30 Best Albums of 2007

In a story I broke last week, 2007 is the most mediocre year ever. Case in point, last year’s Best Albums of the Year list had fifty albums on it, this year it was hard to scrape thirty this year. Yeah there were a couple albums that could have gotten on this list but I never got around to listening to the whole thing and thus never reviewed (Linkin Park, Jay-Z), but for the most part I got hold of most everything I wanted to review, it was just not that much music this year and of those that I did review there really wasn’t anything great.

Two albums you definitely won’t be seeing on this list are Konvicted by Akon and T.I. vs. T.I.P. even though I got both for Christmas. Should I be offended that someone thought about me, “Now there is someone who would like listening to Akon”? But anyways. If you are interested in reading my original review of these albums, check out the link below the album and if you are interested in buying them on iTunes, click on the album link. If you want to buy the physical CD, head over to Scooter McGavin’s Amazon Store where you can order them there:


1. As I Am - Alicia Keys
It’s My Time, Said it’s My Time to Shine

2. Magic - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
I Just Want to Feel Some Rhythm

3. Alright, Still - Lily Allen
Sun Is in the Sky, oh Why, oh Why Would I Wanna Be Anywhere Else

4. Easy Tiger - Ryan Adams
I’m Open All Night and the Customers Come to Stay

5. Graduation - Kanye West
They Say I Talk with So Much Emphasis

6. Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
I Told Ya I Was Trouble

7. Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Remember When He Used to be a Rascal

8. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Spoon
I Wanna Forget How Convention Fits

9. Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool - Lupe Fiasco
But I Sphinx Like Leon

10. Little Voice - Sara Bareilles
There’ll Be Girls Across the Country that’ll Eat this Up

11. Chase This Light - Jimmy Eat World
Because Tonight the World Turned in Me

12. Luvanmusiq - Musiq Soulchild
I Ain’t No Hood, No Crook, No Robber

13. Finding Forever - Common
Can’t Leave Rap Alone the Streets Need Me

14. Wild Hope - Mandy Moore
I Was a Starling, Nobody’s Darling

15. Echo, Silence, Patience and Grace - Foo Fighters
I’m Finished Making Sense, Done Pleading Ignorance

16. Icky Thump - The White Stripes
The Hills Are Pretty and Rollin’

17. 100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
He May Be Mellow, He May Be Kind

18. Coco - Colbie Caillat
You Make Me Smile Please Stay for a While

19. This Is Ryan Shaw - Ryan Shaw
If I Got You We Have More than Money

20. Lifeline - Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals
Dance with Me to the Colors of the Dusk

21. The Reminder - Feist
Musings From the Back 9: Music Edition V

22. Freedom’s Road - John Mellencamp
I Like My Heroes to Be Honest and Strong

23. It Won’t Be Soon Before Long - Maroon 5
We Must Free Up These Tired Souls

24. Eardrum - Talib Kweli
It Ain’t Old School, New School, it’s True School Rap

25. Carnival Ride - Carrie Underwood
Here’s to You Hairbrush Singers and Dashboard Drummers

26. Not Too Late - Norah Jones
Love in the Time of War Is not Fair

27. Dramatic Fantastic - KT Tunstall
The World Will Turn if You’re Ready or Not

28. The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant - Wyclef Jean
Break Is Over Man, I’m Back with My Ink Pen

29. Combinations - Eisley
Listen to Me, You Pull Me Apart

30. Planet Earth - Prince
I Know U Hear Me Like a Whisper in Ur Ear

25 Best Mash-Ups of 2007

One of the coolest musical innovations in recent memory is the mash-up. For those that may not be familiar with the term, it can best be described when you take the vocals from one song and place them over the instrumental from a different song. The artform may have not gotten as much press this year as it has in past years but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great new mash-ups floating around the internet. I tried to give credit to the creator of the mash-up, but due to some poor labeling, some have gotten lost and I even had to create a name for a few mash-ups that I discovered nameless. Also some of these songs may have been created earlier than 2007 but this is a list of songs I’ve found this year.

Please do not ask for me to send you any of these songs because for legal reasons I cannot confirm or deny that any of these songs actually exist (but I will point out there is a Google search box on the sidebar as well as other helpful links). You know, because I would not illegally download copyrighted material even though that material has been altered from any version that could be bought anywhere. If you want the unaltered album version of the songs, on the second line I will list the main songs that make up the mash-up (note some have more songs than I’ve listed):


1. Dip it Joe - Pheugoo
Christina Milian (Dip It Low) vs. Jimi Hendrix Experience (Hey Joe)

2. Escasy of Gold - DJ Erb
Nas (One Mic) vs. Ennio Morricone (The Ecstasy of Gold)

3. Lord Move Me on Up - locK3Down
DMX (Lord Give Me a Sign) vs. Primal Scream (Movin’ on Up)

4. Mashups in Heaven - Norwegian Recycling
Eric Clapton (Tears in Heaven) vs. Lionel Ritchie (Say You, Say Me)

5. Red Umbrella - DJ Topcat
Rihanna (Umbrella) vs. UB40 (Red, Red Wine)

6. Keep the Car Crazy - DJ Vic
Beyoncé (Crazy in Love) vs. Arcade Fire (Keep the Car Running)

7. Listen Twice - DJ BC
Talib Kweli (Listen!!!) vs. The Doobie Brothers (Listen to the Music)

8. Clock a Minute - Pheugoo
The Pussycat Dolls featuring Timbaland (Wait a Minute) vs. Coldplay (Clocks)

9. The World Changes on its Own - Cro
Amy Winehouse (Tears Dry on Their Own) vs. Eric Clapton (Change the World)

10. Mercy for the Scientist - Bobby Martini
Peter Gabriel (Mercy Street) vs. Coldplay (The Scientist)

11. Drop it Like it’s a Whole LottLed Snooppelin - Party Ben
Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams (Drop it Like it’s Hot) vs. Led Zeppelin (Whole Lotta Love)

12. Got My Crush Set on You - DJ BC
Lil’ Ceaz and Lil’ Kim (Crush on You) vs. George Harrison (Got My Mind Set on You)

13. (Are You Gonna Be My) Dirrrty Girl - Soundhog
Christina Aguilera featuring Redman (Dirrty) vs. Jet (Are You Gonna Be My Girl)

14. How Six Songs Collide - Norwegian Recycling
Jason Mraz (I’m Yours) vs. Howie Day (Collide)

15. You Don’t Know My Sweet Emotion - Aggro1
Alicia Keys (You Don’t Know My Name) vs. Aerosmith (Sweet Emotion)

16. Stir Up Problems - McSleazy
Jay-Z (99 Problems) vs. Charlatans (Song Unknown)

17. The Weather Episode - Go Home Productions
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg (The Next Episode) vs. Crowded House (Weather with You)

18. Turn Off Bubba - Norwegian Recycling
Nelly Furtado (Turn Off the Light) vs. Bubba Sparxxx (Deliverance)

19. Gimmie the Nightclub - Dan Meth
50 Cent (In da Club) vs. George Benson (Give Me the Night)

20. My Favorite Name - Loo & Placido
Destiny’s Child (Say My Name) vs. The Cardigans (My Favourite Game)

21. More Falls Down - DJ Crook Air
Kanye West (All Falls Down) vs. Len (Steal My Sunshine)

22. Woohaa - DJ Nicky
Busta Rhymes (Woo Ha!! Got You All in Check) vs. AC/DC (Back in Black)

23. Killing Boombastic - DJ Zebra
Shaggy (Boombastic) vs. Rage Against the Machine (Killing in the Name)

24. Puppet Rock - CCC
Queen (We Will Rock You) vs. 5th Dimension (Puppet Man)

25. Penthouse Temperature - Essexboy
Sean Paul (Temperature) vs. Alan Braxe and Fred Fauke (Penthouse Serenade)

(Psst... Here is number 1, do not tell the RIAA)

25 Best Music Videos of 2007

It is really hard to complain about MTV and VH1 no longer showing videos anymore because who these days wants to wade through videos that they hand pick when you have almost every video ever made at your disposal whenever you want on sites like YouTube? And here are the best of the best of from the past twelve months. I have embedded the first couple videos, the rest you can click the link to follow to YouTube and if you are interested in buying the videos, click the iTunes links. Now I should mention some of these videos are not safe for work but really nothing on YouTube is all the safe for work because I’m sure you boss wouldn’t be thrilled even if your watching a video of a cat playing with a ball of yarn. But anyways:


1. Can't Tell Me Nothing - Kanye West



2. Trapped in the Closet Chapter 1-12 Recap - R. Kelly



3. Rockstar - Nickelback



4. Throw Some D's - Kanye West



5. Drivin’ Me Wild - Common featuring Lily Allen




6. Windows in the Skies (Modernista Version) - U2

7. Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys

8. Smiley Faces - Gnarls Barkley

9. 1234 - Feist

10. Halloweenhead - Ryan Adams

11. Alfie - Lily Allen

12. Conquest - The White Stripes

13. Read My Mind - The Killers

14. Hot in Herre - Jenny Owen Youngs

15. Oh My God - Mark Ronson featuring Lily Allen

16. Hang Me Up to Dry - Cold War Kids

17. Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John featuring Victoria Bergsman

18. Stronger - Kanye West

19. Sinkin’ Soon - Norah Jones

20. What I've Done - Linkin Park

21. Ever Ever After - Carrie Underwood

22. Love Song - Sara Bareilles

23. LDN - Lily Allen

24. Sensual Seduction - Snoop Dogg

25. Long Road to Ruin - Foo Fighters

The 9th Green’s Readers Favorite Songs of 2007

Before I get to your favorite songs of the year I first want to mention that just before Christmas I had ordered a gift for someone through Amazon and among the usual spam advertising slips that they stuff into their boxes there was an envelope where you can place old cell phones to send to the troops. So if you got a new cell phone for Christmas or are just like me and is a pack rat who keeps everything for no reason and had three just lying around collecting dust, please check out this website: Cell Phones for Soldiers to see where you can send any of your unused cell phones. They say the phone can be in any condition and don’t even need to still have a battery.

Last year was the first time I ever let you my readers influences the 9th Green (aside from the occasional pandering for comments) and this year I got four times more responses than last. Thanks to each and everyone who took time to compile your favorite songs of the year to make this list possible. With the more responses I think this ended up being a better list for the most part than last year. This year Rihanna was as close to consensus as it got this year being the only artist appearing on more than half of the lists I received. Keep in mind this list is solely your opinions and I in no way influenced it as I will be unveiling my favorite 100 songs of the year coming this Sunday. But here are your favorites:


1. Umbrella - Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

2. Stronger - Kanye West

3. Rehab - Amy Winehouse

4. Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John

5. The Way I Are - Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson and D.O.E.

6. Radio Nowhere - Bruce Springsteen

7. 1234 - Feist

8. What Goes Around.../...Comes Around - Justin Timberlake

9. Again & Again - The Bird and the Bee

10. U + Ur Hand - P!nk

11. Love Song - Sarah Bareilles

12. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... - Jay-Z

13. Bonafied Lovin - Chromeo

14. It's Not Over - Daughtry

15. Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's

16. Lost - Michael Bublé

17. Must Be the Moon - !!!

18. Icky Thump - The White Stripes

19. Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

20. Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

21. The Ain't a Scene, it's an Arms Race - Fall Out Boy

22. Where I Stood - Missy Higgins

23. Stranger - Hilary Duff

24. Apologize - OneRepublic and Timbaland

25. The Man - Pete Yorn

40 Worst Songs of 2007

It seems as the years go by the music on the radio gets worse and worse thanks in part this year to karaokers, mom rockers, pseudo-punk rockers, and ringtone rappers that polluted the air worse than any Hummer. And can we please stop inviting Akon to sing on every song? In honor of the top 40 radio stations that have ruined radio here are the forty worst songs of the year even though I bet playlists are down to 25-30 songs these day.

Before I get into the worst of this year, I would like to make a special mention of Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya) by Ahslee Simpson which is too new to make this list but has certainly set the bar pretty high (or low depending how you look at it) for the Worst Songs of 2008. But anyways. Feel free to leave the songs that really irritated you this year in the comment section and of course if you disagree with any of my selections, you have the power to influence the 9th Green Reader’s Favorite Songs of 2007 Poll:


1. This Is Why I’m Hot - Mims

2. Big Girl’s Don’t Cry (Personal) - Fergie

3. Piece of Me - Britney Spears

4. It’s Not Over - Daughtry

5. Straight to the Bank - 50 Cent

6. Let Me Talk to You (Prelude) / My Love - Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.

7. Lip Gloss - Lil’ Mama

8. Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’) - T-Pain featuring Yung Joc

9. U and Ur Hand - P!nk

10. A Bay Bay - Hurricane Chris

11. I Don’t Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem) - Good Charlotte

12. Ayo Technology - 50 featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland

13. Home - Daughtry

14. Bartender - T-Pain featuring Akon

15. Whatever U Like - Nicole Scherzinger featuring T.I.

16. Gimme More - Britney Spears

17. Amusement Park - 50 Cent

18. Tattoo - Jordin Sparks

19. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani featuring Akon

20. Glamorous - Fergie featuring Ludacris

21. I Get Money - 50 Cent

22. Chocolate Rain - Tay Zonday

23. Teenagers - My Chemical Romance

24. Crack That (Soulja Boy) - Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em

25. Come to Me - Diddy featuring Nicole Scherzinger

26. Love Stoned / I Think She Knows Interlude - Justin Timberlake

27. Cloths Off!!! - Gym Class Heroes featuring Patrick Stump

28. Over You - Daughtry

29. Sorry, Blame it On Me - Akon

30. Grace Kelly - MIKA

31. Who Knew - P!nk

32. Summer Love - Justin Timberlake

33. Better Than Me - Hinder

34. Walk it Out - Unk

35. Wait for You - Elliot Yamin

36. Don’t Matter - Akon

37. Break Anotha - Blake Lewis

38. So Hott - Kid Rock

39. Get Me Bodied - Beyoncé

40. Don’t Waste Your Time - Kelly Clarkson

Worst Albums of 2007

Since I have been completing my favorite songs of the year list for over a decade, thought out the years I hear five or songs and think, there a potential overall number one for this year. The thing is, this year not one song that came out that made me think that making me wonder if 2007 could be the worst year for music in my lifetime overtaking 1999. That was until I started compiling this list of the worst albums of the year and noticed that there were not that many bad albums. This year only two albums garnered the Low Terror Alert level compared with five last year (plus Paris Hilton who is still the only artist to get the elusive Terror Alert Black), and six the year before.

This could also be because there just seemed to be a lot less music period this year. Last year I reviewed about a hundred albums but this year just over fifty got reviewed. But looking over potential songs that will make the top 100 songs of the year, there does seem to be an overabundance of good songs, just not any great ones. In face, the fiftieth best song this year may be the best fiftieth song of all time. So I am ready to declare 2007 the Most Mediocre Year Ever.

With that said, there are a few albums that need to be noted for their unlistenablity. Here are the worst of the worst album that I reviewed in the past five months. If you are interested in reading my original review, click the link below the album, the album link goes to iTunes if you enjoy torture.


1. Blackout - Britney Spears
Musings from the Back 9: 90's Disposable Pop Edition

2. Curtis - 50 Cent
No More Platinum, I'm Wearing Gold

3. Jordin Sparks - Jordin Sparks
I Can't Waste Time so Give it a Moment

4. Underclass Hero - Sum 41
I'm a Voice to Offend

5. Shock Value - Timbaland
I've Been Killin em with These Beats

6. Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee
I Want This to Be Over, I So Want This to Be Through

7. Dignity - Hilary Duff
You Wanna Know Why I Look Sad and Lonely

8. Taking Chances - Céline Dion
I Had My Heart Beaten Down but I Always Come Back for More

9. Double Up - R. Kelly
Man, it’s Three’s Company, Call Me Jack Tripper

10. My December - Kelly Clarkson
You're Going Crazy, Running on Empty

11. Spider-Man 3 Soundtrack
Musings from the Back 9: Music Edition vol. V

12. Unbreakable - Backstreet Boys
Musings from the Back 9: 90's Disposable Pop Edition vol. II

13. Zeitgeist - Smashing Pumpkins
Despite All My Rage I am Still Just a Rat in a Cage

14. Good Girl Gone Bad - Rihanna
Now that it's Raining More than Ever

15. Infinity on High - Fall Out Boy
Long Live the Car Crash Hearts

25 Best Live Performances of 2007

While watching Live Earth earlier this year with all the great music, it crossed my mind to come up with the greatest live performances of the past twelve month. And with the Grammy’s, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the thousands of other pat themselves on the back events that the music business throws for themselves, it wasn’t hard to populate a list. I did throw out the talk show performances because 99% of them are just boring rehashes of their album versions. But here are the best of the best of 2007 with links to YouTube where available (and if you have the mp3 of any of them shout me a holla because there are a couple I would like that I haven’t hunted down yet):


1. Gimme Shelter - Keith Urban and Alicia Keys (Live Earth)



2. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley (49th Annual Grammy Awards)



3. Check the Rhyme/Award Tour - A Tribe Called Quest (2007 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors)

4. Like a Star/Coming Home/Gravity - Corrine Bailey Rae, John Legend and John Mayer (49th Annual Grammy Awards)



5. Darling Nikki - Cee-Lo and Foo Fighters (2007 MTV Video Music Awards)



6. Big Bottom - Spinal Tap and an Army of Bassists (Live Earth)

7. Bonita Applebum/Electric Relaxation/Scenario - Common, Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco and Busta Rhymes (2007 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors)

8. Man on the Moon - R.E.M. and Eddie Vedder (2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony)

9. No One/Freedom ’90 - Alicia Keys (2007 MTV Video Music Awards)

10. Not Ready to Make Nice - The Dixie Chicks (49th Annual Grammy Awards)

11. Roxanne - The Police (49th Annual Grammy Awards)

12. Sabotage - Beastie Boys (Live Earth)

13. Go Your Own Way - Carrie Underwood and Lindsay Buckingham (Fashion Rocks)

14. That’s the Thing about Love - Alicia Keys (Live Earth)

15. Message in a Bottle - The Police, John Mayer and Kanye West (Live Earth)

16. Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna and Fall Out Boy (2007 MTV Video Music Awards)

17. Mercy Mercy Me - Corrine Bailey Rae and John Legend (Live Earth)

18. White Lines/Good Times/The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony)

19. Drummers - SOS All Stars (Live Earth)

20. For the Love of Money/Living for the City/Mercy Mercy Me - Alicia Keys (Live Earth)

21. Waiting on the World to Change - John Mayer (Live Earth)

22. Bleed it Out - Linkin Park (2007 MTV Video Music Awards)

23. Rehab - Amy Winehouse (2007 MTV Movie Awards)

24. Babylon - David Gray and Damien Rice (Live Earth)

25. Heart of Glass - Blondie and Lily Allen (The Today Show)

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. XIII

Quote of the Week: I’m getting married in two hours and fifty years ago. (Olivia, Journeyman)

Song of the Week: Perfidia - Alberto Dominguez (Journeyman)

Big News of the Week: Late Night Coming Back: It seemed like every day this week a new late night show announced its comeback with Worldwide Pants conducting a separate deal with its writers for the Late and Late Late Shows. Then Leno and Conan announced a January second return date with Jimmy Kimmel following with a return the same day. Let’s see if the twenty or so classless writers heckle any of them like they did Carson Daly did this week. You just completely disrespected Carson, Jerry Rice, and the Last Call staff, for what, so you can look like annoying teenagers. If you want to heckle Carson because he is a humongous tool, fine, but it is really selfish to think because you want more money, that means Carson and the rest of his staff shouldn’t be able to put presents under their trees and food on their tables. And this is yet another reason why you are going to end up losing this fight.

Classic Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:



Coalition Links of the Week:

BuzzSugar: This week, we got pumped about new previews for Lost and Heroes, celebrated the addition of Saved by the Bell to The N, and asked one very important question: Team Serena or Team Blair?

Daemon's TV: This week Sandie took a first look at pictures from the second season of Jericho. Araya posted part three of our interview with the cast of Chuck, including Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, and Adam Baldwin. Eric shared his thoughts on the pilot of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Glowy Box: After answering some googled questions about Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency and Cash and Treasures, Liz celebrated the holiday season by recapping Pinocchio’s Christmas, which was surprisingly lacking in likeable characters, and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, the classic Christmastime ode to freedom and Democracy.

Mikey Likes TV: The graciously closure-filled season finale of Dexter put Mikey in the holiday spirit, so he started his countdown of the top 10 shows of 2007 with a look at why he loves 30 Rock so much.

Pop Vultures: This week, Marcia continued her obsession with TV's opening titles by naming the 5 best opening credits sequences, although she's fairly certain no one will agree with her choices. She then managed to gather her thoughts about the Dexter season finale. Also, guest poster Tracey checked in with a woman-on-the-scene report from Monday's strike lines.

RTVW: This week our TV Advent Calendar featured a bonus Bones scene under the mistletoe and we sounded off about our favorite holiday TV. Plus, Rae wondered how an episode of Scarecrow & Mrs King could still be considered "promotional."

Tapeworthy: Merry Ludachristmas! Vance went to "30 Rock" in New York and saw Christmas marathon of stage shows, including the Rockettes, Wintuk and The Grinch Musical (and the White Christmas The Musical back in Toronto). Also back in Toronto, Project Runway Canada had its finale with host Iman getting her regal final word in.

Televisionary: This week, Jace was blown away by the sheer genius of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's series-ender special of Extras, enraptured by the extended trailer for Season Four of Lost, and felt justified with his picks for the best TV of 2007.

TiFaux: This week, we ended up watching more TV on the internet than on the actual tube. That is, shows produced exclusively for the internet. First, there's the indie rock/comedy duo of Carrie Brownstein (of Sleater-Kinney) and Fred Armisen (of SNL) who produce the pretty darn funny Thunderant series. Then, there's hipster comedians Gabe and Jenny, who created an awesome clip spoofing The Hills. Rounding out the week, Kyle noticed a weird similarity between Pushing Daisies and Bill Murray's Groundhog Day.

The TV Addict: offered up an early review of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles, interviewed Smallville's Allison Mack and Krisin Kreuk and wrote an Ode to Journeyman.

Tube Talk: Jennifer overdosed on Christmas movies, Ashley shared her favorite TV holiday episodes and readers chimed in with their choices, too, (Chrismukkah and Happy Festivus anyone?) and we rejoiced at the news that (Scooter's Note: Smallville casting spoiler ahead). Merry Christmas everyone!

TV Filter: Raoul interviewed Todd from Survivor. Kate discovered, much to her dismay, that she liked Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants and counted down her favorite not-too-Christmassy Christmas episodes of the past.

TV With MeeVee: We talked to Donald Trump and Gene Simmons - yup - about the upcoming Celebrity Apprentice. We rocked the news that Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick has a rock band. And we taught you how to identify Cylons without having sex with them.


Survivor: Going in, I actually thought that I had correctly guessed the winner after the first week for the second season in a row only for Amanda pull out the worst final tribal council performance since that old dude who lost to the porn star when he started berating the jury for the questions they asked (I want to say that was Marquises). Amanda instead went with some woe is me approach to let Todd steal the win. She even actually got fewer votes than Courtney. How does that happen? A fitting end to the season with some of the dumbest contestants ever. Granted dumb equals entertaining. Next up Survivor pulls something from the MTV Challenges playbook with All Stars vs. fanatics. Hopefully it is better than the all All Star season which ranked near the bottom in entertainment value. Check out the latest episode over at Innertube.

Survivor: China gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.




Journeyman: The first episode was easily the best hour of the show, but maybe not for the reasons the writers wanted me to. The absurdity that this new technology changed nothing in present day other than a new kind of PDA, oh, and a daughter instead of a son was just insane. The scene with Dan finding out that he now has a girl may be the most unintentionally funny thing of the year. I was half heartedly hoped that after Dan came back home to find Zach, that Caroline would then come running down the stairs. Oh well.

But the last two episode showed just where the should could have gone with the daughter and the other journeyman making it so he never met his wife. But you got to wonder if the last two episodes were so good only because the writers saw the imminent cancellation and wanted to pull out all the stops. And if so, would these episodes been as bland as the first couple if it were not in trouble?

There in lies the problem with most shows of this ilk, it seems the writers have a five or so year road map of what they want to do, but they spread out the special attractions that there is too much time driving in the corn fields of Iowa that you sometimes have to wonder if it is worth the full drive. Is it that hard to put in something interesting and important in ever episodes, not just premieres, finales and sweeps episodes? Check out the latest episode over at NBC.com. You can also download Journeyman on iTunes.


100 Best Songs of the 90’s: I really hate it when VH1 compiles these list because there are fairly predictable (you really don’t think they will go out on a limb and put anything besides Smells Like Teen Spirit at number one) yet extremely addictive and I have found myself peeking in on it throughout the week. And since it will be repeated excessively since the next VH1 list, I’m sure I will have seen the whole list by New Years even if I didn’t want to. And then everyone around me will here me complain about the list for a while. Seriously VH1, send me a ballot the next time you do one of these list. Also if you need a commentator for it or for the inevitable I Love the ‘00s, shout me a holla.


Promo of the Week: Recently I was watching Dodgeball - A True Underdog Story and who shows up in the movie (besides the Mac guy), none other than Parker from Veronica Mars. Being she was vastly underutilized on the show, especially at the end of the run, I wondered what she was up to these days. After some research I noticed she landed her a recurring role on Eli Stone, whatever that was. After some more research it is apparently a mid-season replacement for ABC (it just so happened to get a timeslot this week with the post Lost slot Thursdays at 10:00). And after seeing this promo (without a Parker sighting, I don’t think she shows up to the third episode) it may be the best or worst thing ever. And the George Michael song isn’t just a random song, supposedly each episode is named after one of songs. Odd choice considering his not so big catalogue. I’m not sure if Wham! titles count.




Next Week’s Pick: #40 on Rolling Stone’s Reasons We Loved Television in ’07 was The writer’s strike for reminding us that our TV has an “off” button and you should utilize that button during the holidays. If you need to escape your family, that’s why God gave us spiked eggnog and champagne. Of course after the holidays are over, be sure to find the “on” by the time the fourth of January comes around for a brand new Friday Night Lights (#38 for using Daniel Johnson’s Devil Town). Now there a good way to start off ’08.