Just when you thought Obama inspired music couldn’t stoop any lower than Ashford and Simpson reworking their classic to go Solid as Barack, Bruce Springsteen, voice of a the working class writes the worst song of his career, the overtly sappy Working on a Dream in honor of the man who would be president. Here is a guy that once sang, “Wherever somebody's strugglin’ to be free, look in their eyes Mom you'll see me,” and now he palling around with the machine instead of raging against it.
At least I thought Working on a Dream was the worst song Springsteen ever record, and then I listen to the whole album of the same name and found Queen of the Supermarket which is as cheesy as the title of the song would suggest and sounds like The Boss was trying to make a more serious verion of Lunchlady Land. And the explicitly cheery tone of the title track overspills into My Lucky Day (which is almost saved by a Clarence Clemmons sax solo) This Life, Tomorrow Never Knows, and Surprise, Surprise.
Thankfully it isn’t all happy, happy, joy, joy on Working on a Dream. The eight minute opener Outlaw Pete manages to merge the folk of The Ghost of Tom Joad with the arena rock of Born to Run effortlessly. The result is an opus about a baby already with a rap sheet whose life intertwines among mustangs (of the horse variety), Irish bounty hunters and young Navajo girls. Many artists have written this type of song before, even Bruce, but it still sounds fresh here in 2009. Good Eye, with its harmonica and scratchy vocals also has that down home feel to it and these songs may have made for a better template for a full album.
Springsteen has noted of 2007 album Magic that this was the first time he wanted to continue writing which was what spawned Working on a Dream. The result was his most scattershot album of his sixteen studio records. Even though it resulted in one of his best work in Outlaw Pete, the rest of the album just playes like and B-side or outtake compilation rather than a proper Springsteen disk. Hopefully for the next album, Bruce tears everything down and starts anew because it worked well on the previous fourteen times.
If I were to create the best television shows of the 00’s, Ed would be in the discussion for the top ten. So I have an affinity for Tom Cavanagh and other former Stuckyville residents that get me to watch Big Love, Love Monkey, and not complain about Lost whenever Jack’s wife shows up. Granted I still have yet brought myself to buy a Mac. With that said, if I were to make that list, Will & Grace wouldn’t make it unless I were to extend it to triple digits.
There in lies the selling point to the new TNT series Trust Me which relies on how well the two leads, Cavanagh and Eric McCormack plays off of each other as the show is a buddy tale of two ad men, not of the mad variety, and how the react when one (McCormack) gets promoted but his partner (Cavanagh) now has to work under him. It is hard to tell how they jell from their first couple scenes, but if there are anyone whom you want to play your best bud, these two would be near the top of anyone’s list.
Also along for the ride is Monica Potter who just have the worst agent or worst luck in Hollywood because after breaking through in Patch Adams she has yet to land a quality role since. She had to slum it as a love interest for Freddy Prinze Jr. for goodness sake. But she can rest in the solace that she had a great song written about her in the eight minute long Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby.
That luck could change with Trust Me as she stars as someone who has a pretty bad first day on the job, not that she doesn’t deserve some of the crap coming to her. To put her character in perspective, she pretentious enough to go with the hyphen when getting married but too self conscious not to drop his name when she gets divorced. And this isn’t the first time she has met McCormack that doesn’t get explored much except maybe a throw away line about an alley.
Also showing up is everyone’s boss Griffin Dunn (40 Days and 40 Nights), although his boss only gets screen time with her hand. McCormack’s wife gets about as much screen time as we only get a fleeting glimpse of Sarah Clarke (24). Providing the comic relief are the two copy boys at the bottom of the totem pole, Geoffrey Arend (Greek’s Egyptian Joe) and Mike Damus (Teen Angel).
Trust Me airs Mondays at 10:00 on TNT. You can also download Trust Me on iTunes or on Amazon Video on Demand (see below):
By law I am not allowed to tell you Detective Sanchez’s fate or Brenda’s response to Fritz’s ultimatum on The Closer, but I am allowed to say (I think) that it won’t take long to find out the answer to either. Without the ability to talk about the personal aspect (aside from that someone besides Sanchez may also be making their way to the emergency room), the case of the week is really all I can speak of.
The fourth season closes with five straight episodes starting tomorrow (followed by the series of Trust Me, also check back tomorrow for more on that) with a whimper. Or at least that is what the crew thinks as they investigate a suicide that turns out to be more than they originally thought. And the fact that the case takes them to a church located in a roller rink which is incidentally considering Fritz’s ultimatum.
Other cases Brenda and the boys tackle over the next couple weeks include a death of an obese man who is left in the trunk of a car, a possible homicide that may have been revealed though text messages, and a murder at an escort agency. And on February 9th Lucky/Tim Foyle pops up as the subject in a murder case but it is his sleazy lawyer played by Billy Burke (Bobby’s brother on My Boys) that is causing all the problems for Brenda.
Also showing up sometime is Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy) as Fritz’s sister and resident physic who thinks she can help Brenda with one of her cases. The Closer airs Mondays at 9:00 on TNT. You can also download The Closer on iTunes or through Amazon Video on Demand (see below):
Quote of the Week: I’m merely exercising my 1st Amendment right. And the 1st Amendment states very clearly you can rip anything off as long as you change it slightly. (Leslie Poole - 10 Items or Less)
Big News of the Week: Veronica Mars: The Movie: Apparently Rob Thomas took my advise to finish off the Veronica Mars movie script right after the amount of Cupid episodes got slashed and now has Joel Silver and Kristen Bell attached as producer and star. One thing that wasn’t announced this week was the most important thing needed when making a movie: a studio. So color me cautiously optimistic until someone puts up some money to get the movie made.
Coalition Links of the Week: Buzz wrapped up her stay at TCA by offering up some awards for the best, worst, and most awkward moments from her time in LA. (BuzzSugar)
Sandie thinks Legend of the Seeker is the Best Show You're Not Watching. (Daemon's TV)
Vance shows some love for Privileged and Lost. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace took an early look at the third episode of Season Five of Lost (Jughead) and hinted at some surprising twists to come! (Televisionary)
In this week's Gossip Girl recap, Sara draws some comparisons to Saved By The Bell and 90210. (TiFaux)
This week, the TV Addict revealed why we digg Jimmy Fallon. (The TV Addict)
Tool Academy: Yeah, this show is totally staged. I’m supposed to believe that the couple that has never been intimate just so happen to win the conjugal visit reward. And I am beginning to think this is a Joe Schmo (remember the show starring Kristen Wiig) situation where the cast are paid actors but us, the audience, are the Schmos. The only thing from me thinking it is completely scripted is these stupid women; all saying the show is their last chance, choose to stay with their Tools after being voted out. I may have to put the Over/Under at 1 of chicks that actually dump their Tool on the show. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
The Big Bang Theory: It may not be a good sign that I was mentally editing Sheldon’s flow chart before Howard did. I may have to stop watching this show, not for quality reasons, but to keep me from getting any more ideas. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
How I Met Your Mother: This show is at its worst when they think they are clever and this is the worst case to date with their time shifting. With that said, I must admit the word, “We should buy a bar” have crossed my lips before. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.
Gary Unmarried: How can you have a discussion about not legally mentioning the attractiveness of a fifteen year old and not make a Chris Hanson reference? I was sitting there all episodes waiting for one and it never came. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.
Friday Night Lights: Nothing made me laugh harder this week is when Riggins stood up when Lyla arrived without his pants on. I laugh because I am the same way about getting out of good clothes as fast as possible, sometimes starting when I am in my car. And for any fan of the show, you really need to check out The B.S. Report with Bill Simmons who recently interviewed show creator Peter Berg for about an hour where you learn such gems like who Berg wanted to be the coach over Kyle Chandler and which Survivor he once dated. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.
Video of the Week: For your entertainment (or at the very least mine) the greatest Jeopardy question answer ever in the history of the world:
Next Week Pick of the Week: Super Bowl XLIII, Sunday (2/1)at 7:00 on NBC: For the second straight year, one of my least favorite teams is a heavy favorite. Hopefully for the second straight year the underdog comes out on top. And if it turns out to be a blow out, there’s always a new episode of Tool Academy at 10:00 and even a commercial in 3-D this year. Hold onto those glasses because the next day, Chuck is back with an episode in 3-D. Now I just need to hunt down some glasses because the Token Hot Chick in an extra dimension is something that should not be missed.
I never liked the name Cleaning Out My Inbox so I have tweaked its name. What remains the same is that a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Dangerous Encounters, Air Force One, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Battlestar Galactica, Scream, Late Show and Saving Grace.
- A big weekend over at the National Geographic Channel starting tomorrow, Saturday, with the final episode of Dangerous Encounters in this recent batch. And it goes out with a bang as Brady Barr goes back to cave where he was bitten last year. Will he be able to accomplish what be set out to do before getting bit in finding a twenty foot snake? Hint, look at the picture below and also check out a promo for the show:
- Then on Sunday at 8:00, you can get to know Air Force One just as President Obama gets his first peak of the presidential aircraft himself. That is directly followed by a special on Marine One, the presidential helicopter fleet. Head over to the official site for photos, videos, an interactive feature and even download a paper model of Air Force One.
- Also this weekend, on TNT and TBS, is the Screen Actors Guild (which has one of the worst acronyms ever). This year Forrest Whitaker will present the 45th Life Achievement Award to James Earl Jones. For more information on the show and the complete rundown of the nominations, head over to sagawards.org.
- Here’s a treat to all you Battlestar Galactica fans, here is a code to the Sci-Fi Channel Store (click on the link, then click on the store tab once you are there) where you can get 10% off any BSG items in the store (excluding QMx and Cylon items). Just enter BSGFAN in the coupon entry code place at checkout. The code expires April 15.
- Yesterday Whoopi Goldberg laughed a new video on demand series Scream launching on FEARnet’s website. The series will span six episodes and you can head over there now to watch the first episode or watch the trailer below to see if it’s for you:
- As you may have heard, in the run up to him taking over Late Night, Jimmy Fallon has to taken to the internet to get his feet wet. His latest interview is with Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht of Diggnation to discuss the interwebs. Check it out on his website.
- Saving Grace returns to TNT March 2nd with guest star Christina Ricci. Be sure to mark your calendars.
It is apropos that Lost would launch a new season the day after Barack Obama was sworn in because fans of both are very similar in they rely a lot on hope. Hope that the most inexperience president ever to take the oath of office doesn’t get overwhelmed. While fans of Lost hope not to be underwhelmed when the show wraps it up after six seasons next year. Being a man of science, as opposed to faith, I am cautious of both actually happening while hoping they don’t.
The new season started like every season before it, with an ambiguous person starting their day listening to old music. This turns out to be the informational dude before he loses a limb which we don’t find out why that happened. But luckily Faraday makes it back in time so maybe we will learn more about the Dharma Intuitive. I really have disliked the whole time travel aspect, but if it is a devise to tie up some lose ends surrounding some back-story like Rousseau, the Black Rock, the four-toed statue, I will get over that (although I’m sure they will sooner reveal who Adam and Eve from the caves are then everything else).
Unless of course the time travel somehow brings Locke back to life despite Faraday insisting that nothing can be changed by going back in time, breaking from the main time travel rules that I learned from Back to the Future. I fear this might happen because Faraday implied that Desmond is the one person, for whatever reason, that can change history. And if the old chick turns out to be the anti-Desmond I will be equally upset.
As interesting as the first half of the premiere was, the second half was equally as boring as it turned out just to be a devise to put up major obstacles in Ben’s way to get everyone back to the island, most time consuming being Hurley’s path to jail (holy Ana Lucia sighting! Breaking my prediction of the writers forgetting that Shannon, Boone, Nicki, Paulo and the Tailies ever existed). The only redeemable parts of the second half were Hurley’s coming clean to his mom and the red shirt getting shot with a flaming arrow.
I really hope that it doesn’t take the whole fifth season to finally get everyone back to the island and they drag out the seventy minutes the old chick mention over the course of the twenty episodes (or whatever this season number is). That is what drug down season four from me, sitting and waiting for the Oceanic 6 to get off the island, not know when it was going to happen, just know that it was at some point. And if there is something Lost excels at is waiting to the point no one cares about the reveal, then waiting another season to finally reveal it. So at this point I have lost hope. But I do hope I’m wrong.
You can stream current episodes of Lost over at ABC.com. You can also download Lost on iTunes or head over to Amazon's Lost Store to pick up the previous season DVD's.
This is a somber music preview, no not because of a lack of music (well fairly abundant compared to previous first quarters) but this will be the first music preview with out the obligatory “maybe this is the season when we actually get Chinese Democracy” on account that it came out last November to surprisingly little fanfare. At least we still have Detox to wait for. But here are the albums that you may expect to be released while you are waiting for the weather to turn warm, many of which will be reviewed on the 9th Green. You can pre-order the album through Amazon (where available) or download currently available music by clicking on the artist name. (Release dates subject to change)
You may also expect albums something new by Beastie Boys, Green Day, Eminem, Jay-Z, Gorillaz, Big Boi, and at least one of the three albums Prince promises in 2009 by Spring. If there is anything I left off, feel free to let me know in the comments.
A couple weeks ago one of the major record labels pulled all their videos off YouTube, but I still go there first when looking for new ones intuitively. When I searched for the new Jason Mraz video I found one with a new notice: “This video contains an audio track that has not been authorized by all copyright holders. The audio has been disabled.” So you basically are watching the music with the mute button on because YouTube won’t pull the video but has to strip the audio to avoid copy write infringement. I love getting caught in the middle of uber rich entities fighting with other uber rich entities over pennies.
Yet another reason why Q-Tip landed in at number two of the Best Albums of 2008 list. I can’t imagine anyone who couldn’t get behind this bass line. If you haven’t checked out The Renaissance yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up.
Sounds very much like Maybe which may be my favorite N.E.R.D. song. Get it? I guess that is why I never went into stand up. And what is up with the gratuitous Zune product placement.
And the very first headscratchingly absurd video of 2009 goes to Canadian artist Lights. Still I watched it about ten times when I first came across it.
Big News of the Week: Class of 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Announced: Run-DMC, Metallica, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck (who gets in for the second time, the first as a member of the Yardbirds seventeen years ago), and Little Anthony and the Imperials all get in this year. This year’s ceremony should be extra special for Womack because for the first time in twelve years, the induction will actually be held in his hometown of Cleveland where the Hall is located. Of course I am within driving distance to the ceremony so if anyone has an extra ticket or press pass, shout me a holla. I have the date cleared on my calendar.
Also going in this year are Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson who is being inducted as an early influence as well as three sidemen: Elvis Presley’s bassist Bill Black and his drummer D.J. Fontana, as well as Dewey Lyndon “Spooner” Oldham, who has played piano with everyone from Neil Young to Aretha Franklin to the Drive-By Truckers.
Coalition Links of the Week: From the Gossip Girl spinoff to Chuck's dad to the rise of Adrianna on 90210, Buzz scooped up some news at the TCA press tour. (BuzzSugar)
Sandie watched for the first time and fell in love with The Biggest Loser. (Daemon's TV)
Despite some flaws and some overly Diablo Cody-speak, Vance really enjoyed Toni Collette's new show The United States of Tara and can attest that the episodes get better from there. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace posted an advance review of Season Three of Skins and interviewed series co-creator Jamie Brittain. (Televisionary)
Marisa had long since given up on The Real World, too, but the show's new setting of Brooklyn lured her back. This week she compares the MTV BK with the real thing. (TiFaux)
Heather got to sit on a darkened screening room and watch the first two episodes of the fifth season of Lost and mighty fine she says they were, too... (TV Spy)
Confessions of a Teen Idol: Sadly Time Warner still hasn’t dumped VH1 so I was stuck watching the second episode (but that wasn’t the worst, check the next item for that). I am just glad that the guy whose name I can’t remember called out the stylist for wearing that hideous green shirt. And how does having Marilyn Manson and P!nk on your résumé make you a credible stylist? You can also download Confessions of a Teen Idol on iTunes.
Tool Academy: Just when you think no one could limbo under the bar Ryan Seacrest set with Momma’s Boys, somehow VH1 slithers under that bar for the lowest reality show of the year. With that said, I enjoyed every minute of it. And they couldn’t have done better job casting the Tools. The fashion show where the Tools thought they were competing for Mr. Awesome was the highest of high comedy. The only drawback, much like the Charm School series, is the show is completely rigged where the more interesting people get to stay even if they are much bigger Tools. There is no reason the chair throwing Tool should not have gotten booted for that. As for a prediction, I may have to go with Matsuflex because he seems to be only one that is self aware that he is a humongous Tool. And his girlfriend is definitely the hottest out of all of them. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
The Big Bang Theory: Yeah, that was enough Walowitz-centric episode for, like ever. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
How I Met Your Mother: Is it really that hard to think of stuffing the magazine in your pocket like I always do? Of course the only problem I run into is a bathroom in the break room and I tend to come out to a dull house that all wonder what I was doing for half an hour. But when you have yet to read about Obama getting elected, you have to get some extra reading in sometime. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Leverage: Is it every episode where someone says, “This isn’t a typical job we do.” It is only six episodes in, they don’t have a typical job yet, let alone one ever week. Still an enjoyable episode. And they lucked out with next week’s ripped from the headlines story even though the episode was filmed months ago as the gang gets on a plane that may have to make an emergency landing complete with Sheldon’s last girlfriend, Sara Rue, as someone who isn’t very good a flying. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.
Gary Unmarried: There was really nothing more predictable that the art teacher to actually turn out to be hot because she really had a Rachel Lee Cooke in She’s All That quality to her where you’d still hook up with the ugly version. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube.
Free Download of the Week: The Fear - Lily Allen (iHeartMusic.com): It is a little cumbersome to get: you have to give them your e-mail to which they will send a link to for you to download; but it is a great song and in MP3 format so it is worth the extra minute out of your day to get.
Deal of the Week: Buy Two ABC Family DVDs and Save $10 Buy any two of these ABC Family DVD’s: Greek Chapter Two, Kyle XY Season Two, or The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and save $10 on your total purchase.
Video (Game) of the Week: Instead of the usual video this week, here is a game you can play. Based on last night's episode of The Office, The Duel, where you can choose to play as either Dwight or Andy, choose various weapons of attack and defense, and see what the outcome is! There are tons of scenarios so be sure to try them all!
Next Week Pick of the Week: Lost, Wednesday at 9:00 on ABC: I always find the fandom around Lost puzzling, its like people latch onto things they don’t understand in the hopes to not look dumb or out of the loop. I personally resigned myself not to be hugely let down by the inevitable end that I stopped really caring somewhere during third season and just went along for the mind numbing plots: mental time travel, sure, moveable islands, why not, frozen donkey wheels, why not. I’m not sure what is in store from the penultimate season (see what you learn by watching Gary Unmarried), but I’m sure it will result with a bunch of fanfare by people that have no clue what is going on but want people to think they do. And if you cannot get enough Lost, tune in at 8:00 that night for a recap hour where they will most likely forget Shannon, Boone, Nikki, Paulo and the Tailies ever existed.
![Terror Alert Level: Elevated [YELLOW]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-iVFV0hXCTSYP16K_V0Rrxp3GqFrtBIJKeTUyQ2LpxZQ9XKHFj6QGtqqa7oxhLadLV8vUj8R84AftD8IKUSfN0u_u0CYDtJwhrpCPN2DBWquAIDv0jbVlhZL0mDFKlPKluGyxw/s400/small_elevated.png)
on my Terror Alert Scale.
, Love Monkey, and not complain about 
she has yet to land a quality role since. She had to slum it as a love interest for 
for goodness sake. But she can rest in the solace that she had a great song written about her in the eight minute long 
), although his boss only gets screen time with her hand. McCormack’s wife gets about as much screen time as we only get a fleeting glimpse of Sarah Clarke (
) that is causing all the problems for Brenda.
) as Fritz’s sister and resident physic who thinks she can help Brenda with one of her cases. The Closer airs Mondays at 9:00 on TNT. You can also download 
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