There's a Fire Starting in my Heart

Adele has the kind of voice that all her contemporaries on the pop chart would kill for and couldn’t come close to with all the auto-tune in the world. But let’s face it; her debut album was a bit of a bore. The music she was singing over was so bland it might as well have been Musak. And so when the first single off her sophomore outing, Rolling in the Deep was released it instantly became her best song. The voice remained unmistakable, but production went to another level thanks to Paul Epworth (Florence + The Machine) with opening strumming of a guitar which adding a driving bass drum a couple lines later and turning into a full on foot stomping clap along by the bridge. Even her phrasing gets betters, when she says, “Don’t underestimate the things that I will do” you can’t help but believe her while chills go up your spine.

And that sophomore album 21 (she is keeping with the age of when she recorded the record theme from 19) continues the promise of Rolling in the Deep. After the album kicks off with the first single, it goes straight into Rumor Has It which could have been the most haunting song from the girl group era of the sixties. Then out of nowhere the song slows down for a even more haunting piano accompanying part before picking right back up again.

Aside from Rolling in the Deep, Epworth helped write two of the best songs on the album. I’ll Be Waiting opens with an Elton John flair on piano before being joined by some horns and is easily the most fun you will have listening to Adele and listening to the song makes you wonder why she doesn’t go up tempo more often. He Won’t Go starts off with the beat and piano riff from The Roots version of Dear God before morphing into a soft rock R&B song from the eighties without managing to sound cheesy.

Rick Rubin, who produced four of the tracks, goes for the less is more approach he took when guiding Johnny Cash’s American records. Don’t You Remember and One and Only are the songs on the new albums most reminiscent of her previous album. And where Rubin made an art of picking cover songs for Cash, having Adele cover Love Song by The Cure with an acoustic bossa nove twinge just doesn’t reach the highs she had when she reworked To Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan on her last album which is the only advance 19 has over 21.

Song to Download – I'll Be Waiting

21 gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Previewing Blue-Collar Dogs

George Washington owned a dog, ten in all, Abraham Lincoln owned two of them himself. In fact the seventeen last presidents had a four legged friend to keep him company all the way up to Bo who currently resides in the White Dog House. But tonight on Nat Geo Wild, the channel will premiere a show that highlights dogs that go even further than being the best friend of the Leader of the Free World.

Blue-Collar Dogs follows dogs are more than man’s best friend but help their owners do some tough jobs. And tonight starting at 8:00 Nat Geo Wild will air three straight episodes starting with Canine MD. Sure we are all familiar with Seeing Eye dogs for the blind, but some do even more than guide their owners. Watching a dog open the refrigerator , grab a Sprite, give it to his owner with a degenerative muscle disease, then close the door is a sight to be seen. And the medical field is also putting a dog’s nose to good use by having them sniff out cancer and one dog that helps her owner by predicting her blood sugar crashes.

At 9:00 is Border Hounds which views like the best dog segments from Border Wars on its sister station but goes deeper into the training that goes on to making a drug sniffing dog. And the “Don’t Touch My Junk” guy may want to skip this episode because one of the dogs smells something a suspect’s crotch area as we get to see an agent go in and fish it out of the hiding area. But the best visual is a dog training to be dropped out of a helicopter getting strapped to an agent’s back and repelling down a six story structure (as seen above).

Rounding out the night is New York Police where dogs are trained to protect the world’s busiest city by sniffing out bombs, which they did to keep the scene safe during the Times Square Bombing attempt, attacking criminals in the subway, and as part of a search and rescue squad. Some of New York’s finest four legged officers went down to Haiti to find people stuck in the rubble after last year’s earthquake. And how New York is it that even police dogs need to be issued credentials just to sniff for bombs at the US Open tennis tournament? The most interesting part of the episode doesn’t even take place in New York, but across the river at a woman’s prison in New Jersey wear inmates actually help train puppies to become bomb sniffing dogs and even lives in the inmate’s cell. Check out a clip of that below:

Puppies Behind Bars

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/20/11

Chuck: If Chuck were not to be renewed for next fall, here is hoping they pick up a prequel spin off featuring the C.A.T. Squad, I’d totally watch that over the proposed Charlie’s Angels reboot. Now if only they could work Casey into the series. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Finally Marshall is back in New York, his dad’s death storyline went on for far too long. And what is with Barney dating a British chick? You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: So that is why the swimmer was acting so weird last week. I totally did not see that coming. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

Greek: I thought this show took place in Ohio? As someone who has lived in the state for his whole life, we have had plenty of snowstorms that bad or worse, that couldn’t have been the first one they have witnessed. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Castle: Of course Castle and Beckett both had to be right, his buddy didn’t murder his wife, but she was right that he was involved with his father’s murder. I saw that ending coming a mile away. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Parenthood: I can’t believe I just watched Lyla Garrity talk down Ben Linus. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Parenthood on iTunes.

Mr. Sunshine: Hopefully they find a way to keep the pyromaniac secretary around because she was my favorite part of the show after Allison Janney. Certainly her son won’t be able to help out Matthew Perry. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mr. Sunshine on iTunes.

Justified: Interesting that weed lady lied to the girl about her daddy dying instead telling her that he went on a business trip. What is she going to tell the girl when he doesn’t return? I guess he will “die” on the trip if she doesn’t find out the truth in the meantime. Here’s hoping she goes Hit Girl on the family if she does find out. And what was with Ava and Boyd? Did they hook up or is that the only place he thought he could go after getting beat up? But this episode featured my third favorite scene with the apricot line coming in just after the series opening and “Use it or throw it away.” You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: I don’t really think we really needed that “previously on segment.” You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Outsourced: It’s a shame we only got to hear three seconds of karaoke Sister Christian, hopefully there is an extended version unleashed on the internet in the near future. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

You can also check out my First Impressions of Survivor: Redemption Island.

Best of the Week - 2/19/11

Quote of the Week: I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t do drugs. I don’t have crazy, reckless sex with strangers. If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I’m gonna be really pissed. (Chuck Lorre – Two and a Half Men)

Song of the Week: Reading Rainbow Theme Song - Tina Fabrique (as sung by Troy and LeVar Burton, Community)

Big News of the Week: Adrianne Palicki is You New Wonder Woman: Please if you will, step into the 9th Green time machine all the way back to October of 2010 when hearing that David E. Kelly was working on a Wonder Woman television show I commented,

“No word on who will fill Lynda Carter’s spandex, but if I were a casting director, I would definitely screen test the recently unemployed and currently brunette Tyra Collette.”

Keep in mind that the show just got picked up for a pilot and there are no guarantees it will make it to air and no live action actress has donned the golden bracelets since Lynda Carter hung up her lasso of truth thirty two years ago (but this is NBC and they have been throwing everything at the wall the last couple seasons).

The casting comes shortly after another casting I suggested that Trya’s nemesis Lyla Garrity become one of Charlie’s Angels for ABC’s reboot. Unfortunately the casting director didn’t take my other suggestions of Veronica Mars and Lana Lang to fill out the trio. But with my tract record of finding role for Friday Night Lights alums, now I need to scourer the trades to find Coach and Mrs. Taylor some work. Or maybe Parenthood should take up my suggestion that the Taylors should move to California to coach Drew’s football team.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick(s) Picture of the Week:



Free Download of the Week: Happily Ever After – He Is We (iTunes): Don’t ask me what the band name is, but I found the song sugary sweet. For your previewing pleasure, here is an acoustic version of the song.



New Album Release of the Week: 21 - Adele

New DVD Release of the Week: All-Star Superman

Video of the Week: After the cinematic masterpiece that was Blue Crush, I assumed that we would get a chicks surfing movie once a year for a while, but no luck, not even a crappy straight to video “sequel” that has nothing to do with the orginal aside from the name and stolen plot. Finally almost a decade later Hollywood is going back to the beach with Soul Surfer.

Soul Surfer Official Trailer


First, if this chick is willing to amputate her arm for a role, just give her an Oscar now. Second, Carrie Underwood? What? Third, I had no clue that was Helen Hunt until they credited her. What has she been up to since Mad About You ended?

Next Week Pick of the Week: Episodes, Tomorrow at 9:30 on Showtime: With all the hype of the Friends returning to television, it doesn’t look like they will spend much time of the schedule together with Chandler replacing Monica and Joey’s show ending its season already. The press release teases

“Deeply regretting her tryst with Matt (Matt LeBlanc), Beverly (Tamsin Greig) returns home to find Sean (Stephen Mangan) waiting with open arms. As the pilot for the “Pucks!” pilot wraps, Sean and Beverly prepare to return to London. A final goodbye between Matt and Sean, however, takes an unexpected turn involving a missing Jaguar, a red-nosed reindeer and the smell of cinnamon.”

Around the Tubes - 2/18/11

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Are We There Yet?, Being Human, Big Love, Battle: Los Angeles, Secret Service Files, January Jones, Portlandia, Pretty Little Liars, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.


- Before the new episode of Are We There Yet? series stars Terry Crews (Nick), Essence Atkins (Suzanne), Teala Dunn (Lindsey), Coy Stewart (Kevin), Keesha Sharp (Gigi) and Christian Finnegan (Martin) will answer questions submitted by fans. Head over to TBS.com or the show’s Facebook page at 9:30 next week to participate.

- A new episode of Being Human is hitting Syfy this Monday at 9:00, here is a sneak peak:

It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Wrong


- I finished season four of Big Love this weekend and now ready for the DVD of the final season to hit shelves. For those watching in real time on HBO, here is a recap of the last episode to get you ready for the next episode on Sunday. And do not forget Margene’s blog who’s latest entry is a Girl’s Gotta Dance.



- For those looking forward to the upcoming Battle: Los Angeles (or just like winning stuff like a PS3) visit the movie’s Facebook page to play Battle: LA W.A.T.C.H.

- There are a couple new installments of the Secret Service Files coming up with four episode spread across Sunday and Monday on the National Geographic Channel starting at 8:00 each day. Here is a preview of what you can expect:

Secret Service Argent Training


- AOL Moviefone recently talked to January Jones about the grace Kelly comparisons, just how revealing her X-Men wardrobe is, and what is next for Betty Draper.

- It was announced this week that IFC’s new series Portlandia has been renewed for a second season for ten episodes starting January 2012. And on tonight’s episode will feature the band Echo Echo.

- What better way to celebrate President’s Day than a Pretty Little Liars marathon. Starting at 1:00 PM on ABC Family with the midseason premiere going all the way up to 8:00 with a brand new episode. George and Abe would certainly approve this message.

- TV.com recently nabbed an interview with Camille Grammar who revealed she tried to quite in the middle of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

First Impressions: Survivor: Redemption Island

Survivor: Redemption Island poises the question can the unredeemable actually be redeemed? For its new season Survivor brought back two of its biggest doushebags ever for another go around. Boston Rob gets his fourth go around even though he failed to make the jury on two of his previous season. Then the other contestant is the one person that can make Rob seem sympathetic, Russell who gets to play for the third time (and most likely last since it has been brought to light that he spoiled his first two seasons, which is a breach of contract that could cost him millions) who played the dumbest game ever only to repeat it on the second go-around and got completely outplayed by two girls.

Of course Redemption Island has less to do with the two returning contestants and more with the place voted out contestants go to battle in hopes to reenter the game. We will have to wait until next week to see how it fully works after a second contestant gets voted out (or possibly the third episode depending on when exactly the competition takes place). But from the preview it looks like something out of MTV’s The Challenge and it looks like Francesca Hogi will be taking on a dude (though the thick leg in the preview could be a production personal doing a run-through or someone from a later challenge) and hopefully it is Russell.

Then at some point during the season, the person left standing on Redemption Island will be released back into the game. I originally assumed that it would be around the merge, but the Redemption Moments were all of jury members who went fairly deep in the game. So I wonder when they get to the jury, will the person still on Redemption Island be able to sit in on Tribal Council? Hopefully they are not let back in late in the game because the later the less I like the idea of Redemption Island.

After a poorly cast Nicaragua season, there were plenty of standout characters from Redemption Island including redneck Ralph Kiser and an overabundance of eye candy highlighted by Andrea Boehlke but former Special Agent (?) Phillip Sheppard was the breakout star of the premiere episode. He bragged about his ability of being able to read people thanks to his federal agent (?) yet he has the social skills of Sheldon Cooper. His blowup was one of the more entertaining tribal councils in a while. Hopefully he somehow manages to stay awhile but sure dumb luck.

Contestant I’d Most Like to Have Dirty, Dirty Sex with Even if She Hasn’t Take a Shower in a Month: Andrea Boehlke

Winner: Andrea Boehlke

Back Up Choice: Mike Chiesl

Survivor: Redemption Island airs Wednesdays at 8:00 on CBS. You can stream episodes on CBS.com. You can also download Survivor on iTunes.

I Want My Music Television - 2/16/11

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.

Howlin’ for You – The Black Keys



Seriously, if Robert Rodriquez can turn a trailer he made for Grindhouse in the full length feature Machete, how about turning this Black Keys music video into feature film. I’d plop down money for the blu-ray just to see more of Sir Todd Bridges as a preacher.


Good Man - Raphael Saadiq



Ooo, Raphael Saadiq goes dark. Speaking of music videos that need to be turned a motion picture, someone create a Blaxplotation film to put this song on because it would make the best soundtrack since Curtis Mayfield.


White Limo – Foo Fighters



I do not know about the new Foo Fighters song or the homage to Journey’s Separate Ways video but the awesomeness of the video can be summed up in one word: Lemmy!!!


And lastly, here is my favorite performance from this year’s Grammy awards.



And for your downloading pleasures, here are the studio versions of the songs performed in order:

The Cave – Mumford and Sons
Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise – The Avett Brothers
Maggie's Farm – Bob Dylan

Lyrics Quiz: Crazy

About a month ago, I declared Crazy by Gnarls Barkley the Greatest Song of the 00’s (check out the list for the other 999 that made my list). In honor of the accomplishment I thought I would run Crazy through iTunes’ Genius function and here are the songs it gave me. Well, with the exception of Green Onions which I could add to the Lyrics Quiz considering it lacks any lyrics. With Crazy’s eccentric pop leaning I was a little surprised at the old school R&B heavy playlist Genius came up with (hint, hint). But anyway. As always leave your guesses, both artist and song title, in the comment section or e-mail me. If you are correct I will un-bold the lyric and give you credit. Please keep in mind the lyrics quiz is for entertainment purposes only so please only use your own meandering mind to guess them.

1. I cannot play myself again, I should just be my own friend, not (expletive delete) myself in the head with stupid men.
2. There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do. I’d twist through fire for you. Anything you asked me to. But I’m tired of living this lie, it’s getting harder to justify.
3. I won’t let my guard down for anyone but you. We do it all the time, blowing my mind.
4. I’m just straight ill, riding my motorcycle down the streets while politicians is sounding like strippers to me. They sayig but I don’t wanna hear it. (Lapdance - N.E.R.D.; guessed by Doug)
5. Who you going to tell when the reprocussions spin? Showing off you (expletive deleted) ‘cause you’re thinking it’s a trend. Girlfriend let me break it down for you again.
6. People say that I’ve found a way to make you say that you love me. But baby you didn’t go for that, me, it’s a natural fact that I wanna come back. Show me where it’s at, baby.
7. Oh, what did you do? What did you say? Did you walk or did you run away? Where are you now? Where have you been? Did you go alone or did you bring a friend?
8. She saves her lovin’ early in the morning just for me, oh yeah. She saves her lovin’ just for me. Oh she loves me so tenderly.
9. But here are some of music’s pioneers that time will not allow us to forget. For there’s Basie, Miller, Satchmo.
10. My brother sit me right down and he talked to me. He told me that I ought not let you just walk on me. And I’m sure he meant well.
11. I remember way back, way back when. I said I never wanna see your face again ‘cause you were loving, yes you’re loving somebody else.
12. And we should be together but we’re not. I play it off but I’m dreaming of you. I’ll keep it cool but I’m feenin’. (I Try - On How Life Is - Macy Gray; guessed by Doug)
13. Father, father, everyone thinks we’re wrong. Oh, but who are they to judge us simply because our hair is long.
14. I guess I must be dumb ‘cause you had a pocket full of horses, Trojan and some of them used.
15. I remember when I was sitting home alone waiting for you until three o’clock in the morn’. And when you came home you’d always have some sorry excuse.
16. When I hold you in my arms, I know I can’t do no wrong now. When I hold you in my arms, My love can’t do me no harm.
17. Sometimees these feelings can be so misleading. He turns and says, “Are you alright?” Oh, I must be fine ‘cause my heart’s still beating.
18. I’m pumping louder please don't tell me you don't like the flow. You cry to me to put this down so lemme step it – yo.
19. Hey, we don’t know each other well so why I keep picking up my cell. Memories just keep ringing bells.
20. Attracting honeys like a magnet, giving ‘em eargasms with my mellow accent, still moving this flavor. (No Diggity - Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre; guessed by Doug)
21. I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly. (Bootylicious - Destiny's Child; guessed by Doug)
22. All you gotta do is man; hold her where you want her. Squeeze her, don’t tease her. Never leave her.
23. The low pro (expletive deleted) should be cut like an afro. See what you’re saying, huh? She’s weighing but I know she’s a loser. How do you know: me and the crew used to do her. (Poison - Bell Bive DeVoe; guessed by Doug)
24. Now I heard a crying man is half a man with no sense of pride. But if I have to cry to keep you, I don't mind weeping if it'll keep you by my side.
25. Don’t you ever be sad. Lean on me, when times get bad. When the day come, and you know your down in a river of trouble, you’re about to drown.

We on Award Tour: 2011 Grammy Awards

- What a way to attract an audience that an Aretha Franklin tribute. Why they introduced everyone involved twice. And poor Christina Aguilera, first she flubs the national anthem then falls on the Grammys. It almost makes up for having to sit through Burlesque.

- The first award goes to Train and is the only award given out in the first hour which is why the Grammys is the only award show worth watching. Instead of expanding Best Movie, the Oscars should make Best Song ten to fifteen nominees and perform them all and push most of the awards to “handed out before the telecast.”

- Lady GaGa’s performances are known for being painfully to watch with her smearing herself with fake blood or fake ash, but Born This Way is most notable for just being painfully boring. And “Don’t be a drag, be a queen” may be the lamest chant in a song ever. Hopefully this is the official end of the Lady Gaga era.

- Marky Mark is officially off the hook for worst use of Walk on the Wild Side because that HP now holds that honor.

- I wonder if Muse gets asked to perform if the lead singer didn’t knock up Kate Hudson.

- It is a shame Janelle Monáe isn’t bigger than she is, she is the female embodiment of James Brown. And I really enjoyed the do-wop version of Grenade. Also, bonus points to B.o.B for rocking a monocle.

- Wait, Jewel is a country artist now? Was that common knowledge?

- Odd that Eva Longoria came out just as Desperate Housewives was starting on another station.

- What was with the Sub Zero dancers during the Justin Bieber performance?

- Speaking of Beiber, Donny Walberg is in no position to scoff at the crappy teen starlet because he was ten times worse.

- I liked how Selena Gomez hightailed it out of there after she announced Lady Gaga as the winner. I would too.

- Despite Bob Dylan being even more gravelity voiced than usual, the Mumford & Sons / The Avett Brothers stole the show with the best performance of the night.

- Teddy Pendergrass deserves better than having one line song in honor of him. And didn’t Lady Antebellum sing Need You Now last year?

- Kings of Leon did not look happy that they were paired with Miley Cyrus. And speaking of Cyrus I am completely against her hosting Saturday Night Live because The Miley Cyrus Show is the break out sketch of the season and I fear her showing up on it with ruin it.

- Apparently the Grammys made Cee Lo Green change so many lyrics that he actually forgot them. Or maybe he was distracted by his Elton John costume.

- Just when you thought Katy Perry couldn’t get any worse she breaks out a balled featuring pictures of Russell Brand. Eww.

- I liked how they referred the Cee-Lo song as “The Song Otherwise Known as Forget You” much more entertaining than simply “Forget You.”

- Lady Antebellum wins Song of the Year. Keep in mind this is a songwriter’s award, which went to a song about drunken dialing.

- When Seth Rogan said Adam Levine was part of the Eminem / Rihanna / Dr. Dre performance I thought he was joking, but there he was at the piano. And Dre, it time to stop teasing us and give us an official release date for Detox.

- At least they spruced up the token old white guy moment this year by playing music over him. Now he knows how long winded award winners feel like. Although it was odd how he talked about accepting free speech right after a heavily censored Eminem set.

- I am not the biggest The Rolling Stones fan out there, but Mick Jagger tore the roof off the place. Too bad Raphael Saadiq get mentioned as the guitar player.

- Okay, Lady Gaga wasn’t as boring as Barbra Streisand. It’s too bad Duck Sauce didn’t come out and perform with her.

- Walk Up is a good song and all, but I have never gotten Arcade Fire as a whole.

- If Arcade Fire wins Album of the Year but lost Best Alternative Album to The Black Keys, doesn’t that mean Brothers is really the true Record of the Year?

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/13/11

Shameless: It’s parent-teacher conference tonight on Shameless and not surprisingly Frank is opposed to the idea despite many people needing him to show up. Someone will also get the Suge Knight treatment sometime during the episode. And for anyone who just watches in hopes to see Emmy Rossum in various states of the undressed will not be disappointed with tonight’s episode.

Chuck: Sarah and Chuck cannot elope because they have to have a big wedding with Jeffster as their house band. And who would be against a lengthy guest stint from Gary Cole. Which begs the question; do we know what happened to her mother? I do not remember her ever being brought up. I may have to re-watch the original Gary Cole episode to see if she was mentioned at all. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: I didn’t think this show could find a worse actor than Britney Spears, but Katy Perry managed to be even more painful to watch. She even made Jennifer Morrison’s comedic styling compliant. And hopefully Marcus visits Marshall frequently when he goes back to New York. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

Pretty Little Liars: What a weird turn face from the swimming teammate, a rain soaked apology followed by a biking accident. I thought she was going to blame the accident of the lesbian, but no, she just had to learn to swim for herself. Alrighty. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

Greek: I really thought Casey would be mad that Cappie took advantage of her last week, but I guess the writer are not waiting for the series finale to get the two back together. And just when I thought Ashleigh hooking up with Dr. Burton would be icky, Rusty joined the love triangle. Double eww. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Castle: If I won the lottery, I would buy a mansion with a Silver Spoons style train in it. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Harry’s Law: They are not really going to hagve Shooter McGavin hook up with Kathy Bates are they? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Lights Out: They cut off the episode about five minutes too early because I really would have liked to see the conversation between Hal Brennan and Barry Word. I wonder if Brennan was the one who actually put the concrete in the punching bag. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Modern Family: It is always good to see Dylan back (though I wish we would have gotten more of his song) but I wonder if had seen Hayley lately before going Jon Cusack on her lawn because she was looking really frumpy this episode to the point I did not even recognized her on the couch and thought maybe she was a friend of Manny. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Mr. Sunshine: A solid start and it clear the Allison Janney’s crazy version of Marge Schott is the breakout star of the show. And I would mind more of the psycho assistant. But less of the co-worker with benefit, I am not sure how she still gets jobs on sitcoms considering she isn’t very funny. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mr. Sunshine on iTunes.

Justified: That is the first time I remember a show opting just to show the previous episode’s late couple minutes in lue of the usual “Previously On” segment. And I guess growing up the son of a con man gets you in with a pretty bad crowd being good friends with the Crowder family and the new weed family. Ava and Winona must be very good in the bed because I cannot think why he would want to stay in Harland with these families when he was offered his job back in Florida. But I liked the ending with Boyd once again uttering the title of the story the show is based on, “Fire in the whole.” Can’t wait to next week to see what he is up to now. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: Just when I thought nothing would get ickier this week than Dr. Burton hooking up with Ashleigh, Lucille Bluth had to go and seduce Lenard. Now if you excuse me, I need to go and wash my eyes out Alex Dunphy style. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: Just how hard is it to get shows On Demand the next day? It seems like every other week Community and Outsourced take different amount of days getting On Demand (where I tend to watch them) which makes little sense to me. And as I write this, Community still is not available. Technology should makes thing easier not harder. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: By bringing new meaning to a double date, Manmeet has officially upgraded to G status. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

Best of the Week - 2/12/11

Quote of the Week: Here’s what I wonder about zombies: what happens if they can’t get any human flesh to eat, they can’t starve to death, they’re already dead. (Raj, The Big Bang Theory)

Song of the Week: Wind of Change – Scorpions (Chuck)

Big News of the Week: Super Bowl Shuffle 2011: It’s clear that if go around raping chicks that referees will no longer give you the same home cooking that let you win your previous championships (well at least in the NFL, NBA refs apparently have short memories). And in the first yea in a while, the commercials were just as good as the game thanks to Darth Vader, dog destroying doors and Eminem. Unfortunately the same could not be said about the halftime show where The Black Eyed Peas managed to limbo under the low bar The Who set last year. Here is a suggestion for next year: Dave Matthews Band; they are only the biggest touring draw of the past decade.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick picture of the Week



Free Download of the Week: Your Pick: Scooter's Note: This offer is no longer available, check back later for more free offers. Nothing really caught my eye on the free front this week so I will be giving away two free songs via Amazon MP3. Just e-mail me (ScooterKSU(at)aol(dot)com) what song you want by 5:00 PM tomorrow (Sunday) and I will be sending two people the song they picked tomorrow. Note this is only available for people with an American account and make sure you e-mail me, with subject line Free MP3, with the account that is linked to your Amazon account.

New Album Release of the Week: Go-Go Boots - Drive By Truckers

New DVD Release of the Week: Waiting for Superman

Video of the Week: And for anyone who managed to miss it, here is the previously mentioned Eminem Super Bowl ad.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Survivor: Redemption Island, Wednesday at 8:00 on CBS: After drawing it out longer than they should, Survivor unveiled the worst kept secret in that they were bringing back Boston Rob and Russell, neither of which are the redeemable especially Russell who just got caught spoiling the previous two seasons he was on. Should make for an interesting reunion show if Jeff Probst brings it up. Hopefully they are both out early (keep I mind the only time they brought back two previous contestants, one went out early while the other made it to the final tribal) and get booted promptly from Redemption Island soon after that. My preseason pick is Andrea Boehlke.

Around the Tunes - 2/11/11

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Friday Night Lights, The Sunset Limited, Greek, Prison Women, Hard Times, The Steve Miller Band, Ghost Hunters International, Britney Spears, Charlie Sheen, O, The Oprah Magazine, and The Grammys.

- Friday Night Lights aired its last episode this week on DirecTV (non subscribers can look for the season to start up on NBC in April, or buy the DVD that month) and TV Guide has a three part series speaking to Kyle Chandler (Eric Taylor), Connie Britton (Tami Taylor), Aimee Teegarden (Julie Taylor), Taylor Kitsch (Tim Riggins), Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen), Matt Lauria (Luke Cafferty), Michael B. Jordan (Vince Howard), and executive producers Jason Katims and David Nevins about the show. Click for part 1, part 2, and part 3 but be warned for those that have not seen the final season, there are spoilers in the third part.

- Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Cormack McCarthy. That is all you need to know about The Sunset Limited which premieres tomorrow on HBO at 9:00. For those that need to know more, here is a trailer:

Preview Clip

- Want to grab some Greek swag? All you have to do is tweet about the various ways they give back and each tweet will be considered a sweepstakes entry and winners of items will be selected at random. Head over to abcfamily.com/giveback for more information and what you can win.

- Next week National Geographic Channel will look at women in prison on both sides of the bars. Sunday they will air Prison Women: Females on Guard at 8:00 followed by Prison Women: County Jail. Then Tuesday at 10:00 they come to Ohio for Hard Time: Female Offenders. Check out a preview below:

Mom and Baby and Prison


- The Steve Miller Band put together one of my favorite Greatest Hits disks of all time and now the group is back with a new album Let Your Hair Down in stores April 19. That is also the date Steve and boys will kick off a tour in support of the album with special guest Gregg Allman which will include opening the Moody Theater for Austin City Limits on February 24 and a live taping there two days later.

- The season finale of Ghost Hunters International is next Wednesday on Syfy and here is a sneak peak:



- I think it is a little silly that Britney Spears is still singing songs about how sexy she is, that ship sailed a shaven head and two kids ago. But anyways. MTV will return back to music television next Thursday when they premiere Hold it Against Me right before a new episode of Jersey Shore. Head over to MTV.com for the full story.

- When news broke that Charlie Sheen got caught in an anger filled motel rager with a porn star all us fans of good television rejoiced think the scandal would plummet the ratings for Two and a Half Men. One rager later and the show is still the most watched comedy on television and the Hollywood Reporter has conducted a poll that may explain why with 82% of woman saying they will continue to watch the show as often a one fourth polled say they view Sheen much or somewhat more favorably after hearing recent news about him. I fear for America.

- Or you can check out the March installment of O, The Oprah Magazine which will feature a feature by Nate Berkus who will give you ways to De-Clutter Your Life which includes Nate philosophy: “People first. Dogs second. Things last. It’s a simple philosophy.” Look for the issue to hit stands February 15.

- I cannot entirely agree with their methodology, but Klout is predicting that Eminem with take home Record of the Year with Lady Gaga will take home the biggest prize, Album of the Year at the Grammys Sunday. Head over to their blog for their complete predictions.

They Call Dawn the Morning and I Wish We Said Goodbye

There is a lot of great music that comes out of a break up (just ask Fleetwood Mac) and Nicole Atkins hit the trifecta since her last album breaking up with a longtime boyfriend, her band, and her label. On Neptune City, Atkins went for a songs that harkens back to the singer-songwriters of the fifties but bigger. But for Mondo Amore Nicole gets much moodier with songs that border on psychedelic at time.

This is no more apparent than on the track that closes out Mondo Amore, The Tower where she unleashes any pent up emotions from the previous nine songs for six full minutes where Atkins wails just as much as the guitar on the track. It is a good bookend to the opening track Vultures which is more contained than the closer but still manages to hit an emotional high.

Other standout tracks on Mondo Amore include Cry Cry Cry, the catchiest tune on the album which should be coming to an adult contemporary radio station near you soon if you have a competent musical director. On the flip side You Come to Me rocks the hardest of the songs and borders on indie fuzz but never cross that line. While My Baby Don’t Lie is a foot stomping old time track that sounds like it was recorded in the time of Leadbelly.

Song to Download – Cry Cry Cry (You can currently also download Vultures for free on iTunes)

Mondo Amore gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

I Want My Music Television - 2/9/11

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.


Never Gonna Leave This Bed - Maroon 5



I wonder at what point to the other dudes in Maroon 5 say to the lead singer, “Um, when do we get a music video where we spend the whole time making out with models?” And is Adam Levine in a bet with former tour mate John Mayer who can cover the most skin with silly tattoos?


Thunder On the Mountain (feat. Jack White and the Third Man House Band) - Wanda Jackson



Jack and Meg may have retired The White Stripes but it looks like Jack isn’t quite done with color coordination just yet, this time going with black and pink to help out Wanda Jackson on this Bob Dylan song.


2getha Baby - Ghostface Killah



Who else but Ghostface Killah make a song about chicks that still sounds hard?


Wet - Snoop Dogg



One rapper that cannot is Snoop Dogg. Sexual Sedution was entertaining in a cheesy kind of way, but someone really needs to hold an auto-tune intervention with the Boss Dogg.

Don't Call it a Comeback vol. III: Toad the Wet Sprocket

It seems like once a week I am listening to my iTunes library and I hear a song that makes me go, this artist really needs a comeback. So I thought I would start a new feature here on the 9th Green highlighting an artist that really needs to reenter the public consciousness. The only criterion is that the artist hasn’t had a legitimate hit in over a decade.

Due for a Comeback: Toad the Wet Sprocket

Biggest Hit: All I Want



Last Hit: Good Intentions (1996)

Where Are They Now: The group broke up in 1998 but regroups occasionally for shows. Lead singer Glen Phillips released three albums last decade. Last year the band released its first new studio track in over a decade, the Sam Phillips holiday tune It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas. Word has it they currently writing songs for a new album which would be their first since 1997’s Coil.

Why the World Needs a Toad the Wet Sprocket Comeback: Because modern rock has all but disappeared. Maybe it was my formative year, but I remember the mid nineties music very fondly with so called modern rock from Toad and similar bands like Hootie and the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Better than Ezra, and Blues Traveler. Only Dave Matthews Band seemed to transition well into the new millennium, but maybe a reunited group that started the trend (unless you consider R.E.M. part of the genre) can kick start the modern rock movement. Even if it isn’t very modern anymore.

Previewing Lizard Lick Towing

Every professions seems to be getting their own reality shows these days, truck drivers, tanning salons, pawn shows, and you can add towing to that list tonight when Lizard Lick Towing premieres tonight on TruTV at 10:00. Like any reality show it is less about the location than the personalities and Lizard Lick has a few of them.

Ron Shirley looks like Nasty Brian Nnobbs complete with pointy Mohawk but is pure redneck and is an ordained minister. Amy Shirley is quick with an insult to her husband when she isn’t worried about him taking high risk repo jobs. And there is Bobby Brantley who is listed at Ron’s best friends despite the two fighting most of the time.

Tonight focuses on a particularly tenuous repo of a car whose owner’s rap sheet is about as numerous as the number of tattoos on his body that leaves Bobby in a precarious situation that tests his friendship with Ron even further. Bobby also has a run in with someone who needs something out of his car, and the anger confrontation is only made more humorous when you find out what that is. And Amy drops a bombshell almost worthy of a daytime soap.

Lizard Lick Towing airs Mondays at 10:00 on TruTV.

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 2/6/11

Shameless: Showtime was nice enough to give me a preview of tonight’s episode and I didn’t have much expectations going to the show but it was highly enjoyable. I am not sure it happens every week, but the episode starts up with the greatest “previous on” segment where William H Macy is sitting in a hospital bed saying, “Here is what you missed on Shameless last week: I got really drunk… I’m not sure what happened after that.” Sure I have now seen Emmy Rossum do her lady business more than I would like to, which is something you would have to see every week because it is in the title sequence, and you get a bonus scene as part of tonight’s episode which also features an bachelor and bachelorette party while Frank learns that his third testicle may not actually be a good thing. If you have missed Shameless, Showtime is reairing the first four episodes starting at 5:00 tonight which give you time to catch up before a new episode at 10:00 after new episode of Episodes and Californication because it is not like there is anything worth watching tonight.

Chuck: Is it wrong that I was disappointing it is Volkoff going off to jail not mama Bartowski, because I would much rather have Timothy Dalton stick around long that Linda Hamilton. At least we got more Jeffster. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

Greek: If Ashleigh hooks up with Dr. Mike Burton I will be totally creeped out even more than Cappie taking advantage of a drunken Casey. I do not think she will be happy when she wake us tomorrow. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



The Cape: When I saw we had our first female baddie of the week I was hoping for a good old girl fight with Orwell and how disappointed that we only got a punch out of each of them. Hurmph. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Cape on iTunes.

Harry’s Law: Hopefully the fast food lawsuit goes forward because Scoote McGavin remains to be the best (and really only good) thing about the show. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Lights Out: It has long been debated what would happen if a boxer took on an MMA with the consensus being that neither could beat each other at the other’s sport. Except of course in a fictionalize setting with Lights taking out an MMA fighter in the octagon. Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: I am jealous that Dr. Cooper was never lectured a class I attended. I may be more jealous that I never got acting lesions from Penny. It should also be pointed out that Outsourced had a much more entertaining Bollywood dance sequence two weeks ago. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Community: I still can’t Chang’s elf out of my head. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: I do not know if the getting on train thing is real, but I hope it is because it was hilarious. I would also like to point out that I was The Pretzel king back in my team building days. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.