredible vocal talent with the remaining groups in the competition. “Her voice is so amazing, and she’s totally got a sick ear!” Jazmin’s Daria Kong said about Keri.

Hilson, who is finishing up her debut solo album with Timbaland, took extra time with each group to offer the up-and-comers some real world advice about making it big…

Beyonce’s father and manager, Mathew Knowles, has seen a number of truly stellar pop acts emerge over the last decade. We got a chance during last week’s Top Pop taping to ask him what he thought of our contenders. Check out his valuable advice to them below…

Thursday marks the finale of Top Pop, and the tracks these groups were given to master are hotter than ever! Here’s what they’ve got in store for you:

Jazmin: “Say It Right” by Nelly Furtado
S1: “Dangerous” by Kardinall Official
Mosaic: “Kiss Kiss” by Chris Brown
Las Caprice: “No One” by Alicia Keys
NJ5ive: “When You Look Me In The Eyes” by the Jonas Brothers
Ju-Taun: “Leavin” by Jesse McCartney

Tune in to see how your favorite group performs in the sizzling finale this Thursday, October 2 at 10pm ET!

Change of plans, people. MTV just announced it’s moving the TPG series finale to October 2, 2008, 10pm ET. Tune in Thursday night to see who will be crowned MTV’s Top Pop Group, and tell us now: Who will YOU be rooting for?

Having scoured America for the best talent, the Top Pop judges are looking for more than just a good first impression. Below, listen to their thoughts on the voting outcomes thus far…