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.