57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CXLI

Quote of the Week: I care about my teammates, and you're my teammate. (Landry, Friday Night Lights)

Song of the Week: When the Night Comes – Dan Auerbach (Friday Night Lights)

Leverage: How MacGyver of Hardison in making the bomb, but still, going back into the lair of dude with semi-automatic weapons was not the brightest idea he has ever had. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Rescue Me: What a mind trip of an episode. I am not sure that is a good thing or a bad thing like a warped version of The Hangover. I am not sure how Uncle Teddy would think lacing Tommy’s drink was a good thing. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: When I rewatch this season, I may have to make a drinking game out of every time Tim tells Becky, “This can’t happen.” Certainly it won’t get me as drunk as the time I drank every time on Deadwood when someone said (expletive deleted)-sucker. but I bet I could get a good buzz. Also I have to give hats off to Landry for his toothpick prank. But do Texans really call that drill jingle-jangles because here above the Mason-Dixon line we have a much less lame name for that: Suicides. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Free Download of the Week: Nat Geo Amazon Sampler (Amazon MP3)

Deal of the Week: Save up to 47% on Action & Adventure (Black Hawk Down (Blu-Ray), Air Force One, Hellboy)

Video of the Week: Hot chicks with guns in a stylized version of the fifties as conceived by the director of 300 and Watchmen? Yes please.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Friday Night Lights, Friday at 8:00 on NBC: I cannot believe it is the season finale already as we get the big showdown between the two Dillon with a playoff birth in the balance for the Panthers and pride for the Lions. Luckily we will be getting another season and here’s hoping DirecTV, with or without NBC, ponies up for a sixth.

Around the Tubes vol. LX

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 True Blood, Friday Night Lights, Community, and Chuck.

- Here is a sneak peak up the upcoming episode of True Blood on Sunday featuring Howard’s girlfriend on The Big Bang Theory:



- Here is a quick two minute replay of last week’s Friday Night Lights:



- Community hit Comic Con last week and here is Allison Brie talking about what she expected:



- Chuck’s Yvonne Strahovski also has some thoughts on Comic-Con:



- Some changes are going on over on CNN and here is a link to Nancy Franklin’s piece from the current issue of The New Yorker about the subject.

I Want My Music Television vol. LXXXVIII

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.


Amongst the Waves (Live) - Pearl Jam



Surfing enthusiast Eddie Vedder had another song about his favorite pastime on the latest Pearl Jam album and with the recent assault on our oceans, no better time that heal out the ecosystem in the Gulf. Proceeds from the U.S. sale of Pearl Jam's video “Amongst the Waves” will benefit Conservation International's Marine Programs. To learn more about this program and Conservation International, visit www.conservation.org/marine


The Fire – The Roots featuring John Legend



When I first saw this new video from The Roots, I had no idea what was going on, then I read this description from directorRik Cordero:

"The Fire" chronicles a post-apocalyptic death march set in 1945 during the final stages of World War II in Europe. After a cataclysmic event renders the war futile, a paramilitary splinter group -- led by a Kurtz-like figure known as The Commodore -- forces the transfer of young men who will be used as labor...and food. The last survivor of the march receives a mysterious White Box which holds the key to survival.

Yep, still no clue.


You Lost Me - Christina Aguilera



It seems clear that Christina Aguilera should take the Eminem route and start disavowing this album like he did Relapse. This video seems like it is trying to be weird and artsy but just doesn’t go far enough instead coming off amateurish. Seriously, what is up with that effect when she sings about being infected?


He's Not a Boy - The Like



Of course The Like go for a retro video to the great retro song.

Sixth Annual Scooter Television Awards

Welcome to the 6th Annual Scooter Television Awards honoring show that aired new episodes between June 2009 and June 2010. Without further ado, here are the winners of the 2010 STA's:

Best Scripted Show: Friday Night Lights

Best Sitcom: Modern Family

Best Cable Show: Justified

Best Reality Show: Survivor

Best Talk Show: Pardon the Interruption

Best New Show: Justified

Best Awards Show: 2010 Grammy Awards

Best Hour of TV: Fire in the Hole - Justified

Best Half Hour of TV: The Adhesive Duck Deficiency – The Big Bang Theory

Biggest Shocker: How lame the final scene of Lost was

Best Moment: Landon Donavan’s goal against Algeria

Worst Idea: JT giving Russell his Hidden Immunity Idol

Best New Title Sequence: Parenthood

Best Song Placement: Circle of Life – Elton John (Modern Family)

Best Karaoke: In the Moonlight (Do You) – Dylan (Modern Family)

Hottest Token Hot Chick:









Best Character: Sheldon Cooper PhD (The Big Bang Theory)

Best New Character: Annie Edison (Community)

Best Cast Addition: Becky Sproles (Friday Night Lights)

Best Guest Appearance: Ed Norton (Modern Family)

Best Duo: Coach and Tami Taylor (Friday Night Lights)

Most Entertaining Male Reality “Star”: Dre P (Tool Academy 2)

Most Entertaining Female Reality “Star”: Casey Cooper (Real World Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins)

Most Annoying Reality “Star”: Russell Hantz (Survivor)

Best Quote: “Use it or throw it away.” (Raylan Gibbons, Justified)

Show That Should Be Brought Back: Lost (but just the flashsideways world of Dr. Ben Linus and John Locke in high school buddy comedy)

Biggest Question for 2009-2010: What is The Event?

The Best Television Shows of 2009-10 Season

A little late this year for my best shows of the season list because I wanted to get a good chunk of Friday Night Lights under my belt before declaring it the best show of the year. Short of Landry killing another dude, I am confident in calling it just that. My list covers shows that air a bulk of their season between June 2009 and July 2009 (so any current summer show will be eligible next year. Here is the makeup of this year’s list.

1. Friday Night Lights, Season 4 (NBC)

2. Justified, Season 1 (FX)

3. Modern Family, Season 1 (ABC)

4. Parenthood, Season 1 (NBC)

5. The Big Bang Theory, Season 3 (CBS)

6. Rescue Me, Season 5 (FX)

7. Sons of Anarchy, Season 2 (FX)

8. Castle, Season 2 (ABC)

9. Leverage, Season 2 (TNT)

10. Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (CBS)



It should be noted that this is the first time a cable network landed the most shows and had more than one show in the top ten. Also notably missing from the list is the final season of Lost in all its excruciating flashsidewardsness. And to show just how far it fell, here is how the other season landed in their respected years:

Season 1: 2nd
Season 2: 4th
Season 3: 8th
Season 4: 7th
Season 5: 6th
Season 6: Not Ranked

Keep in mind, the only other show with five appearances is Survivor (Friday Night Lights presumably will join that club next season assuming Landry doesn’t go on a killing spree). Below is a running tally of what shows racked up the most Quotes and Songs of the week.


Quotes of the Week
Chuck 5
Friday Night Lights 5
The Big Bang Theory 4
Greek 4
Mercy 4
Modern Family 4
Justified 3
Leverage 3
Rescue Me 3
Survivor 3
Castle 2
Community 2
Eli Stone 2
Kings 2
Lost 2
How I Met Your Mother 1
Ochocinco: The ultimate Catch 1
Pardon the Interruption 1
Parenthood 1
Pushing Daisies 1
Raising the Bar 1
Real World/Road Rules: the Ruins 1
Sons of Anarchy 1
Tool Academy 1

Songs of the Week
Rescue Me 7
The Big Bang Theory 4
Chuck 4
Friday Night Lights 4
Greek 4
Pardon the Interruption 4
Mercy 3
Modern Family 3
Parenthood 3
Castle 2
How I Met Your Mother 2
Late Night 2
Lost 2
Sons of Anarchy 2
Trauma 2
Leverage 1
2010 ESPY Awards 1
Community 1
Eli Stone 1
The Philanthropist 1
Pushing Daisies 1

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CXL

Quote of the Week: So, now what do you think about Obama so far Jess? (Mrs. Clarke, Friday Night Lights)

Song of the Week: Thinking of You – Christian Kane (Leverage)

Big News of the Week: Comic-Con: The yearly nerd pilgrimage to San Diego is upon us. Certainly you can find news that is trickling out on site that are actually there (like who mama Bartowski will be played by).

Leverage: This episode featured Bo Duke, Meg Manning, and made an A-Team reference (I love it when a plan comes together; which took them long enough considering I mentioned Leverage was a modern day version of The A-Team back in my original review). If there were a Friday Night Lights references from touching my four favorite television of all time. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Rescue Me: I seem to have gotten ahead of myself a week and mentioned what happened this week, during last week’s installment. Oops. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.

Covert Affairs: If Annie’s identity is so important that she needs a cover job, then why is she taking walk in’s where anyone who walks in can identify her? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Covert Affairs on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: It is a little disturbing that no one on the coaching staff had notice taking forever getting up until this episode. They should have been on that a lot sooner. And does the Sproles household not have a television in the living room to watch movies on. Yeah Tim can plead all he wants that nothing happened, but you shouldn’t share the bed with a girl on her mom’s bed. And from the promos, it looks like things are getting worse for Tim. I was a little surprised that Vince and his boys didn’t skaje down the Riggins boys for no longer stripping cars. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.



Free Download of the Week: Trailer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8 Motion Comic - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 Motion Comic: For the fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer who are too lazy to read (i.e. me), the comic version of the 8th season has been made into a motion comic and you can head over to iTunes to check out the trailer and buy the first episode. If you like your shows in physical form, a blu-ray/DVD combo pack is available for pre-order on Amazon but no release date yet (I saw a non reliable source say early January).

Deal of the Week: Save up to 60% on Popular TV Shows and Movies (Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica, Shaun of the Dead)

Video of the Week: Due to my dislike of airplanes, the idea of going to San Diego in the middle of summer to sit in a convention hall are two of the reason why I have not made my way to Comic Con yet (oh yeah, and I have no desire to be stabbed either). Another reason is why wait in line to see a panel when most of it leaks online anyway. Like this surprise performance during The Big Bang Theory panel.



Next Week Pick of the Week: Mad Men, Tonight at 10:00 on AMC: I have only watch the first season (I have the third on DVD but need to hunt down the second so I can catch up). Also returning tonight is My Boys on TBS. Check out mt preview of the return.

Previewing My Boys 4.x

My Boys isn’t Lost, but with a full year between new episodes it would have been nice if they started their fourth season with a “Previously On” segment as a nice remember of how we got here. It has been so long, I completely forgot that Kenny and Stephanie were an item and only vaguely remembered that P.J. and Bobby were still together. According to the press release, apparently near the end of last season Mike worked “towards what could be a life-altering decision” and Brendan decided “to start looking for a new place to live.” Who knew?

Tomorrow sees the return of the My Boys for its fourth season with back to back episodes. Apparently Andy has upped and moved to China with his family leaving the group short a poker player. This leads to a hilarious search for a new sixth and flashback of what they played before poker (though I thought they still played poker prior to Bobby arriving, but then again I can hardly remember what happened last season, let alone in the first). On the second episode, the couples head off to a fancy restaurant leaving Brendan and Mike left to debate the Citizen’s United vs. FEC ruling.

My Boys airs Sundays at 10:00 on TBS. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download My Boys on iTunes.

Around the Tubes vol. LIX

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 The Vampire Diaries, Smallville, Being Human, Project Runway, George Steinbrenner, Mad Men, Bon Jovi, DieHard, New Country, and True Blood.

- The Vampire Diaries is coming to DVD and Blu-Ray at the end of August and Warner Brothers wants fans to head over to its website:

So you’ve thought about it, dreamt about it, even fantasized about it…now, you get to share it.

Check out the official Vampire Diaries DVD site, http://bit.ly/bDNV6N for your chance to vote and let everyone know if you would take Stefan or Damon home. Also, get access to an exclusive email with a special message from the cast, sneak-peaks, wallpapers, cell phone backgrounds and the opportunity to pre-order The Complete First Season before it comes out on Blu-ray and DVD on August 31, 2010.

@ Comic-Con? – Stop by the Warner Bros. booth Friday or Saturday to pick up your Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season tin of red hot mints with an exclusive code!”

- In other WB TV news, Smallville: The Complete Series is now available in HD on iTunes as the show heads into its tenth and final season.

- The second season of Being Human premieres tomorrow on BBC America (not to be confused to the upcoming Syfy remake). Here is a preview:

What Is Being Human


- Also returning next week is the new season of Project Runway on Thursday at 9:00 on Lifetime with a special 90 minute episode. Below is a sneak peak of the first challenge on the show:

A Sneak Peak Scene of Project Runway


- For those that could not get enough of the 24-hour coverage of George Steinbrenner’s death on ESPN last week This TV will honor the former Yankees owner by airing the newly remastered Pride of the Yankees at 7:00 tomorrow followed by four the 60’s television show Home Run Derby.

- Mad Men returns this Sunday and fan of the show who like to read will want to check out Mad Men Unbuttoned by Natasha Vargas-Cooper who runs a Mad Men blog of the same name.

- Here one for you eighties buffs out there, out July 26 is Sex, Drugs and Bon Jovi written by their tour manager Richard Bozzett. The book promises (of which gives me the feeling the book is unauthorized by the band):

• Bon Jovi’s managements connection to the largest cocaine and marijuana trafficking operations of their time, which led to multiple run-ins, while touring, with the DEA.
• Details on Bon Jovi’s use of speed prior to shows to get “amped up” and Halcion after shows to allow him to sleep
• Details on how the Living on A Prayer tour saved the band for financial chaos
• Never-before-released photos of the band touring, partying, family get togethers shedding a new light on the early days of these Rock Legends and a “Sex Scandal” that never leaked.

- I really cannot begrudge celebrities in commercials under one condition, it has to be creative; the recent Sir Mix-a-Lot Butterfinger ad doesn’t fall into that category. One that does is this DieHard commercial featuring Gary Numan playing Cars on Cars.

DieHard Battery vs. Gary Numan


- If you liked The Goodnight Anthem, you will want to check out New Country which features members of the band. You can stream and download the lead track off their EP Say What You Want on their MySpace page.

- Fans of True Blood will want to head over to the HBO store for newly arrived Jessica themed t-shirts, one of which is pictured below.

Feed Your iPod vol. XLIX: Gotta Get: Closer

There have been many bizarre covers in the history of rock and roll, but most of them are novelties (think Cake’s version of I Will Survive). There is only one really bizarre cover that really transcends novelty and is a legitimately great song on its own: Maxwell’s version of Nine Inch Nails’ Closer. Yes for those that didn’t see his Unplugged performance from back in the day, the RnB crooner did his own version of the industrial band’s ode to dirty, dirty loving. Maxwell makes the song his own, the first time I heard it, it took me to the infamous chorus, “I want to (love) you like an animal” before it clicked in my head that. And considering the original content, Maxwell goes even further into left field when halfway through the song; Maxwell takes the song to church with a gospel style in the middle before ending with a funky goodbye. And yet every second of his version worked brilliantly.

Gotta Get: Closer – Maxwell




Closer – Nine Inch Nails

The 50 Biggest Disappointments of the 00's

1. Bud Selig letting baseball become unwatchable (Big Head Barry becoming the home run king, A-Roid getting a ring, letting the Red Sox roid themselves up to break The Curse, the All-Star Game tie, etc.)

2. The death of Napster

3. The CW thinking shows like Farmer Takes a Wife, 90210, Melrose Place, Life Is Wild, The Pussycat Dolls, High Society, and Fly Girls were better alternatives that Veronica Mars

4. The football team formerly known as the Browns winning a Super Bowl in the second year of The real Browns expansion, who only won three games that year

5. Kanye West going emo

6. The rise of Ringtone Rappers and auto-tune

7. Here is something I could not understand: how Landry Clarke could just kill a man

8. The Writer’s Strike

9. Dave Chappelle going crazy; ending Chappelle's Show after only two seasons

10. Bill Belichicken cheating his way to multiple Super Bowls wins

11. Fox canceling The Lone Gunmen, Undeclared, Firefly, A Minute with Stan Hooper, Keen Eddie, The Jury, The Inside, Point Pleasant, and Reunion after (and sometime before) just one season

12. Having to constantly hear about American Karaoke

13. The entire Heroes series, and having Kristen Bell slum it on such a horribly written / acted show

14. The Steelers winning two ref assisted Super Bowl

15. TV Guide going bigger

16. Basically everything after the season one finale of Lost

17. 50 Cent deciding to make music for suburban white teenage girls

18. The Jay Leno Hour

19. Fergie joining the Black Eyed Peas

20. Having to wait fifteen years for the mediocre Chinese Democracy (and Dr. Pepper not delivering on their promise of a free can)

21. MTV deciding to cater to teenage girls who were too busy texting to care about their crappy shows

22. The Democrats unable to nominate someone competent enough to even beat George Bush

23. Superman Return

24. X & Y - Coldplay

25. The shrinking Rolling Stone

26. The Pirates of the Caribbean sequels

27. Y2K

28. Hollywood ruining my childhood (Transformers, Dukes of Hazard, etc.)

29. Trapped in the Closet; Chapters 13-22

30. Kate Bosworth Going Skelator

31. No Detox from Dr. Dre

32. U.S. Basketball Nightmare teams

33. Sam's Town - The Killers

34. Christina Aguilera starting to look like drag queen version of her Genie in a Bottle self

35. Bionic Woman reboot

36. Jay-Z’s Un-retirement song

37. Survivor All Stars

38. Smashing Pumpkins reunion

39. The Hockey lock out

40. The Shins not changing my life like Natalie Portman promised

41. Janet Jackson’s nipple

42. Working On a Dream - Bruce Springsteen

43. Joe Rogan version of The Man Show

44. Any celebrity documentary style reality show after The Osbornes first season

45. The XFL

46. Brett Favre in a Jets Vikings uniform

47. Jerry Springer banning fighting

48. Lindsay Lohan

49. Austin Powers in Goldmember

50. Tara Reid somehow being able to ruin Wild On

I Want My Music Television vol. LXXXVII

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.


Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise – The Avett Brothers



Ladies and gentlemen: the story of Detroit with music provided by The Avett Brothers.


Laredo - Band of Horses



Keeping with the Americana theme, here is the latest video from Band of Horses.


Crossfire - Brandon Flowers



There have been plenty of unnecessary solo albums in the history of music, but just from hearing one song, Brandon Flowers may be in the discussion for most unnecessary solo album. The song sounds exactly like one from The Killers. Even the video looks like a like a completely absurd one from the band. But then again, if I had Charlize Theron coming to my rescue, I’d get myself caught by ninjas on a regular basis too.


All the Small Things – Jedward



Remember a couple months ago I posted an awesomely bad video by two twins that looked the result of a night of passion between Justin Timberlake and Buster Poindexter which mashed up Ice Ice Baby and the song it ripped off, Under Pressure, and even got Vanilla Ice to rap on it? Now Jedward are just plain bad with their follow up with a Blink-182 cover. Note to any guy reading this, it is not a wise decision to pay homage Lady GaGa, Britney Spears and the Single Ladies dance all in one video.

57 Channels and Only This Is On vol. CXXXIX

Quote of the Week: Man, I haven’t seen this many girls on a football field since the last time we played the Steelers. (Chad Ochocinco, Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch)

Song of the Week: Tightrope – Janelle Monáe (2010 Espy Awards)

Big News of the Week: George Steinbrenner Died: It is natural whenever people die to remember the good times and gloss over their bad attributes (see Michael Jackson) but the George Steinbrenner coverage is downright bizarre where his worst attribute has be hailed as a positive. His collection of players that resemble a fantasy roster more than an actually baseball teams what has ruined baseball in my lifetime (along with steroids) to the point is almost unwatchable. Yet in the wake of his death, people are applauding his ruthlessness. This would have been like when Richard Nixon died had be lauded for having the wherewithal to spy on his opposition for political gain.

Leverage: How can they include a town called Arcadia and not have anyone named Joan from there? How disappointing. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Rescue Me: It is always good whenever Shawn and Mike put their brains together and them coming up with a worthy charity may be the best conversation since discussing God with Katie after Conner died. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.

2010 ESPY Awards: It was cathartic to hear LeBron get booed during the show. Even though the monologue was entertaining, some of the bit were pretty lame with Paul the octopus and the creator of the vuvuzalas. But my second favorite part of the night (after LeBron getting booed) was Lindsey Vonn calling out Marky Mark.

Persons Unknown: Me wonders if the new black chick is also a plant as a replacement for Joe. It is a little convenient for someone to have antifreeze in a town with no cars. You can also download Persons Unknown on iTunes.

Also check out my preview of Covert Affairs.

Free Download of the Week: 2010 SideOneDummy Records Summer Sampler (Amazon MP3): This set includes songs by The Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly and Anti Flag.

Deal of the Week: Save up to 44% on TV Shows (Rescue Me, Diff’rent Strokes, Damages)

Video of the Week: New show on the National Geographic Channel tonight at 10:00, Monstar Fish follows fish biologist Zeb Hogan as he tries to find the world’s largest fresh water fish. Tonight is just a sneak peak before settling in to its permanent timeslot tomorrow also at 10:00. Here is a preview:

Redneck Fishing Tournament


Next Week Pick of the Week: My Boys, Sunday (7/25) at 10:00 on TBS: It has been over a year since the last new episode of My Boys aired so I have completely forgotten what is actually going on with the gang (was it common knowledge that Andy took a job in China?) Look for more on the new season of My Boys this week.

Around the Tubes vol. LVIII

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 The Client List, Revenge of the Bridesmaids, DC Comics, Drake, and vuvuzalas.

- Being a dude I have never watch Lifetime Channel, and even a movie starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as a “massage therapist” most likely won’t change that (maybe if it were a decade ago and not on basic cable). The Client List is as salacious and you would expect from a Lifetime movie, a true story of a former Homecoming Queen who takes extreme measures to get some money when she and her husband are layedoff. Here is a preview of the movie premiering this coming Monday at 9:00:

The Client List Extended Trailer


- For those that prefer lighter fair in their TV movies, this Sunday ABC Family is premiering their latest Revenge of the Bridesmaids starring JoAnna Garcia and Raven Symone about two friends who go undercover to sabotage a wedding. Check out a preview below:

- DC comics recently turned 75 and to celebrate they recently opened an iTunes page dedicated to their movies, television shows, apps, cartoons and more for your favorites like Superman, Batman and many more.

- Fans of Drake will want to head over to XUMANII this Sunday between 10:50 and 4:50 fot a virtual VIP pass as cameras follow him around for an after party.

- For those going threw vuvuzala withdrawal, some protesters took the “instrument” to the BP headquarters to protest the company.

Lyrics Quiz: Greatest Lyrics of the 00's part 1

Continuing my year long look at some of the Best the last decade had to offer here are some of my favorite lyrics of the past ten years. There will be a second part coming as soon as next month where I have split the lyrics up randomly. 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. Please keep in mind the lyrics quiz is for entertainment purposes only so please only use your own meandering mind to guess them. Now onto the lyric quiz:


1. We could hide out under there. I just made you say “underwear?” (Pinch Me - Barenaked Ladies; guessed by Doug)
2. Sweat baby sweat baby sex is a Texas drought. Me and you do the kind of stuff that only Prince would sing about. (The Bad Touch - The Bloodhound Gang; guessed by AJ)
3. You know this song by Phil Collins, “In the Air of the Night” about that guy who could have saved that other guy from drowning but didn’t and Phil saw it all then at his show he found him? (Stan - Eminem and Dido; guessed by Doug)
4. My block live and in color, like Rodman hair. The club is packed, the bar is filled. I'm waiting for sister to act, like Lauryn Hill. (Dirrty - Christina Aguilara featuring Redman; guessed by Angie)
5. Tell me did you sail across the sun? Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights are faded and that heaven is overrated? (Drops of Jupiter - Train; guessed by AJ)
6. I want a girl with good dividends. At City Bank we’ll meet accidentally. We’ll start to talk when she borrows my pen. (Short Skirt/Long Jacket - Cake - AJ)
7. Lucky that my breasts are small and humble so you don’t confuse them for mountains. (Whenever, Wherever - Shakira; guessed by Doug)
8. And it hurts to want everything and nothing at the same time. I want what’s yours and I want what’s mine. I want you but I'm not giving in this time. (Goodbye to You - Michelle Branch; guessed by Angie)
9. We can drive through the city no doubt but don’t say my car is topless, say the (expletive deleted) is out.
10. She got out of town on a railway New York bound. Took all except my name, another alien on Broadway. (Bright Lights - Matchbox Twenty; guessed by Angie)
11. I’m just trying to say the way school needs teachers, the way Kathy Lee needed Regis. (Jesus Walks - Kanye West; guessed by Rose)
12. I don’t mind spending every day out on your corner in the pouring rain. Look for the girl with the broken smile. Ask her if she wants to stay awhile. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5; guessed by Rose)
13. There’ll be manslaughter right in front of my kids. A little blood get on my daughter, it’s nothing, she’ll live.
14. And that REM song was playing in my mind, in three and a half minutes. (A Lifetime - Better Than Ezra; guessed by Angie)
15. The talking leads to touching and the touching leads to sex and then there’s no mystery left. Portions for Foxes - Rilo Kiley; guessed by Rose)
16. With a name I’ve never chosen, I can make my first steps. (Chocolate - Final Straw - Snow Patrol; guessed by Angie)
17. I hear in my mind all these voices. I hear in my mind all these words. I hear in my mind all this music and it breaks my heart. (Fidelity - Regina Spektor; guessed by Doug)
18. If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied, illuminate the “no’s” on their vacancy signs. (I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Plans - Death Cab for Cutie; guessed by AJ)
19. Who do you think you are? Ha, ha, ha, bless your soul. (Crazy - Gnarls Barkley; guessed by Rose)
20. Get washed-up singers writing all my songs, lip synch ‘em every night so I don’t get ‘em wrong. (Rockstar - Nickelback; guessed by Angie)
21. There’s nothing you can teach me that I can’t learn from Mr. Hathaway. (Rehab - Amy Winehouse; guessed by Doug)
22. For some reason I can’t explain, I know St. Peter won’t call my name. (Viva la Vida - Coldplay; guessed by Rose)
23. It’s been a long time since twenty-two. I don’t remember you looking any better. But then again I don’t remember you. (Who Says - John Mayer; guessed by Angie)
24. Saw Cinderella in a party dress, she was looking for a nightgown. I saw the devil wrapping up his hands; he’s getting ready for the showdown.
25. Somebody’s heart is broken – it becomes your favorite song. (Funny the Way It Is - Dave Matthews Band; guessed by Angie)

Feed Your iPod vol. XLVIII: Tequila

My buddy Doug knows every obscure song ever made (remember Deeper Shade of Soul by the Urban Dance Squad? No? Well he does) or at least I thought he did until I finally stumped him the other day when I brought up A.L.T. and the Lost Civilization and their early nineties ode to alcohol Tequila which sampled The Champs song of the same name (which everyone in my generation will know best as the Pee Wee Herman song). I figure if Doug doesn’t remember the song most of you out there never have either, and that has to be rectified because the song is just cheesy goodness and should be right up there with Skee-Lo in the terms of great nineties one hit wonder rap songs.

Tequila – A.L.T. and the Lost Civilization

Previewing Covert Affairs

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Covert Affairs borrows heavily from Alias that every review of the show mentions (ever notices when someone like something, it is an homage; when they hate it, it is a rip-off): a moderately attractive CIA agent has to keep a secret life from her family and goes on mission that involves little amounts of clothing.

Though Sidney Bristow kept a double life because she was deep undercover (so deep it turned out she was part of a rouge organization), it really isn’t explained why Annie Walker tells her sister she works at the Smithsonian when she is just a normal CIA trainee. On the bright side we do learn by the end of the first episode why Annie got called to Langley when she was still a months away from graduating (and if you think her language knowledge and the ability to pass as a call girl is a lame excuse that cannot be the whole reason, you are right).

But besides being in the CIA, the secret life and the scantily clad costumes, there are very few similarities after that (thankfully no convoluted prophesies, at least not yet). The show stars Piper Perabo (the live action Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle movie) as the new agent in question while Anne Dudak (Big Love) plays the unaware older sister of whom Annie stays with. Annie works alongside Christopher Gorham (Harper’s Island) as an intelligence officer slash blind dude and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Heroes) who doesn’t actually show up in the first episode. They all report to Kari Matchett (Invasion) who in turn reports to Peter Gallagher (who also starts a run on Rescue Me tonight at the same time on FX) who currently is the most interesting part of the show. But then again when is Peter Gallagher’s eyebrows not the star of a show or movie?

The first episode of Covert Affairs prods along for the most part whenever Gallagher is not on screen and the gratuitous show of skin in the first five minutes is, well, gratuitous (I guess that is another worthy Alias comparison). Perabo and Matchett particular do not seem to settle into their roles very well. But the big reveal at the end of the pilot makes it worth another viewing or two, though it seems pretty clear that Rescue Me will be the better alternative in the timeslot. And if Annie turns up in any prophesies written centuries ago, I’ll definitely be done with the show.

Covert Affairs airs Tuesdays at 10:00 on USA. The show does have a Hulu page, so presumably you will be able to stream episodes there after it airs. You can download Covert Affairs on iTunes.