You would think if you went into the studio with as diverse producers as Jeff Lynne (ELO), David Kahne (Tony Bennett), Jacknife Lee (Snow Patrol), and Mike Elizondo (Eminem) you would come out with an eclectic groups of tracks. Yet for the third album by Regina Spektor with those for four producers all contributing, Far still sounds like classic Spektor with only those with the highest musical I.Q. would even come close to matching songs with the producer without peeking at the liner notes.
Far continues Spektor’s trend of quirky female piano pop that many people try but fail to get her recognition (it is no surprise that she recently recorded with her male counterpoint Ben Folds). Really, Spektor is the only person that could wax poetic about a DJ forgetting to take November Rain off of repeat and turn it into a kids sing a long for a video or turn heart and fall into fifteen syllable words. And that continues on the new album whether she is making dolphin sounds on Folding Chair, a chorus that just repeats the word Eet, lines about making computers out of macaroni (The Calculation) or creating a whole song about thumping through a stranger’s Wallet.
But the strangest of them all may be Dance Anthems of the 80’s which despite the title still has Spektor’s signature piano instead of the decade’s familiar synthesizer. And the oddness of the song is only outdone by the video for Dance Anthems of the 80’s. Spektor gets plenty existential on the album like on Blue Lips where the Adam and Eve verses work much better than the simplistic chorus. Or Laughing With where she takes a look at some of the more depressing creations God have given us like poverty, hospitals and natural disasters. While Machine is one of her more brooding song thanks to some heavy percussion and lyrics that deal with humans become one with them.
Concept albums are always a tricky situation, but Pete Yorn started off his career with a concept trilogy dealing with the times of the day: Musicforthemorningafter, The Day I Forgot, and Nightcrawler. The first two albums had their great moments signaling Yorn as the next great singer-songwriter from the Garden State making a niche as either a folksier version Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band era of a more rocking version of his Nebraska style of music.
But by the time he got around to finishing his trilogy, Yorn sounded like he was just spinning the tires with songs that sounded like his previous work but less adventurous. With the trilogy out of the way, there were high hopes for his fourth full length album Back & Fourth. Unfortunately is follows in the trend of Nightcrawler, a step backwards.
There are a few bright spots on the album like the depressing (in an entertaining, more melodic Ryan Adams kind of way) Social Development Dance where Yorn hears about the passing only to get no results when Google her name in quotations. Last Summer perfects Yorn’s ability to write hard driving emotion songs. But in the end, if you already have the first two Pete Yorn albums, there isn’t much need to pick up Back & Fourth.
Sometime filmmakers luck into good timing for a documentary. Such is the case for tonight’s Iran and the West on the National Geographic Channel thanks to all the chaos surrounding Iran’s recent election. None of the recent turmoil is profiled but there are still plenty to cover in the thirty years since the Ayatollah took power in the country. But where Iran and the West excels is with its unprecedented number of interviews they landed for the documentary, over forty on both sides including Vladimir Putin, two former Iranian presidents and Jimmy Carter.
Considering the first half hour is focused so much on how Carter dealt with the hostage crisis, it is a little disappointing that none of his successors chose to participate, but four of the recent secretary of state, George Shultz, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell, fill in the holes. The documentary does a great job explained the contentious nature between Iran and the west, although Iran-Contra seemed to get glossed over with just a small reference. And even though he didn’t give an interview, current Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad makes an interesting cameo early on during the documentary.
Iran and the West premiere tonight at 9:00 on the National Geographic Channel. Check out a preview below involving Madeleine Albright that could explain why things haven’t gone very well over the past thirty years:
Considering they are remaking every movie these days because Hollywood has run out of ideas or are just too lazy to promote original ones, when they get around to ruining Animal House with Jonah Hill as Bruno, Michael Cera as Otter and Megan Fox as Katy we can rest in the solace that they can use a respectable replacement for Otis Day and the Nights in Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.
Naturally the debut album from the band, Tell ‘em What Your Name Is! starts with the explosive Gunpower that sets the tone of the band’s garage soul. The song in drenched in horns and organ and a controlled scream by Lewis that is very reminiscent of the James Brown. But Brown was never this dirty as he always made sure every note was just right. The Honeybears just want to play.
Gunpower is followed up by Sugarfoot (who is the drummer of the Honeybears) which will be the most infectious song you will hear all year and cold even make the whitest of guy get up and dance. Filling out the rest of the Honeybears are Rooster Andrews (guitar), Big Show Varley (keyboards), Wild Card Bill (bass), and horns section of Slyder, McKnight the Night Train and Sleepy Ramirez.
Like the two songs that start off the album, most of Tell ‘em What Your Name Is! is a mix of all the great soul and R&B artists of the seventies from the previously mentioned James Brown, Motown, Stax and even some Sly Stone funk mixed in. While Please pt. Two pushes the band into a more Psychedelic feel to it. Big Booty Woman features a classic call and response which should be a requirement at any house party, Get Yo (Expletive Deleted) features the classic spoken word chorus, while Humpin’ could rival Green Onions as the funkiest instrumental ever put on wax. Adam Sandler’s character from The Waterboy even gets a shout out in Bobby Booshay.
Quote of the Week: You put the Evil in Knievel lady. (Emerson Cod, Pushing Daisies)
Song of the Week: I Want to Live – Shawn Garrity and a Choir of Angels/Nurses (Rescue Me)
Big News of the Week: Big Head Sammy and the Monsters: In a the least surprising news of the week that just beat out Sun Rises in East, it was revealed that Sammy Sosa was another of the 104 names on the same list that Alex Rodriquez whose name was leaked earlier this year. I guess at this rate we will get the last name on the list by 2025.
In other morally questionable athlete news, I am glad the NBA playoffs are finally over so we stop hear the talking head talk about Kobe Bryant cementing his legacy with another title even though he cemented his legacy in Colorado in 2004. Not that he really deserved another ring because he was a goal tend and an elbow throw call away from being down 3-1.
Now if want to talk about an athlete who legitimately cemented his legacy, look to the NHL with Sidney Crosby who went into Hockey Town and won a game seven after winning a seven game duel with Alex Ovechkin in Washington.
Coalition Links of the Week: Will you watch four additional hours of The Real Housewives of New Jersey? Come on, be honest. (BuzzSugar)
"It's the end of the world, Cappie. What are you going to do?" If you missed the season finale of Greek, check out our recap. If you've never seen the show, now is a great time to get caught up. You won't be disappointed. (Give Me My Remote)
It's summer so all Vance can talk about is So You Think You Can Dance! This week, his take on the Top 18 performances. (Tapeworthy)
As we say goodbye to Pushing Daisies and prepare to say goodbye to Kings, Marisa has just one question: What the heck is wrong with you people? (TiFaux)
Raoul wrote HawthoRNe a Dear John letter. Yes, already. (TV Filter)
This week, the TV Addict crafted an Open Letter to Dawn Ostroff, CW President of Entertainment. (The TV Addict)
He's no Robert Pattinson, but Ian Somerhalder looks smokin' in The Vampire Diaries. (TV Fanatic)
Kings: So if the Prince wasn’t happy that Mr. Boston saved his like when he was captured by Gath, I can’t imagine he will be thrilled that he saved yet again this week from certain death. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com. You can also download Kings on iTunes.
Pushing Daisies: A strong ended considering it was extremely rushed. Really can’t complain about the open resolution of Papa Piemaker and Charles Charles thanks to the premature cancelation, but I was a little disappointed we didn’t get an explanation as to why Charles Charles and the aunts had the same last name despite having intimate relations with each other. Oh well. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Greek: I really hope that last scene was a sign that Frannie won’t come back next season. Hopefully Casey is stupid enough to let her move in for her final semester. Or maybe she could move in with Rusty and Dale because certainly they could come up with some great storyline with her and Dale butting heads. You can stream current episodes over at ABCFamily.com. You can also download Greek on iTunes.
Charm School with Ricki Lake: Why is everyone so eager to leave this show. There are very few things that would get me to drop out of a competition for $100,000 but we have already had two people quit and now there are two people fight over who wants to be sent home. You can also download Charm School with Ricki Lake on iTunes.
Rescue Me: Why couldn’t we have gotten a full episode of singing Shawn? When his brother showed up I was laughing hysterically. Hopefully he sticks around to nurse his brother back to health. But then again the episode was filled with plenty of non-musical hijacks like Black Shawn getting the hose turned on him adn Tommy and Janet getting caught. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
Free Download of the Week: Arrested Development – Pilot (iTunes): iTunes is offering up a bunch of comedy episodes for free. If you download just one, get Arrested Development.
Video of the Week: I hate it when you hear about a movie and instantly know it is going to suck and then you see the trailer and think to yourself, “That just may be watchable.” Case in point: Bandslam. Yeah, there is no way this will be any good, but the trailer makes it look like it may be enjoyable. Plus it has Jason Street as an antagonist rival singer. And what is it with Vanessa Hudgens and cheesy seventies songs? First she samples The PlayersBaby Come Back for her debute single and in the movie she tackles Everything I Own by Bread. And surprisingly the pseudo-ska version in the trailer actually sounds listenable. Luckily I have until August to completely forget the movie ever exists.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Eli Stone, tonight at 10:00 on ABC: Last week we saw the end of Pushing Daisies and tonight starts the three week reprieve of Eli Stone before it heads off to DVD for all eternity. Or at least until networks start recycling late ’00 show ideas in ten to twenty years.
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 Stargate Universe, Merlin, The Philanthropist, Tracy Ullman’s State of the Union, Locked Up Abroad, Stories from the Vault, and Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story.
- The latest Stargate staring I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’s Lou Diamond Philips is hitting The Sci-Fi Channel Syfy this fall and here is a sneak peek to whet your appetite:
- Coming this Sunday at 8:00 is the premiere of Merlin on NBC. Here is a preview:
- Also debuting next week on NBC is The Philanthropist Wednesday at 10:00. It looks interesting but I am not sure I can watch it because I have seen the lead completely naked, and as How I Met Your Mother showed me this season, once you seen a dude in all his glory, you can really look at him in anything again. And for all the ladies out there wondering, pick up the HBO series Rome. Actually everyone should pick up the show, because the full frontal male nudity aside, if I were to make a list of the best shows of the ’00, Rome would most likely crack the top ten. But anyways. Here is a preview of The Philanthropist:
- A new season of Locked Up Abroad is coming to the National Geographic Channel July 15. This season the show will feature people stuck in Iraq, Barbados, Ecuador, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and India.
- Nurse Jackie isn’t the only show Showtime is renewing these days; Tracy Ullman’s State of the Union is getting a third season. Seven new episodes should hit the channel early 2010. Also Penn and Teller’s that will go unnamed will become Showtime’s longest running series returning for its seventh season Thursday June 25 at 10:00.
- Still not sure if I have the Smithsonian Channel, but I may want hunt it down by July 12 because that is the new season Stories from the Vault premieres which it hosted by Tom Cavanagh (Ed). Also coming to the Smithsonian Channel September 4 (Labor Day) is a two part documentary that tells the story of the Federal Writer’s Project of the 1930’s called Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story. So those that have the Smithsonian Channel, mark your calendar.
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.
“Weird Al” Yankovic has finally harnessed the internet, releasing songs as soon as he records them instead of waiting for a full album with some parodies becoming dated by time of the release. It started with last year’s Whatever You Like with four others to be released sometime this year. First up is a style parody of The Doors which actually features Ray Manzarek on the keyboard because Al thought it was funny thinking about Jim Morrison singing about Craigslist (not to be confused with the Backstreet Boys parody E-Bay). Supposedly the next song will be released as soon as next month.
It is nice that Kanye West says he is going back to rap and even co-produced Jay-Z’s D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune) yet he is still releasing videos for his horrible auto-tune inspired album. And an odd choice to have Rihanna star in a video entitled Paranoid.
If they gave away awards for best song titles, Ida Maria would land one for I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked. And that isn’t even the best lyric in the song as that sentiment is followed up by the line, “I like me so much better when you’re naked.” You won’t be able to resist chanting along when her band chimes in at the end of the song.
The rest of the Norwegians debut album Fortress ‘round My Heart is garage rock nirvana filled with quick and to the point songs (only one song goes past three and a half minutes) with power pop chords that are allowed to fuzz out; no pro tools or auto tune here as Maria has no problem letting her voice crack throughout the songs. The mood id set right from the opening with Oh My God. Another standout is the bouncy Louie which may or may not be a shout out to the original garage band song..
The drawback for Fortress ‘round My Heart is a lack of diversity; most songs follow the same template. And when she does deviate, slow songs like Keep Me Warm just don’t sound right for her voice until they turn up the guitars, just to turn down the volume in time for the next verse. And at a half an hour that garage rock theme can get tired during repeat listening. Not that the phrase I Like You so Much Better When You’re Naked will ever get tired saying.
It seems every new television season there is a new show about doctors (or five) it is surprising it took so long for networks to deviate and have a medical show focusing on nurses. Now in the span of four months, we get three new shows that revolve around RN’s. Last week saw the debut of Nurse Jackie on Showtime, the fall sees NBC’s foray into the profession with Mercy, while TNT premieres Hawthorne which sets itself apart by having the lead have RN in her name. But really not much else.
Jada Pinkett Smith (Reign Over Me) is said title character who is the head nurse at Richmond Trinity and the show picks up on the one year anniversary of the death of her husband. We are not that privy as to how it happen, just bits and pieces leak out in the first couple episodes on how he died. But naturally it causes some strain between her and her daughter and mother-law (Joanna Cassidy; yes, the white one) as it did happen at the hospital.
Other staffers include Michael Vartan (Monster-in-Law) who is just as wooden as ever, not that the female patrons will care much as the Chief of Surgery. Smith’s right hand woman is Suleka Mather (The Net) who self proclaimed damaged good (we do get to find out why she thinks that in a did that really just happened moment). David Julian Hirsh (Lovebites) is your comic relief, which is kind of sexist being the lone male nurse on staff.
Rounding out the cast is Christina Moore (Mad TV) whose main purpose apparently is just there to be the object of Hirsh’s affection. In fact Vanessa Lengies (American Dreams) isn’t officially in the cast but gets much more screen time, and better storylines, in the first couple episodes than Moore as a rookie nurse. It did look like Moore was going to be a nurse that gives her patients a little too much TLC, but that seemed to be quickly dropped after first alluded to.
The show does start to be more entertaining during the second episode thanks to some infusion of humor and a pair of guest stars. Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Listen Up) is admitted after a brain aneurism who mistakes Smith as his wife. And Cloris Leachman (Dancing with the Star) as a cantankerous patient that newbie Lengies has to deal with.
Hawthorne airs Tuesdays at 9:00 on TNT. The show is preceded by The Wedding Day at 8:00 and followed by Saving Grace at 10:00. Check out a preview below:
Summer officially starts next week so I thought I would break out some “Summer” themed songs for this month’s lyrics quiz. As usual, place your guesses in the comment (or e-mail me), both artist and song title, and if you are correct I will un-bold the lyric. Now onto the quiz:
1. Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach. I feel it in the air. (The Boys of Summer - Don Henley; guessed by Tony) 2. Around about this time the telephone blew its horn across the room. Scared little Annie clean out of her mind and I tell ya. 3. Man we were killing time, we were young and restless. We needed to unwind. I guess nothing lasts forever. (Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams; guessed by Tony) 4. When you’re on a holiday, you can’t find the words to say all the things that come to you. And I want to feel it too. (Island in the Sun - Weezer; guessed by Tony) 5. Wandered through the valley of the shadow of the dead stumbled round this old sundial, there these words I read. 6. The weather is hot and girls are dressing less and checking out the fellas to tell them who’s best. (Summertime - D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince; guessed by Rebekah) 7. Two peas in the same pod, yes we are. Or have I read too much fiction? 8. Blowing through the jasmine in mind. (Summer Breeze - Seals and Croft; guessed by Rebekah) 9. The Midwest farmer’s daughters really make you feel alright. (California Girls - The Beach Boys; guessed by Tony) 10. When I’m a walking, I strut my stuff. (Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes; guessed by Tony) 11. In the shade of willow tree, creeps are crawling over me. Over me and over you. (Staring at the Sun - U2; guessed by Rebekah) 12. You come from Georgia where the peaches grow. They drink lemonade and speak real slow. 13. Well she’s deceiving me, it cuts my security. She’s got control of me. (Sunglasses at Night - Corey Hart; guessed by Tony) 14. Whenever I’m with him something inside is still burning and I’m filled with desire. 15. Twenty-five years ago they spoke out and they broke out of recession and oppression. 16. See me once, see the way I feel. Don’t discard me just because you think I mean you harm. (Don't Let the Sun go Down on Me - Elton John; guessed by Tony) 17. My friends the communist holds meeting in his office. I can’t afford his gas. So I’m stuck here watching TV. (Soak up the Sun - Sheyrl Crow; guessed by Rebekah) 18. Well the streetlights shine down on Blessing Avenue. Lovers they walk by, holding hands two by two. (Girls in Their Summer Clothes - Bruce Springsteen; guessed by Tony) 19. It’s the morning and just we two. I’ll stay with you darling now, I’ll stay with you till my seas are dried up. (Sunshine of Your Love - Cream; guessed by Rebekah) 20. When the weather’s right you got women, you got women on your mind. Have a drink, hav a drive, go out and see what you can find. (In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry; guessed by Rebekah) 21. Little darling, their smiles are returning to their faces. (Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles; guessed by Rebekah) 22. Now every time I go for the mailbox I have to hold myself down. (Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves; guessed by Rebekah) 23. All around, people looking half dead. Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head. (Summer in the City - The Lovin' Spoonful; guessed by Rebekah) 24. The shadows are on the darker side. Behind those doors, it's a wilder ride. 25. Making love out by the lake to our favorite song. Sipping whiskey out the bottle, not thinking about tomorrow. (All Summer Long - Kid Rock; guessed by Tony)
Last season of Saving Grace ended with the shocking execution of Leon Cooley despite Grace’s decision to help try to help clear his name. Equally shocking was, much like when Grace got a second chance when she killed Cooley, she herself was a victim of someone who ended up getting a second chance for themselves so instead it ended up being just a dream for Grace, and for some reason Rhetta.
The third season opens up with Grace trying to get in contact with the person from the dream who naturally is into something bad that Grace and her boys investigate. There is also a subplot with Grace and Ham getting caught in a precarious position which leads to a pretty funny scene at the end of the episode.
Later this season F. Murray Abraham shows up as a co-worker of Earl who conspicuously always wears black and arrives with a bolt of lightning and tries to poach Grace for his cliental when Grace runs into one of his former assignments. For a preview of tonight’s episode, check out the clip below:
Saving Grace airs Tuesdays at 10:00 on TNT and is preceeded by new shows Wedding Day at 8:00 and Hawthorne at 9:00 (check back later for a preview of the series). You can stream current episodes of the show over at TNT.tv. You can also download Saving Grace on iTunes or on Amazon Video on Demand (see below):
Quote of the Week: Hey, my boobs are awesome. (Rebecca Logan, Greek)
Song of the Week: Does anyone know what song was played at the end of Rescue Me?
Big News of the Week: Digital Conversion Finally Happened: After almost a year of postponements, the digital conversion finally happened last night so hopefully you can still get all your channels today. I’m just glad we don’t have to sit through all those reminders.
I would also like to point out this week I took part in a survey over at TV Blips who asked TV Bloggers their thoughts on the recent cancelations and renewal for next fall. Head over there to read my thoughts.
Coalition Links of the Week: So, Futurama is back. Buzz wonders: Is this cause for celebration — or just puzzlement? (BuzzSugar)
This past week was a lot of fun. Jimmy Fallon & his guests had us laughing. Top Chef Masters returned to make us hungry. And our favorite reality show, So You Think You Can Dance, made us want to dance. (Give Me My Remote)
Not even a pretty face and an English accent can save the hyper-mediocre new show Mental. (TiFaux)
Vance thought it was such a strong first week Top 20 performance, that he doesn't know who to love right now on So You Think You Can Dance!(Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace reviewed the first four episodes of Season Two of True Blood, talked to Alan Ball about what to expect this season, and had a candid interview with Virtuality co-creator Michael Taylor about the upcoming FOX airing of the two-hour pilot. (Televisionary)
This week, the TV Addict shone the spotlight on the Broadway invasion that is upon us when the new slate of shows premiere this Fall 2009. (The TV Addict)
The more he reads about various Flash Forward characters, the more excited Matt gets about this show. (TV Fanatic)
Pushing Daisies: Holy Fred Williamson sighting! And he gets his head twisted off! It is depressing that tonight is the last episode ever. Or at least for ten years when networks try to recycle ideas from the ’00. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Did they just have the relatives of everyone involved on standby? First Rod Blagoavich isn’t allowed to leave the country so his wife goes instead. The first time Heidi and Spencer bolt, they bring in another Baldwin and the second time it is Heidi’s sister that joins the show. And why are they still adding people? I thought this was only going on three weeks, but they are adding more people then are getting voted off. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.com.
Greek: Aw, homecoming, one of only two days of the year when it is socially acceptable to start drinking before noon. You can stream current episodes over at ABCFamily.com. You can also download Greek on iTunes.
Rescue Me: Yeah, Tommy drinking again is not going to end well. And with White Shawn off having surgery, is Black Shawn going to be the new Dumb to Mike’s Dumber? Them trying to keep from telling Tommy’s cousin he was drinking again was pretty funny. You can stream current episodes over at Hulu.
Free Download of the Week: Royal Pains in HD (iTunes): Last week I previewed the new USA show Royal Pains and now you can download the extended pilot for free.
Video of the Week: Oh that wacky Chris Hansen and his undercover cameras. This time Hansen heads to Sin City to catch pimps. As seen by the clip below, one alleged pimp is happy that the he hasn’t been caught by Hansen for his most famous Dateline NBC segment. Dude apparently is such a fan of To Catch a Predator he looks to get an autograph (see clip below). Dateline NBC: Vegas Undercover airs Monday at 10:00 on NBC.
Next Week Pick of the Week: Greek, Monday at 8:00 on ABC Family: The description for the season finale of Greek says that Dale and Calvin make a purity pledge together. Really anything that Dale and Calvin pledge to do together will result in hilarity.
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 Hammertime, Raising the Bar, Weeds, Nurse Jackie, The United States of Tara, America: Wild and Wacky, Wedding Day, World’s Toughest Fixes and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
- Step up MC Hammer, you’re the latest has been to get their own reality show. The show premieres this Sunday at 10:00 on A&E. If you cannot wait that long, you can download the first ten minutes of Hammertime on iTunes. I will give the show props for creating the vial video below:
- Hammertime isn’t the only show going with a flash mob for promotion as this “mystery clip” instead goes with the hall and Oats classic You Make My Dreams Come True for their promotion. Of course it is not such a mystery to who put on the clip because the show’s logo is not so subleably shown. But anyways.
- You may remember during my preview of Raising the Bar, I mentioned Zach Morris has a run in with a new judge, here is a first look at his courtroom from Monday’s episode:
- I am still working my way through season three of Weeds, but apparently they just premiered the fifth one. Thoughout the season, Andy will be sharing some his knowledge at they newly opened University of Andy like Surviving a Bear Attack, Starting a Band and Holding Your Liquor (see below):
- In other Showtime news, they must have really been impressed with Nurse Jackie because they have already renewed it for a second season. But then again they like renewing their shows early. Much like The United States of Tara who will see Academy Award nominee Viola Davis (Doubt) show up for seven episodes when the show returns.
- Out of the 1000 channels I have, I don’t think The Smithsonian Channel is one of them. But if you do, on July 5 at 4:00 they will be celebrating the seventy-second birthday of Spam on America: Wild and Wacky.
As altruistic as it sounds, as a dude, I think I will pass on Wedding Date, the new reality series from Mark Burnett where they give deserving couple a wedding they deserve. To keep with that altruistic theme, for those that take the subways in New York City, you may just get a free cab ride next Monday as a collection of 25 dressed-up brides will stand in front Grand Central Terminal (8 a.m. to noon), and Penn Station (3-6 p.m.) to direct cab riders to specially outfitted Wedding Day taxis for a free ride. Also, TNT will be screening the first episode on the CNN board in Times Square at approximately 8:00 p.m.
- If you tuned into Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last week to see the Dave Matthews Band perform, you may have seen Fallon interview World’s Toughest Fixes host Sean Riley. You can find behind the scene photos over at NationalGeographic.com and check out the interview below:
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.
Somewhat reminiscent of their last video Eh Hee with Dave Matthews getting abused with the camera doing weird speed effects. Well, at least the song is great.
Nothing more unintentionally funny then when The Killers try to go for an epic video. But all I could think when watching it is the Enrique Iglesias video Hero (with Mickey Rourke and Jennifer Love Hewitt).
Have you ever wondered what The Fray would sound like if there were fronted by Adam Levine of Maroon 5? Well if so you will want to check out The Script. Lead singer Danny O'Donoghue does his best blue eyed soul over the melodic music. But much like The Fray (or Maroon 5 to a lesser extent), their self-titled album is mostly mediocre with throwaway tracks a plenty. But also like The Fray, they are able to crank out one or two tracks that hit an emotional chord and on The Script, that song is The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, a song that follows a guy who hoped to reunite with a past love by camping out at the place where their first met.
Mat Kearney busted on the scene three years ago thanks to some helpful television placements and a quirky half sung, half spoken word type delivery. The rapping Chris Martin set him apart from the other Coldplay wannabes that scattered the landscape during the middle of this decade. Which makes you wonder why he dropped all the spoken word delivery for his sophomore album City of Black & White. The result is none of the songs here really stand out especially after realizing Fire & Rain isn’t a James Taylor cover.
City of Black & White gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.
There is nothing better in music than a great blues song. Even blues that isn’t that great is still pretty good and that is where the Blues Caravan: Guitars and Feathers falls into. The main problem with the album is most of the songs are nondescript and it is sometimes hard to distinguish one from another. Most songs are originals from Deborah Colman, Candye Kane and Dani Wilde with a couple covers thrown in from Ray Charles and Willie Dixon. But if you have some hankering for some blues, this disk will certainly be sufficient.
Blues Caravan: Guitars and Feathers gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.
You don’t become one of the Seven Wonders of the World by chance and the giant heads of Easter Island made the list thanks to the size and number of them spread throughout the island. An like many of their companions on the list, one is quick to ask “why and how?” But unlike some of the other wonders, there were not that many original inhabitants around to answer such questions.
Ever since Easter Sunday on 1722 when the Dutch discovered the most remote island in the world, archeologist have been puzzled by these mysteries and science has started to piece the puzzles together which is featured on the most recent episode of Explorer: Easter Island Underworld premiering tonight at 10:00 on the National Geographic Channel. Thanks to science we know think we know where the original inhabitants came from, how they died out, why they build the heads and why. You can check out a clip of the show below:
With the wedding out of the way, the fifth season of The Closer starts up with no bells and whistles, just Brenda Leigh trying to figure out a family of four. Naturally the investigation quickly turns to the father who wasn’t around when the bodies of his wife, two kids and mother in law were found. Once tracked down, Brenda tries to worker her magic to solve the case. And an unexpected run in with the FBI complicates the case.
With a ring on her finger, it looks like there will be more change on the horizon for Brenda as Kyra Sedgwick says the theme of this season is change. And that seems to hit home in the first episode with someone close to her becoming gravely sick. Series creator James Duff adds to that change theme, “After four seasons of really getting to know these characters, the fifth season marks a great time to see how they react to major changes both inside and outside the squad room. We’re very excited about where we’re taking Brenda and her squad in the coming year. Check below for a preview clip:
The Closer airs Mondays at 9:00 on TNT and is directly followed by Raising the Bar at 10:00 (see my Preview here). You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download The Closer on iTunes or on Amazon Video on Demand (see below):
The main reason for watching the first season of Raising the Bar was because of Zach Morris’s hair. It was memorizing in how a lawyer would walk into a courtroom with a caveman mane. So it came to much of a shock when the promotional photos for the second season were released and Zach Morris was back to his Zach Morris locks (albeit a little darker). Did they not learn anything from the story of Samson? Will the second season be as watchable with having to stare at the long hair?
Luckily as the season premiere starts up tomorrow at 10:00 on TNT, we still get to see Zach in all his hairy glory before he finally goes under the scissors (while defending a barber at that). Aside from the haircut, not much has changed, Lindsay Warner is going through with her divorce while still hoping for a Bayside reunion with Zach and an inevitable love triangle is finally looking to solidify its side with the district attorney he was shacking up with in the pilot.
And to answer the question, will the show still be watchable after Zach lopped of his hair: yes. Mostly thanks to John Michael Higgins (Best in Show) who shows up as an anal retentive judge who butts heads with Zach over the rules of his court to plenty of laughs. We even learn what happens when a lawyer doesn’t wave the readings, something I have wondered about since first hearing it. Also this season, the lawyers go at each other on cases ranging from drug dealing, child pornography, and hate crimes. Check out the clip below for a preview:
Raising the Bar airs at 10:00 on TNT and is preceded by a new season of The Closer at 9:00. You can stream episodes after they air over at TNT.tv. You can also download episodes of Raising the Bar on iTunes.
![Terror Alert Level: High [ORANGE]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebDZ0qqwOVKMZj7oFSUe8Hm3ax54U9Hp1fThJPgiddTyzcdwx_5SV6E3b7hkKyxbaDiym4COmUXT2YJnsKCUjBHI_a2xZtNoY7qFQRslP5AGO5gLkJwn2ZbO0wIF80ycbKrgPPA/s400/small_high.png)
on my Terror Alert Scale. 
![Terror Alert Level: Elevated [YELLOW]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-iVFV0hXCTSYP16K_V0Rrxp3GqFrtBIJKeTUyQ2LpxZQ9XKHFj6QGtqqa7oxhLadLV8vUj8R84AftD8IKUSfN0u_u0CYDtJwhrpCPN2DBWquAIDv0jbVlhZL0mDFKlPKluGyxw/s400/small_elevated.png)
on my 
with Jonah Hill as Bruno, Michael Cera as Otter and Megan Fox as Katy we can rest in the solace that they can use a respectable replacement for Otis Day and the Nights in 
even gets a shout out in Bobby Booshay.![Terror Alert Level: Severe [RED]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjcsCV5I3jWQDVTcnVoXbArSx3kHl02FZ8FkOHBBKP2w8mQulcCF614SIw1GjuB2JtKV2YcQOKXtMlnW2ulLSOvYvvXzDwZ3JF4Mlh0Dt2nfEL1oGLh0sk7O-GRHWbCPvJmMMKg/s400/small_severe.png)
on my 
(Rome, Deadwood, Band of Brothers)
on Showtime, the fall sees NBC’s foray into the profession with Mercy, while TNT premieres Hawthorne which sets itself apart by having the lead have RN in her name. But really not much else.
) is said title character who is the head nurse at Richmond Trinity and the show picks up on the one year anniversary of the death of her husband. We are not that privy as to how it happen, just bits and pieces leak out in the first couple episodes on how he died. But naturally it causes some strain between her and her daughter and mother-law (Joanna Cassidy; yes, the white one) as it did happen at the hospital.
) who is just as wooden as ever, not that the female patrons will care much as the Chief of Surgery. Smith’s right hand woman is Suleka Mather (
) who self proclaimed damaged good (we do get to find out why she thinks that in a did that really just happened moment). David Julian Hirsh (Lovebites) is your comic relief, which is kind of sexist being the lone male nurse on staff.
) isn’t officially in the cast but gets much more screen time, and better storylines, in the first couple episodes than Moore as a rookie nurse. It did look like Moore was going to be a nurse that gives her patients a little too much TLC, but that seemed to be quickly dropped after first alluded to.
- Kid Rock; guessed by Tony)
) who shows up as an anal retentive judge who butts heads with Zach over the rules of his court to plenty of laughs. We even learn what happens when a lawyer doesn’t wave the readings, something I have wondered about since first hearing it. Also this season, the lawyers go at each other on cases ranging from drug dealing, child pornography, and hate crimes. Check out the clip below for a preview: