Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Previewing Expedition Week




If the video above was not tip off enough, it is the time of year again to go globetrotting with the National Geographic Channel for Expedition Week. This year they will be transporting you to the heights of the Himalayas to a couple leagues under the sea, and even centuries in the past. Naturally they kick off the festivities this Sunday at 9:00 with a hunt of cannibals that will takes Piers Gibbons (who last year went on the hunt for Headshrinkers) deep into seldom traveled jungles of Papua New Guinea to find some who has tasted human flash. (National Geographic was nice enough to send along a cookbook with a recipe to accompany each episode and Eating with Cannibals included “finger food” of hot dogs with a generous helping of ketchup. Shoot me an e-mail if you want the recipe.) Humor aside, it is chilling to hear someone talk about killing and eating two woman.



Below is a complete rundown of what to expect for Expedition Week. If you want even more on Expedition Week you can head over to NationalGeographic.com where you can also check out Expedition Granted where two young explorers are competing to win $10,000 to go to the expedition of their dreams. Head over to vote for who you thinks deserves the money.


Eating with Cannibals (Sunday 4/3 at 9): Last Expedition Week, author and explorer Piers Gibbon headed deep into the Amazon jungle to locate tribes that practiced headshrinking. In his newest adventure, Gibbon looks at one of mankind’s ultimate taboos: cannibalism. He’ll trek into the rain forest of Papua New Guinea to find tribe members who ate human flesh. Gibbon meets with members of the once-feared Biami tribe and witnesses their ritual techniques. Then he’ll learn who they killed and why, and if they still practice cannibalism today.

Finding Jack the Ripper (Sunday 4/3 at 10): Could Jack the Ripper have been the world’s first trans-Atlantic serial killer? Can 21st century techniques and CGI 3-D autopsies crack this 19th century crime spree, while reversing decades of investigative assumptions? Retired U.K. murder squad detective Trevor Marriott is determined to finally unmask the Ripper and possibly link him to other murders in Europe and the U.S.

Hunt for the Abomable Snowman (Monday 4/4 at 9): Across the Himalayas are stories of the yeti, or abominable snowman. Half man, half ape, the yeti is said to roam only the most remote peaks, where people rarely venture. Now, veteran explorer and climber Gerry Moffatt sets out to find proof in a hunt that will test his stamina. As conventional scientific theories challenge ancient beliefs and credible witnesses, he works to separate fact from fiction and find hard evidence that the legend is real.

Last Stand of the Templars (Monday 4/4 at 10): The Templars were considered the pope’s private army, protecting Jerusalem for more than 50 years. But their legacy came to a sudden end — casting them from the heights of wealth and power to the dark corners of history. Now, on the ruins of a 12th century castle near the border between what are now Israel and Syria, a team of archaeologists peel away centuries of sediment, uncovering signs of a six-day siege that could have led to the Templars’ demise.

Gladiators Back from the Dead (Tuesday 4/5 at 9): More than one million of history’s ultimate fighters died in the arenas of the Roman Empire, yet not a single complete gladiator skeleton has ever been found. Now, archaeologists in England have unearthed what is believed to be an ancient gladiator graveyard. It contains the skeletons of 75 adult males, all of whom died in the prime of life, with savage bone wounds suggesting lives of violence. Forensic anthropologists examine the evidence, and special graphics bring these superstar fighters back to life to uncover important clues about how they lived and died.

Egypt’s Lost Rival (Tuesday 4/5 at 10): It rivaled ancient Egypt but was lost to history. Now a team of archaeologists have made a major discovery in the Syrian desert: artifacts from a burial chamber deep within an ancient palace that paint a never-before-seen picture of a powerful metropolis known as Qatna. What became of its vast riches? And what brought about the final fate of this ancient superpower?

Return of the Ghost Ship (Wednesday 4/6 at 9): Underwater explorers in the Baltic Sea set out to bring a recently discovered “ghost ship” — one of the most intact ancient wooden wrecks ever found — back to life. By pushing the frontiers of maritime archaeology and using the latest technology, the team hopes to recover artifacts from the ship, take measurements and create a 3-D model of the ship with pinpoint accuracy — unlocking a treasure trove of information.

Ben Franklin’s Pirate Fleet (Wednesday 4/6 at 10): A lost piece of American history may have been uncovered deep in the sea — a shipwreck thought to have belonged to a fleet of American privateers. In the late 18th century, the Irish Sea was a cauldron of kidnapping, thievery and unrepentant skullduggery. Governments, including the nascent U.S., hired sea raiders, or “privateers,” to pillage and steal from merchant vessels. Is it possible that this ship was on a mission from Benjamin Franklin to capture British sailors to exchange for American prisoners?

Into the Iceland Volcano (Thursday 4/7 at 9): In spring 2010, the nearly unpronounceable volcano Eyjafjallajökull spewed ash clouds across Europe, bringing international air traffic to a standstill. Now, for the first time ever, a team of explorers descend into the nearby Thrinukagigur volcano crater — the only place on earth where it is possible to enter an old magma chamber. Inside the crater, the team finds crucial evidence revealing the inner workings of Icelandic volcanoes. With an even bigger eruption looming, the race is on to predict when the volcano will blow — before it’s too late.

Man vs. Volcano (Thursday 4/7 at 10): Journey into the mouth of Africa’s most active volcano, Nyiragongo, and stand on the shore of the world’s largest lava lake. Join an expedition with a National Geographic Magazine photographer and an international team of scientists as they reach the volcano’s summit — a near-vertical 11,385 feet — and then rappel directly into its mouth — 1,300 feet — nearly the height of the Empire State Building. With little doubt it will erupt again, the team hopes to take stunning images and gather geological samples to unlock the secrets of one of most dangerous and least studied volcanoes in the world.

Lost Land of the Tiger (Friday 4/8 at 9): Go in search of an undiscovered tiger population rumored to be hidden in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. This pristine country of lush forests, clear rivers and icy mountains could hold the key to safeguarding the future for these big cats. But first, the team must trek across Bhutan’s wildest terrain and face its extreme weather — pushing the expedition to its very brink. With cameras strategically placed, the team is closing in on capturing key evidence of the tigers said to be living here.

Tiger Man (Friday 4/8 at 10): A seemingly impossible dream: to create a new population of wild tigers outside their natural habitat. One man, John Varty, did just that. Starting with two young, zoo-born tigers, Varty now has more than 15 tigers at his Tiger Canyons reserve, and has used ever-present cameras to document two years of their lives. Whether mating, birthing or hunting, Varty shows these magnificent tigers with remarkable, “up close and personal” detail. His methods can be controversial, but it’s a gripping, intimate look at tigers as never seen before.

Death of a Sea Monster (Saturday 4/9 at 9): A sea monster cemetery lies at the top of the world — an incredible grave site containing countless fossilized remains of huge marine predators from the Jurassic era. Join an expedition to this remote burial ground via helicopter and boat. Paleontologists will contend with powerful polar bears and erratic Arctic weather to uncover yet another treasure trove of newly discovered predatory sea monsters. This time, it’s a complete ichthyosaur skeleton — the first of its kind.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Don't Call it a Comeback vol. IV: The Pharcyde


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

Due for a Comeback: The Pharcyde

Biggest Hit: Passing Me By



Last Hit: Drop (1996)

Where Are They Now: After two critically acclaimed albums, Slimkid3 and Fatlip left the group for solo projects after a third and the two remaining member released just one album without them. The group has reunited for a few concerts and hopped on each other’s solo projects, but no new music from the four of them since 2000.

Why the World Needs a The Pharcyde Comeback: Because rap has gotten bland these days aside from backpack disciple Kanye West. Slimkid3 (who now records under his government name Tre Hardson) and Fatlip have recorded some decent tracks in the past decade, but nothing like the give and go stylings of The Pharcyde. Really except the once and a blue moon that the Beastie Boys (who made cameos in the drop video) release and album, the rap group has disappeared from the musical landscape.

And speaking of comeback, whatever happened to Delicious Vinyl? They were set to be the next Def Jam with artists like The Pharcyde, Tone-Loc, Young MC and The Brand New Heavies but did not add any notable artists after that. You would think after all the buzz those artists generated, they could have picked up some new artists.



Monday, March 28, 2011

I Want My Music Television - 3/28/11


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


True Faith – George Michael



Last week I defended Rebecca Black against claims that her song Friday was the worst song ever recorded saying, sure it is bad, but there are plenty worse songs out there. And just days later, George Michael released this True Faith song, which, as it turns out, is the worst song ever in the history of the world. And it isn’t a good sign for George when I say a still from the video, I originally thought it was Richard Hatch. Now if you excuss me, I need to poke something sharp in my ear.


When You're Young - 3 Doors Down



I saw that 3 Doors Down had a new video, and when I pressed play, I heard the opening riff and thought to myself, oh, they made a new video for When You’re Gone and looked at the title again and nope, it is apparently a different song with the same riff. And I have said this before and hopefully this is the last time: old dudes, stop trying to pull off the Justin Beiber, it doesn’t make you look younger, it just makes you look silly.


Heart Skips a Beat - Lenka



It is hard not to be down with a music video that sports an live action Operation homage. Thanks Lenka.


Changes - Dirty Vegas



I couple weeks ago I posted part one of a three part music video from Dirty Vegas, though just like part one; I am not entirely sure what is going on. Hopefully part three wraps everything up in a nice little bow.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 3/27/11


Chuck: Wow, Volkoff tried to kill Chuck. Or did she? I have a feeling Leland Palmer may be the one behind the hit. Although I could do without the standalone episode unless the C.A.T. Squad reunites. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

How I Met Your Mother: Has the show run out of funny ideas that they have had to fill this season up with dramatic elements? Between Marshal’s dad (that they are still references) and Barney’s (who is getting really annoying when they focus on his search for daddy), it is getting too heavy this season. And they really glossed over that Barney has a college-aged half sister. Could she turn out to be Ted’s baby mama? You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Event: Most unbelievable part of the episode: the Token Hot Chick poising as 41 wearing a dress that is way to gravity defying for someone that age to pull off. And I wonder why the alien’s do not just sing the building around the navy like they did the last time the government were closing in on them? You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Castle: Holy Corbin Bernsen sighting! I bet there was no one more exited to hear Charlie Sheen talk about Major League 3 than Corbin. Until he realized that he already stared in the third movie entitled Back to the Minors. And poor Mac, I knew she did it as soon as her new boss hired as a staff writer. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Castle on iTunes.

Lights Out: Like I said back in the second episode, that picture at the kids birthday party was going to come back and haunt him. But he sure came up with a good plan to make it go away, although I am not sure how wise it was to put his fate on a guy with dementia. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: Russell has gotten a lot of grief for his strategy of picking dumb hot chicks to do his bidding, but Boston Rob has done the exact same thing on his seasons to the detriment of his chances of even making the jury. Natalie and Ashley may out dumb blonde any of Russell’s dumb blonde alliances. He should thank the other tribe for throwing the challenge because he could have easily have seen Russell on Redemption Island at some point later. But much like last week, I am still waiting for something interesting to happen but we are probably too deep for them to swap tribes and may be two or three episodes away from a merge. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Survivor on iTunes


Justified: Even though I could have done without another Wynonna theft episode, this is the episode where things are going to get rolling when the mining company goes after the Bennett’s with the Raylan and the Marshall service caught in the middle. I can’t wait. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

Community: I am not sure who was more upset that Abed’s dinner turned out to be another homage, Jeff or myself. It is really annoying when the show does parody’s of movies I have never seen. And I would have much preferred a Reservoir Dogs party to a Pulp Fiction one. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Best of the Week - 3/26/11


Quote of the Week: You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth! (Corbin Bernsen, Castle)

Song of the Week: I'm Not Calling You a Liar – Florence and the Machine (Pretty Little Liars)

Big News of the Week: Lights Out Lights Are Out: With just two episode left in the season, FX pulled the plug on its latest series Lights Out following in the footsteps of the similarly rated and critically acclaimed Terriers. Lights Out will air the final two episodes in its regular time slot on Tuesday. After two straight failures, FX looks to rebound with some big names. They recently inked a deal with Oliver Stone to produce and direct a conspiracy theory-themed drama and there is also previously announced American Horror Story from Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy starring Connie Britton who herself is attached as producer as another drama in development for the network. But what may be the most buzzworthy is their comic book adaptation of Powers which could do for FX what The Walking Dead did for AMC. As for its current programming, FX is close to renewing Justified, which looks to take the title of best show on television now that Friday Night Lights has ended, for a third season.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:

Yvonne Strahovski looking pensive


Free Download of the Week: The World Is Yours – Glasvegas (Rcrd Lbl)

Deal of the Week: Up to 59% Off ABC TV (Castle, Lost, Desperate Housewives)

New Album Release of the Week: vs. & Vitalogy 3 CD Deluxe Edition (Featuring Live At The Orpheum, Boston MA) - Pearl Jam

New DVD Release of the Week: Mad Men: Season Four

Video of the Week: Forget Rebecca Black, this will be the greatest internet video you will watch all week who takes The Song Otherwise Known as Forget You and turns it into a pro God song with a little MC Hammer thrown in for no reason beside raising its awesomeness. My favorite part is Tyrone Biggums on keyboards. And it is about time someone put Bravo on blast.

GMDOCNICE – Bless You


Next Week Pick of the Week: Shameless, Sunday (3/27) at 10:00 on Showtime: After last week’s duel bombshells of Lip and Ian getting arrested in Steve’s stolen car and Karen’s webshow with Frank, there are going to be a lot of repercussions in tomorrow’s season finale and after all is said and done, we very doubtfully will be seeing a couple of characters around at all next season. And with all the outrageousness in the first eleven episodes, the finale still manages the most shocking scene yet.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Around the Tubes - 3/25/11

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on NBC summer schedule, MTV Hive, 120 Minutes, Laura Jansen, Big Love, Monster Madness, Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen, Pusha T, Fairly Legal, Elizabeth Taylor, The Best of the Dean Martin Show, Leverage, The Hub, and The Wild Thornberrys.

- NBC announced its summer schedule earlier this week. America’s Got Talent will return Tuesday May 31 at 9:00, while The Marriage Ref will see its second season begin Sunday, June 26 at 10:00. New show The Voice, which premieres April 26, will continue through June. Without premiere dates are new shows Still Standing (no they are not bringing back the sitcom of the same name, this is a competition show) and Love in the Wild which is a reality show about, well you should be able to guess from the title. Another show It’s Worth What? will also be come your way this Summer. But the most important NBC Summer show will be the final season of Friday Night Lights starting Friday, May 7 at 8:00. Also in NBC premiere news, The Paul Reiser Show will be added to the Comedy Night Done Right Thursday April 14th at 8:30. No word on Friends with Benefits.

- I hope everybody made Monday unscaved as it was National Alien Abduction day. Sammy Hagar didn’t who told MTV Hive: “It was real. [Aliens] were plugged into me. It was a download situation.” I have a feeling someone has been drinking too much tequila. For those that do not know what MTV Hive is, it is, it’s “MTV’s newly launched standalone pure music destination curated for passionate music fans whose deep connection to the music has no boundaries. Hive takes fans onstage, backstage and offstage – and closer to their favorite artists – via exclusive and original editorial, interviews, videos, mp3s, innovative products, live concerts and beyond. Hive, quite simply, is an immersive, deep and boundless celebration of music.”

- While over at MTV Hive, you can also check out 120 Seconds, a companion of the recently revived 120 Minutes with Matt Pinfield (with MTV bring this back along with Beavis and Butt-Head, you wonder how long until they resurrect other 90’s classics Remote Control and The Grind). Below is the first episode featuring The Kills:



- For those that read my review of Laura Jansen’s debut album yesterday (see: I Have the Modivation to Be a Free Girl Now) and wanted to hear more, Laura will be on Livestream today at 3:00 for a stripped down set and will be answering fan questions.

- Big Love wrapped up its series last week and for those left wanting more, here is a After the Final Featurette.



- For those whose NCAA bracket are as busted as mine, you can participate in Syfy’s Monster Madness tournament in honor of their 200th original move Scream of the Banshee tomorrow at 9:00.

- Will over at Syfy.com, you can enter a contest to “meet and eat” with Marcel Vigneron, star of Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen in Los Angeles.

- Pusha T was the breakout star on Kanye West’s Dark Beautiful Fantasy and now he has dropped his own mixtape which you can download for free over at Grooveshack. If you only download one track, I would suggest Raid.

- Sarah Shahi of Fairly Legal recently shared with USA’s Character Blog the six things she cannot live without including Spanish plates from Toledo (Spain, not Ohio).

- In honor of the recently deceased Elizabeth Taylor, Turner Classics Movies will be running a 24 hour marathon of her most memorable roles on April 10 starting at 6:00 A.M. including her two Oscar winning performances Butterfield 8 (at 8:00 P.M.) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (10:00 P.M.).

- For the first time ever, The Best of the Dean Martin Show will be released by Time-Life on May 24.

- What better name for a convention than Con-Con? The official Leverage event will return to Portland, OR this June 3-5. Tickets are available at Leverage Fans. Look out for the fourth season to begin June 26 on TNT.

- Fans of Yo Gabba Gabba will want to check out The Aquabats Super Show from the creators of the same show coming to The Hub for the 2011-12 season. Another show that caught my eye coming to the channel next fall is Clue based on the board game that will see six teens brought together when they believe they have witnessed a terrible crime. Considering I was one of the few people that liked the movie, I may have to check that out. The Hub also announced the acquired the rights to Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

- Here is another one for the kiddies out there, The Wild Thornberrys: Season One will hit shelves May 17 on DVD and Blu-Ray.



Thursday, March 24, 2011

I Have the Motivation to Be a Free Girl Now



It seems like every couple years Scandinavia imports some pre packaged pop act before they retreat back to the frozen tundra of their homeland such as Roxette, Ace of Base, and Aqua. But Dutch born Laura Jansen is a singer-songwriter right out of the mold of the Lilth Fair. The piano she plays will draw her comparisons to Sara Bareilles, Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor, but Jansen for the most part lacks the snark, edge, or quirkiness of those artist but with a more serene voice.

Jansen’s debut album is pure piano pop. Naturally Bells opens with The End which sets up the album with heartbreak that seeps into many of the songs. This is most notable on the first song off the album Single Girls where Jansen chronicles her newly single life which manages to be heartbreaking and touching at the same time. She even manages to make the Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody a beautifully stripped down song of yearning from a female’s perspective. Many have tried to turn the song into a balled, but no cover has come as good as Jansen’s.

Laura does try to speed things up throughout the album including on Wicked World where she bounces around on her piano while namedropping fairy tale characters but sound a little too much like Bareilles’ own Fairytale. Jansen starts taking more chances near the end of the album like on Elijah where she highlights song percussion and other instruments on the song. And the album closes with the moody Signal which ups the production, including a guitar solo at the end, and even lets go vocally compared to the mainly piano and voice of the pervious tracks. The music may not be there yet, but Laura Jansen has the kind of voice that you can put on and drift away while listening to.

Song to Download – Single Girls

Bells gets a Terror Alert Level: High [ORANGE] on my Terror Alert Scale.



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Feed Your iPod vol. LVI: Lies


You have to feel bad for two hit wonders, enough talent to conjure that elusive second hit, but not enough to sustain a career. Everyone can sing along with Lou Bega with just the mention of his name, but who remembers Nine Days? Then there are the strange class of one hit wonders whose other songs are forgotten by the annals of time despite being as big as the original. Seriously, Vanilla Ice’s Play That Funky Music was a top five hit, not to mention the show jam I Love You got plenty of airplay. EMF is also a group whose songs not named Unbelievable (which was #31 on VH1’s 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time) vanished from conscienceless. This is a shame because Lies (which reached #18 on the Billboard’s Hot 100) is another great track from the band. Sure I may be part of the problem considering I got a couple arguments saying that songs on my 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 00’s did not belong, but let me rectify by reminding everyone that EMF does not deserve the one hit wonder status.

Lies - EMF Lies - Schubert Dip



Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Got a Secret, Can You Keep It


The cast of Pretty Little Liars

Despite posting a list entitled The 100 Guiltiest Guilty Pleasures of the 00’s, I really do not feel guilty about any of the music I listen to or television I watch. Yeah I have Hilary Duff’s Come Clean on my iPod, if you don’t like the song than that’s your problem. But Pretty Little Liars during its first season really asked the question of when does a guilty pleasure becomes just plain guilty.

The premise was primed for guilty pleasurness: four friends who drifted away after their Queen B disappear are reunited a year later when she is found dead, each of who are harboring a dark secret of their own that a mysterious figure is harboring over them claiming to be the dead friend.. Best case scenario is the show would be a poor girl’s Veronica Mars, who was even mentioned during the first season. Unfortunately it turns out the four Liars have a combined IQ of the junior private detective.

The dumbest of the all being Aria, who, despite catching her English professor dad in a torrid affair with a student that ruined her family, carried on a torrid affair with her English teacher for the entire season. What’s worse is the writers made this seem like a grand forbidden love story on the lines of Romeo and Juliet instead of the creepy statutory storyline that Nancy Grace would have dedicated a month of shows to if it happened in real life.

The other liars didn’t have much better success with the opposite sex. Or same sex in the case of Emily who announced her lesbianess only to attract every other gay chick in a five mile radius. Hanna, who took over the mantel of Queen B when Allison went missing didn’t have much luck when she was trying to decide between the captain of the football team (who may have had his own sexual questions of his own) and the Yearbook nerd only to choose the skeevy bad boy who was paid to get close to her. But worse choose in boys goes to Spencer who kept on hooking up with her sister’s boyfriend (include the one who may have killed Allison (but probably not) and then tried to kill her) only to end up with the town pariah.

At least the season ended on somewhat of a high note when we got more back story about Jenna, the chick that Allison, who was aided and abetted by the other liars, blinded. The lead suspect for “A” since the beginning we learned that Jenna had to stay away from town because Allison was blackmailing her because she found video of Jenna blackmailing Toby that was made by Ian (or possibly not, it is never confirmed, Ian may had thought the video Spenser was blackmailing him with was the one where he “killed” Allison). This revelation may cross Jenna off the suspect list of being Allison’s killer because she never returned to town until Allison’s body turned up dead. But her hooking up with the cop adds to the theory that she is “A” with the officer being her eyes.

Unfortunately the season didn’t end with the curtain being pulled off of who is “A” though we may have gotten a look at her (him?) as the person who pushed Ian off the bell tower (worst death scene ever). Even though Jenna still remains at the top of the list, with Toby, Mona, Melissa, Lucas, or some combination of them also ranking high on the list, I still hope that “A” turns out to be a not so dead Allison. Though I am not sure I will still be watching when they finally get around to the reveal.

Pretty Little Liars gets a Terror Alert Level: Elevated [YELLOW] on my Terror Alert Scale.



Monday, March 21, 2011

I Want My Music Television - 3/21/11


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

Rope - Foo Fighters



It seems like Foo Fighters alternate videos between cheesy dress up ones and artsy performance based ones and after the eightiestastic White Limo it’s time for artsy. And did I miss the memo that Pat Smear was back in the band?


I Do - Colbie Caillat



The whole (un)happy faced inanimate objects is cute and all for Colbie Caillat, but is there a credit card ad that already did that a year or two ago?


How You Love Me - Talib Kweli



Those credits seemed a little long for a music video featuring a dude and a chick in a bedroom. At least it was another killer track from Talib Kweli.


'Til The End of Time (Edited Version) - Timothy Bloom



For those that think like me that R&B died about a decade ago, here is a song by Timothy Bloom that might give you hope for its resurrection. And the music video is like a two person D'Angelo video. And for those wondering, yes there is an undited version.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 3/20/11


Shameless: When Liam’s blood test came back with Frank as his father I was convinced that someone swapped it because I didn’t see how there were going to explain it any other way. I guessed the title of the episode, Nana Gallagher had an Affair should had tipped me off. Speaking of Nana, we actually get to meet the matriarch tonight.

Chuck: The top of the Greta crop were the Old Spice Guy and Stacy Keibler? Didn’t the latter get knocked out by Stone Cold Steve Austin? It is too bad Olivia Munn and Summer Glue were too busy slumming it on shows that are already doomed. Also not to producers in charge of finding Regis’s replacement: drunk Olivia Munn would be rating gold. (If you do not know what I am taking about, Google it.) You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.

The Event: I really hate when show insult my intelligence. Just minutes after complaining that the prisoners at Innastranka didn’t have the security of the nuclear plant, they only guard the transported uranium with two guys and three drivers? If you still do not trust Sophia, how about using a small army as an escort? But I did like the unintentional comedy of the token hot chick being paranoid that guys were watching her. Of course every guy is tailing her, she is absurdly attractive. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Lights Out: No better fight promotion that an impromptu brawl that probably hit YouTube before either fighter made it to jail. Almost makes you wonder if Barry K. Word did some puppet mastery behinds the scenes to make it happen. I know Don King is kicking himself for not thinking of it first. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: We have finally reached the point in the season where it has gotten too predictable. No matter who wins immunity it is clear who will be going home. Hopefully there is a blindside or switched tribes, because this could get boring quick. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Survivor on iTunes


Mr. Sunshine: This show really needs to incorporate more lingerie football matches into the show. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Mr. Sunshine on iTunes.

Justified: I am a little surprised that they are expanding the Wynona theft storyline into multiple episodes. I assumed that when Raylan found the bill that would be the end of that. I am not sure how more of this can continue being entertaining. But I guess if they can include something as funny as Art’s footrace with the guy who needs an oxygen tank in the next episode, it will be entertaining enough. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

Community: Jeff really needs a hair intervention. If you have a receding hairline, you have no business trying the Justin Beiber. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Community on iTunes.

Outsourced: Why are we not celebrating Holi here in America? It could be right up there with the biggest drinking days in college along with Fat Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day and the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. My college experience now feels incomplete having not throwing a Holi party. You can stream current episodes on Hulu. You can also download Outsourced on iTunes.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Best of the Week - 3/19/11


Quote of the Week: Yeah, I really got Jewish personed out of that one. (Peirce, Community)

Song of the Week: Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain and Tennille (as sung by Rajiv, Outsourced)

Big News of the Week: Bracket Busted Already: For the first time in over a decade I had one of my Final Four teams go out in the first weekend. Thanks St. Johns. I guess I should have gone all high seeds like BaChalke Obama did yet again this year. Seriously, what self respecting basketball fan picks all number one seeds? At least he didn’t shamelessly go with all swing states like he did last year.

Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:

Yvonne Strahovski double fisting in leather


Free Download of the Week: Young Blood – The Naked and Famous (iTunes)

Deal of the Week: Save up to 50% on Hit TV Series: (Weeds, Mad Men, Boy Meets World)

New Album Release of the Week: Hello Fear - Kirk Franklin

New DVD Release of the Week: Ernest Double Feature: Ernest Goes to Camp & Ernest Goes to Jail [Blu-ray]

Video of the Week: Not to go all Leave Britney Alone on the internet, but I do not understand the vitriol hate for Rebecca Black’s Friday. Is it horrible, sure, with inane lyrics that for some reason details the sequence of days of the week but is it any worse than anything that Justin Bieber has put out in the past year? And the lyrics could be Dylanesque compared to Katy Perry’s Hot N Cold. So shut up internet and just be happy like I am that YouTube didn’t exist when you were thirteen.

Rebecca Black – Friday


Next Week Pick of the Week: Pretty Little Liars, Monday at 8:00 on ABC Family: The latest show from ABC Family may have been much more guilty than pleasure, but it did keep me watching all season. Hopefully the girls finally out “A” for the finale, but I doubt that will happen.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Around the Tubes - 3/18/11


I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Big Love, Parks and Recreations, The Cape, Outsourced, Yo Gabba Gabba!, The Dog Whisperer, Triangle: Remembering the Fire, Pee Herman Show on Broadway, Wilfred, Life After Film School, Big Brian: The Fortune Seller, Men's Health, and 16th Annual Gathering of the Vibes Festival.

- Big Love hits its dramatic conclusion this Sunday on HBO. For those that want a trip on memory lane before it ends, here is a half hour End of Days Show retrospective.



- Fans of Parks and Recreations will be happy to lean that starting today NBC.com will be hosting Super-sized Producers Cut. Head over there to see an extended version of last night’s episode. Also getting expanded editions will be the episodes airing 4/28, 5/12, and 5/19. Even better news is the NBC announced yesterday that it is picking up Parks and Recreations for the 2011-12 season along with The Office and Community.

- In other NBC.com news, the season (most likely series) finale of The Cape is now streaming their exclusively.

- Sometimes you just need some love advise, and here is some from the resident ladies man (albeit over the phone) on Outsourced, Manmeet:

Love Advise, Part 1


- While in other renewal news, Nickelodeon has announced they are picking up live-action preschool series, Yo Gabba Gabba! for thirteen new episodes.

- There will also be new episodes of The Dog Whisperer early in 2010 but will be switching networks to the more animal themed Nat Geo Wild. No word yet if one of the ten episodes ordered will see Cesar Millan heading here to the 9th Green to teach my dogs that the dining room isn’t their own personal bathroom.

- On Monday at 9:00, HBO will reflect on the 100th anniversary of The Triangle Shirt Waist Factory Fire with Triangle: Remembering the Fire. For those unfamiliar with the tragedy, up until 9/11 it was the worst workplace disaster in New York State where 146 had the choice of being burned alive or jump ten stories to their death. The aftermath sparked the modern labor movement (which we may be witnessing the death of in Wisconsin). For more information, here is a trailer:



- Just a reminder in news I broke a couple weeks ago, the Pee Herman Show on Broadway airs tomorrow at 10:00 on HBO. The channel has also created a Facebook app where you can have the childhood icon make a personalized phone call to your friends.

- While they have the best dramas on television, FX really hasn’t found a particularly funny show until Louis. We will have to see is Wilfred brings more funny to the network in June. Here is a promo:

Wilfred on FX – Friends


- This Sunday on the Fox Movie Channel, a new episode of Life After Film School will feature Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobsen, producers of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.

- New Show Alert: Big Brian: The Fortune Seller premieres Monday on TruTV following the business of estate sales.

- Mixed martial artist Georges St. Pierre covers April’s edition of Men’s Health. Inside you can learn such things as his future goals: “The danger is not to set your goal too high and fail to reach it. It’s to set your goal too low and reach it.”

- For those in the Bridgeport, CT area, the 16TH Annual Gathering of the Vibes Festival will be going on July 21-24. FURTHUR featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Jane's Addiction and Elvis Costello are all set to perform. Single Day, Camping and VIP Tickets On Sale Now at http://www.gatheringofthevibes.com/. Over 40 bands will perform on multiple alternating stages at Seaside Park's 370-acre beachfront venue.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Batman's Rich History Allows Him to Be Interpreted in a Multitude of Ways


Batman: The Brave and the Bold

With Batman hitting a critical peak with the Christopher Nolan trilogy, you would think a cartoony version, both in visual and execution, may bring down the bat brand. But Cartoon Network’s Batman: The Brave and the Bold is entertaining in its own right even though it conjures up more parallels to the Adam West version than Christian Bale. And unlike recent 3-D cartoons like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, or stylized animation of the recent Young Justice, The Brave and the Bold is animation at out your eighties Saturday morning cartoon memories.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold, own it on DVD now, features the caped crusader teaming up with a different superhero (or two) from the DC Universe battling different bad guys from the same pages. Most episodes are divided into two segments, opening usually with Batman and a Super Friend already in mid mission before launching into a longer full mission after the title sequence. Oddly, the two other biggest members of The Justice League, Superman and Wonder Woman are not featured in the first season. And many of Batman’s famous rouge gallery members like The Joker, Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow, Two-Face, and Mr. Freeze have blink and you’ll miss it cameos.

But the more famous DC Superhero/villains are not missed because the cartoony style is a great way to highlight some of the company’s lesser characters like Booster Gold, the Outsiders, even Sherlock Holmes to take on the likes of Gentlemen’s Ghost, Psycho-Pirate, Gorilla Grodd, and to prove not all villains are equal: Calendar Man.

Some of the standout episodes in this set include the very meta Legends of the Dark Mite! where Bat-Mite attends a Batman fan convention (where he defends a lighter incarnation of Batman) and features Biker Santa’s. And really whenever the over the top gregarious Aquaman shows up. But the episode the stands above all other is when Neil Patrick Harris shows up as the Music Meister and gets the heroes and villain alike to break out into a song and dance for his own amusement. Batman: The Brave and the Bold is a perfect Batman primer for young kids that the parents can still enjoy. Though it should be pointed out aside a trailer, there is nothing in the way of bonus material included.

Diedrich Bader may not be the first name to come to mind when casting the Dark Knight, but his deep gravely voice works well in the role (just as long as you don’t conjure up visions of his work on The Drew Carey Show or his current gig on Outsourced) and his comic background work does help in the show’s lighter moments. Other vocal talents are provided by the likes of Will Friedle as the Jamie Reyes version of Blue Beetle, Oded Fehr as Equinox, R. Lee Ermey (from History’s Mail Call) as Wildcat, Carl Lumbly as Tornado Tyrant, Phil Morris (who plays the live action Marian Manhunter on Smallville) as Jonah Hex, Paul Reubens as Bat-Mite, Tom Everett Scott as Booster Gold, , Armin Shimerman as Psycho-Pirate, Jeffrey Tambor as Crazy Quilt, Tony Todd as Astaroth, Kevin Michael Richardson as Black Manta and B’wana Beast, and Wil Wheaton as the Ted Kord version of Blue Beetle. Check out a synopsis from Warner Brothers below:

Batman wings into an exciting new era, teaming with a mighty honor roll of DC Comics Super Heroes in this action-packed series. Through the show’s final 13 Animated Adventures in this 2-Disc Collection, the Dark Knight allies with Aquaman, Plastic Man, Blue Beetle, Red Tornado, Green Arrow, Wildcat, Deadman, Bronze Tiger and Atom to take on an array of evildoers ranging from mad scientists to intergalactic crooks, from power-mad dictators to out-of-control teenagers. He even travels to a parallel world, becoming the villainous Owlman! (Scooter’s Note: The Owlman episode is actually part of Season Zone, Part One and not part of this set) In this cool, cutting-edge and often funny series bringing back old-school comic-book styling and dry wit to crimefighting, Batman faces any peril – including other heroes stealing the show – in his relentless pursuit of justice.



Full Disclosure Notice: This DVD was given to me on behalf of Warner Bros. for the purpose of reviewing the series.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A Melancholy Happy Trails to Nate Dogg


With all due respect to Mary J. Blige, Nate Dogg was the greatest hook singer ever. Nathaniel Hale passed away yesterday after several years of health problems as the result of multiple strokes. Nate broke out with his childhood friends back in Long Beach Snoop Dogg and Warren G (who formed a group 213) who ushered in the G-Funk era in the early nineties under the tutelage of Dr. Dre. For a decade and a half, you were no one unless you could get Nate Dogg singing your hooks as he helped launch 50 Cent, Fabolous, and Ludacris, and jumped on tracks from legends like Eminem and 2Pac.

For those of us that cannot rap, Nate Dogg made the art form more accessible to join along with his Barry White delivery but smoothed out on a Gangsta tip. We may not be able to spit like the rappers he performed with, but it was much more fun to sing along with Nate, I still remember everyone around the dorms still constantly singing, Ayo, Ayo, Ayo, you don’t wanna step to me.” And “Regulators: mount up” was a rallying cry during intramural games. And I is still no fun if my homies can’t get none. Though never able to break out on his own, Nate Dogg left a big impression on my formative years. He was 41. Here are some of my favorite tracks that featured the singer.

Regulate - Warren G featuring Nate Dogg



The Next Episode - featuring Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Kurupt



Bitch Please - Snoop Dogg featuring Xzibit and Nate Dogg



Can't Deny It - Fabolous featuring Nate Dogg



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Lyrics Quiz: Green River

In two days there will probably be a few Green Rivers flowing in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and so I thought I would put the Creedence Clearwater Revival song threw iTunes Genius feature and here are the twenty-five songs they suggested which should be fairly easy for the classic rock fans out there. As always leave your guesses, both artist and song title, in the comment section or e-mail me. If you are correct I will un-bold the lyric and give you credit. Please keep in mind the lyrics quiz is for entertainment purposes only so please only use your own meandering mind to guess them.


1. I’ll wait in the queue where the trains come back. Lie with you where the shadows run from themselves.
2. You know the day destroys the night; night divides the day.
3. I like to hear some funky Dixie land and dance a honky tonk and I’ll be buying everybody drinks all round.
4. Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some. Who knows, maybe you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away for ransom.
5. He was a hard-headed man, he was brutally handsome, and she was terminally pretty. She held him up, and he held her for ransom in the heart of the cold, cold city.
6. It seems like yesterday, but it was long ago. Janey was lovely she was the queen of my nights.
7. Tambourines and elephants are playing in the band. Won’t you take a ride on the flying spoon?
8. Don’t come hanging around my door. I don’t wan to see your face no more. I got more important things to do them spend my time growing old with you.
9. I'm going way down south, way down where I can be free. Ain’t no one gonna find me. Ain’t no hang-man gonna, he ain’t gonna put a rope around me. You better believe it right now.
10. Who could hang a name on you? When you change with every new day, still I'm gonna miss you.
11. When I read the letter you sent me it made me mad, mad, mad. When I read the news that it brought me it made me sad, sad, sad.
12. I never understood a single word he said. But I helped him drink his wine and he always had some mighty fine wine.
13. She’s got hair down to her fanny. She’s kinda jet set, try undo her panties.
14. The lunatic is on the grass. Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs. Got to keep the loonies on the path.
15. What will you do when you get lonely? No one waiting by your side. You’ve been running and hiding much too long. You know it’s just your foolish pride.
16. Saw him the other night at this roadside bar. I was walking in, he was walking out. We went back inside, sat down had a few drinks.
17. And after all the violence and double talk there’s just a song in all the trouble and the strife.
18. I’m getting tired of waiting and fooling around. I’ll find somebody, who won't make me feel like a clown.
19. Let me go home, why don’t they let me go home? This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on.
20. I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are. You make it hard.
21. Sitting on the park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent. Snot is running down his nose, greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.
22. They told me when I was younger, “Boy you're gonna be president.” But just like everything else those old crazy dreams.
23. He heard one guitar, just blew him away. Saw stars in his eyes and the very next day bought a beat up six string in a secondhand store.
24. Boys and things that come by the dozen. That ain’t nothing but drugstore loving. Hey little thing let me light your candle.
25. And my mind goes back to a girl I left some years ago who told me…


Monday, March 14, 2011

March Madness Baby! 2011 Edition


It became very clear this year that the selection committee hate me. My alma mater Kent State University wins the regular season MAC championship, but loses the conference tournament in overtime (one a questionable no call on a would be game winning shot) which apparently made them unworthy to make to the big dance so numerous teams in “big” conferences that were one and done could get at large bids. Then Cleveland State University, where I did graduate work at, had the second highest RPI of teams left out after Harvard but since they are also considered a mid major, they can be left out so lower RPI “big” schools can get that at large bid. Maybe it is time to give two automatic bids for each conference, especially if they continue to expand the number of play in games. But anyway. Here are my picks and some upsets I have in my bracket.


East
Finals: Ohio State over Syracuse
Upset Special: Marquette over Xavier

West
Finals: Duke over San Diego State
Upset Special: Missouri over Cincinnati and Connecticut

Southwest
Finals: Georgetown over Kansas
Upset Special: Georgetown over Notre Dame

Southeast
Finals: Sr. Johns over Butler
Upset Special: Butler over Pittsburg

Final Four
Duke over Ohio State
St. Johns over Georgetown

Championship
Duke over St. John’s 70-65

Sunday, March 13, 2011

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 3/13/11

Shameless: Well that got serious at the end of the episode to the point where just dropped every other plotline than the returning mother.

Pretty Little Liars: Is it wrong I started laughing when Hanna slapped the glasses off the blind girl? But anyway. With one episode left until the season finale, I wonder if we will get any answers. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Pretty Little Liars on iTunes.

The Event: They really need a longer “previously on” segment, because I was still playing catch up in the second episode trying to remember things. So we got a full conformation that the hot chick is a alien – human hybrid (which puts her in the discussion of hottest hybrid ever with Evie from Out of This World). And we got a new character with an Alaskan senator who sniffing around the million dollar “weather center” in her district. I bet J. Edger Hoover would have had her wacked back in his day if she pulled a stunt like what happened on Hardball. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Event on iTunes.

Lights Out: You knew that Lights tenure with Ed Romeo would manage end worse than Ed did with Death Row, and Lights being the one cut (instead of Romeo’s wrists) certainly qualifies. But where does Lights go from here? We know Johnny has the ability to keep Lights trips to the doctors out of paper, But a gash in the mid section is a lot worse than the blurry eye he had going into the Morales fight. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Lights Out on iTunes.

Survivor: Redemption Island: Good riddance the cry baby Russell. Hopefully he sticks to his word that he is done with Survivor (though a potential lawsuit for spoiling his previous two seasons may have more to do with it). I have never been a fan of throwing challenges, and I thought that it would eventually backfire on his tribe, but they got rid of Russell and went back to dominating the immunity challenge. The one they threw may be the only one they lose until the merge. And as much as Ralph hates Russell, he hasn’t realized Russell’s biggest downfall: his ego. Ralph’s ego let him slip that he in face found the Idol in front of members of the other tribe, and the crowing after wins only puts a bigger target on his back. Much like Russell, if Ralph makes it to the final tribal council, he better not expect too many votes coming his way. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Survivor on iTunes


Justified: I read a lot of places calling this the best episode of the series so far, I didn’t see it because to me all the episodes are equally great that I really cannot judge which one is better than the others. Of course you cannot go wrong with starting an episode with Dewey Crowe being “quarantined.” And I wonder if there is a correlation between the heights of Boyd’s hair this season and the loss of sanity. But my favorite part of the episode is when Seth Bullock got in a Taser war with Whitney Ellsworth. And I have not even mentioned Mama Bennett punishment technique or Raylan’s talk with Loretta so I understand the aruement that this was th best episode of the seies. As epic as the first season finale was, we are already gearing up for a greater second season finale. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Justified on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: Poor Sheldon, as smart as he is, sometimes he is just clueless, I figured out that the group was playing with him right around the time Penny got involved. You can stream recent episodes over at cbs.com.

Also check out my season review of Greek: College Has Been Everything I Ever Imagined it To Be.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Best of the Week - 3/12/11


Quote of the Week: You’re like the hillbilly whisperer… put you on Oprah. (Art – Justified)

Song of the Week: Sea of Love – Cat Power (Pretty Little Liars)

Big News of the Week: Sheen off the Charlie: Last week’s media blitz was entertaining with all the tiger blood and warlock talk but that wore real quick when Charlie Sheen went from crazy fun to just crazy. I’ve talked more about Two and a Half Men over the past two weekes than the two season before and now it is time to not caring about one of the least funny shows on television.

Free Download of the Week: Childish Gambino EP (iamdonald.com): Last week I brought you the new video from Community’s Donald Glover’s rap alter ego Childish Gambino and you can download that and the rest of the songs on his EP for free on his website.

Deal of the Week: Blu-ray for Under $15 (Kick-Ass, Sin City, 300)

New Album Release of the Week: Scandalous - Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

New DVD Release of the Week: Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Season One, Part Two

Video of the Week: After a decae of making a name for himself on the backs of Beta Males, Judd Apatow’s next film in his production teny will focas on the quintisential Beta Female, the bridesmaid.

Bridesmaids Trailer


Next Week Pick of the Week: March Madness, Starting Thursday at Noon on CBS, TNT, TBS, and TruTV: It’s the most wonderful time of year, Spring, Shamrock Shakes, St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness all happening this Thursday (assuming McDonalds doesn’t run out prematurely like they seem to do every year). Seriously, can we just declare it national holiday because nothing will get done. Or just make next Thursday a half day like we had in grade school? To get geared up, tune into Selection Sunday starting at 5:00 on CBS while ESPN will have a three hour braketology special. And the field gets expanded to 68 teams with the last eight in battle Tuesday and Wednesday during the newly announced First Four round.