Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Breaking Down the 100 Greatest Mash-Up's of All Time


When brainstorming list to make part of my Greatest of the 00’s series, I planned on making a Mash-Up list, but since I did not have many that predated the decade, I thought I would just wait until I was done with my 00’s list and make a list of The Greatest Mash-Up’s of All Time instead (although only one mash up from the 90’s ended up making my list). I did make the cut off 2010, so no new mash up’s I found this year were eligible for the list. Here is a breakdown of the list by the numbers.

Mash-Up Artists with Multiple Songs
Aggro1 – 7
Go Home Production - 6
DJ BC – 5
Norwegian Recycling - 5
DJ Topcat – 4
DJ Schmolli – 4
Party Ben - 4
DJ Erb – 3
Pheugoo - 3
Soulwax – 3
Voicedude - 3
A Plus D – 2
Danger Mouse - 2
DJ Earworm – 2
DJ Lobsterdust – 2
Lock3down – 2
Mashup Germany – 2
Team9 – 2

Artists with Most Songs Mashed
Snoop Dogg – 7
AC/DC – 4
Beastie Boys - 4
Dr. Dre – 4
Kelly Clarkson - 4
Led Zeppelin – 4
Alicia Keys - 3
The Beatles – 3
Coldplay - 3
Destiny's Child – 3
Jay-Z – 3
Johnny Cash – 3
Kings of Leon - 3
M.I.A. – 3
Nas – 3
Prince – 3
Queen – 3
Rihanna - 3

It should be noted that Danger Mouse was the only artist to appear on the list as both a mash up artist and as someone whose song got mashed as part of Gnarls Barkley.

Mash-Up’s by Year (Note some mash-up’s are listed by the date I found them, not when they were released due to hard to find info)
1999 – 1
2000 – 2
2002 – 2
2003 – 1
2004 – 8
2005 – 14
2006 – 12
2007 – 21
2008 – 13
2009 – 12
2010 - 14

Monday, July 25, 2011

The 100 Greatest Mash Up's of All Time


1. God's Gonna Cut You Down - DJ Schmolli
Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down (vocals), Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks (drums), Beastie Boys - Sabotage (bass), Ted Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever (guitar), The Beatles - Come Together (lead guitar)



2. 99 Problems - Danger Mouse
Jay-Z (99 Problems) vs. The Beatles (Helter Skelter)




3. Boulevard of Broken Songs - Party Ben
Green Day (Holiday / Boulevard of Broken Dreams) vs. Oasis (Wonderwall) vs. Travis (Writing to Reach You) vs. Eminem (Sing for the Moment)



4. Ecstasy of Gold - dj erb
Nas (One Mic) vs. Ennio Morricone (L'estasi dell'oro (The Ecstasy of Gold))



5. You're The One I Want in the Next Episode - Disfunctional DJ
Grease (You're the One That I Want) vs. Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg (The Next Episode)



6. Spending One of These Nights with Kelly - Aggro1
The Eagles (One of These Nights) vs. Kelly Clarkson (Since U Been Gone)

7. Miracles - Norwegian Recycling
Bruno Mars (Just the Way You Are) vs. Michael Jackson (Black or White) vs. Gnarls Barkley (Crazy) vs. Taylor Swift (Fearless) vs. Jason Derulo (In My Head) Survivor (Eye of the Tiger) and more

8. Chasing the Broken Hearted - Phil RetroSpector
Snow Patrol (Chasing Cars) vs. Jimmy Ruffin (What Becomes of the Brokenhearted)

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

10. I Wish I had the Eye of the Tiger - Soulwax
Skee-Lo (I Wish) vs. Survivor (Eye of the Tiger) vs. the Breeders (Cannonball)

11. Keep the Car Crazy - DJ ViC
Beyoncé (Crazy In Love) vs. Arcade Fire (Keep the Car Running)

12. Use the Same Old Song - Mighty Mike
The Four Tops (It's the Same Old Song) vs. Kings of Leon (Use Somebody)

13. Shoot the War Pigs - inhumanz
Nas (Made You Look) vs. Black Sabbath (War Pigs)

14. How Six Songs Collide - Norwegian Recycling
Jason Mraz (I'm Yours) vs. Howie Day (Collide) vs. Five for Fighting (Superman (It's Not Easy)) vs. Angela Ammons (Always Getting Over You) vs. Boyzone (All That I Need) vs. 3 Doors Down (Here Without You)

15. Everybody's Everyday Girl - DJ BC
Fleetwood Mac (Everywhere) vs. Pharrell featuring Snoop Dogg (That Girl) vs. Dilated Peoples and Kanye West (This Way) vs. Common featuring Q-Tip (Come Close Remix (Closer)) vs. Capleton

16. Left You a Closing Lullaby - BigBadBaz
Avalanches (Since I Left You) vs. Semisonic (Closing Time) vs. Shawn Mullins (Lullaby)

17. 50 Ways to Kill Your Lover - DJ Topcat
Morcheeba featuring Slick Rick (Women Lose Weight) vs. Paul Simon (50 Ways to Leave Your Lover)

18. Papa Was a Clock - Go Home Productions
The Temptations (Papa Was a Rollin' Stone) vs. Coldplay (Clocks)

19. Behind these Immigrant Eyes - Aggro1
Led Zeppelin (Immigrant Song) vs. Kelly Clarkson (Behind These Hazel Eyes)

20. Driving With a 40 Oz - DJ BC
D12 (40 Oz.) vs. The Cars (Drive)

21. Born to Make You Bling - Pie Remix
Britney Spears (Born to Make You Happy) vs. B.G. featuring Lil' Wayne (Bling Bling)

22. Thunder Busters - Wax Audio
Ray Parker, Jr. (Ghostbusters) vs. AC/DC (Thunderstruck)

23. (Are You Gonna Be My) Dirrty Girrl? - Soundhog
Christina Aguilera featuring Redman (Dirrty) vs. Jet (Are You Gonna Be My Girl)

24. Clock a Minute – pheugoo
Coldplay (Clocks) vs. the Pussycat Dolls (Wait a Minute1)

25. Drive By with Vanilla Ice - Aggro1
Vanilla Ice (Ice Ice Baby) vs. Drive by Trucker (Never Gonna Change)

26. Light Your Fat Bottom on Fire - Aggro1
Busta Rhymes featuring Pharrell (Light Your (Expletive Deleted) On Fire) vs. Queen (Fat Bottomed Girls)

27. If I Were a Boy) vs. Tom Petty (Free Fallin')

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

29. My Name is Back in Black - Sean Cunningham
Eminem (My Name Is) vs. AC/DC (Back In Black)

30. Yoshimi Battles Snoop Dogg - DJ BC
Snoop Dogg (Not Like it Was) vs. The Flaming Lips (Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1)

31. Crushed Pony - DJ Fac
Ginuwine (Pony) vs. Paramore (Crushcrushcrush)

32. Party in the B.I.G. - Hatbanger
Notorious B.I.G. (Party and (Expletive Deleted)) vs. Miley Cyrus (Party In the U.S.A.)

33. Acoustic Alchemy - Norwegian Recycling
Jack Johnson (Taylor) vs. Green Day (Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)) vs. Josh Rouse (Quiet Town) vs. Wyclef Jean featuring Akon, Lil Wayne and Niia (Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)) vs. Christina Aguilera (Genie In a Bottle) vs. Atomic Kitten (Eternal Flame) vs. Black Eyed Peas (Don't Lie)

34. Folsom Prison Gangstaz - DJ TOPCAT
Eazy-E (Luv 4 Dem Gangsta'z) vs. Johnny Cash (Folsom Prison Blues (Live))

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

36. Notorious Trick - Go Home Productions
Kellis (Trick Me) vs. Duran Duran (Notorious)

37. The Trooper Believer - DJ Schmolli
The Monkees (I'm a Believer) vs. Iron Maiden (The Trooper)

38. Walk Away and I'll Wait - Aggro1
Kelly Clarkson (Walk Away) vs. Van Halen (I'll Wait)

39. No One to Squeeze - DJ FOX
Alicia Keys (No One) vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers (Soul to Squeeze)

40. The XX Gon' Give it to Ya - The Hood Internet
DMX (X Gon' Give It to Ya) vs. The xx (VCR)

41. M.I.A. Wanted Dead Or Alive - DJ Schmolli
M.I.A. (Paper Planes) vs. Bon Jovi (Wanted Dead or Alive)

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

43. Crazy Times - Team9
Gnarls Barkley (Crazy) vs. Prince (Sign 'O' the Times)

44. Dirt on Your Crown - DJ O-Face
Jay-Z (Dirt Off Your Shoulder) vs. Sleigh Bells (Crown On the Ground)

45. The Wavin' Flag Mashup - Mashup-Germany
K'naan (Wavin' Flag) vs. Counting Crows (Mr. Jones) vs. Kings of Leon (Use Somebody) vs. Whitney Houston (<My Love Is Your Love) vs. Matisyahu (One Day) and more

46. Dreadlock Child - Soulwax
Destiny's Child (Independent Women, Pt. I) vs. 10cc (Dreadlock Holiday)

47. House of Klezmer - DJ Faroff
House of Pain (Jump Around) vs. Amsterdam Klezmer Band vs. Pa Brapad

48. How Soon Is Independence? - Go Home Productions
Destiny's Child (Independent Women, Pt. I) vs. the Smiths (How Soon Is Now?)

49. No Taylor, No Scar - Norwegian Recycling
The Fugees (No Woman, No Cry) vs. Jack Johnson (Taylor) vs. Missy Higgins (Scar) vs. Honeywagon (When I Come Around) Colin Hay (Down Under)

50. Careless or Dead - The Kleptones
Wham! (Careless Whisper) vs. Bon Jovi (Wanted Dead or Alive)

51. Duffy Train Running - DJ Y alias JY
Duffy (Mercy) vs. the Doobie Brothers (Long Train Runnin')

52. United State of Pop 2008 (Viva La Pop) - DJ Earworm
Billboard's Top 40 Songs of 2008

53. Always With You - Divide and Kreate
Willie Nelson (Always On My Mind) vs. U2 (With or Without You)

54. Jenny's SuperstitiousDjlobsterdust
Stevie Wonder (Superstition) vs. The Killers (Jenny Was a Friend of Mine)

55. Casbah Wonder - Dunproofin'
Stevie Wonder (Uptight (Everything's Alright)) vs. The Clash (Rock the Casbah)

56. Imagine One Day (So Far Away) - Mashup-Germany
Matisyahu (One Day) vs. John Lennon (Imagine) vs. Blink-182 (All the Small Things) vs. Bob Marley (No Woman, No Cry)

57. Relm and Josie with Attitude - Relm
N.W.A. (Something 2 Dance 2) vs. the Outfield (Your Love)

58. Mashups in Heaven - Norwegian Recycling
Eric Clapton (Tears In Heaven) vs. Lionel Richie (Say You, Say Me) vs. Bob Dylan (Workingman's Blues #2) vs. Aphrodite's Child (Rain and Tears) vs. Blues Traveler (Hook)

59. War Bombs - Voicedude
Gap Band (You Dropped a Bomb On Me) vs. Edwin Starr (War) vs. Black Sabbath (War Pigs) vs. Outkast (B.O.B.)

60. Rock with Hurt - Aggro1
Johnny Cash (Hurt) vs. Ashanti (Rock Wit U (Awww Baby))

61. For the Love of C.R.E.A.M. - DJ BC
Wu-Tang Clan (C.R.E.A.M.) vs. The O'Jays (For the Love of Money)

62. Wicked Wedding - DJ Schmolli
Billy Idol (White Wedding (Part 1)) vs. Chris Isaak (Wicked Game)

63. Drop It Like It's A Whole LottLed Snooppelin - Party Ben
Snoop Dogg and Pharrell (Drop It Like It's Hot) vs. Led Zeppelin (Whole Lotta Love)

64. Rock In Black - Go Home Productions
AC/DC (Back In BlackWe Will Rock You) vs. Led Zeppelin (Black Dog) vs. Outkast (Ms. Jackson) vs. Crowded House (Weather with You) vs. Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg (The Next Episode)

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

66. Brick (Expletive Deleted) - dj magnet
Mickey Avalon (My (Expletive Deleted)) vs. Beastie Boys (Root Down) vs. the Commodores (Brick House) vs Jimi Hendrix (Purple Haze)

67. About a Girl in My Dreams - Team 9
Nirvana (About a Girl) vs. Depeche Mode (Dream On)

68. Feel Like Making La-Di-Da - FiDELSKi
Bad Company (Feel Like Makin' Love) vs. Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh (La Di Da Di (Live))

69. Four Twenty - Voicedude
Luniz (I Got 5 on It) vs. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Mary Jane's Last Dance) vs. Afroman (Because I Got High)

70. Lonely Brother - Mysterious Producer
The Police (So Lonely) vs. Jungle Brothers (The Brothers)

71. Bumble Star Galactica - DJ Le Clown
Wilson Pickett (Bumble Bee (Sting Me)) vs. Prince (Sign 'O' the Times) vs. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Boom! Shake the Room)

72. My Favorite Name - LOO and PLACIDO
Destiny's Child (Say My Name) vs. the Cardigans (My Favourite Game)

73. RiverBad – djlobsterdust
Meat Loaf (Two Out of Three Ain't Bad) vs. Morcheeba featuring Thomas Dybdahl (Riverbed)

74. This Tightropes Made For Walkin' - Party Ben
Nancy Sinatra (These Boots Are Made for Walkin') vs. Janelle Monáe featuring Big Boi (Tightrope)

75. Feel Good Roboto 2 - Victor Menegaux
Gorillaz (Feel Good Inc) vs. Styx (Mr. Roboto)

76. Are You Gonna be My Next Episode - cheekyboy
Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg (The Next Episode) vs. Jet (Are You Gonna Be My Girl)

77. Decode Rude Boy – A plus D
Rihanna (Rude Boy) vs. Paramore (Decode)

78. Get that Rocky Mountain High - DJ Erb
John Denver (Rocky Mountain High) vs. Method Man & Redman (How High)

79. The Dog Smells Like Roses - 99x
Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg (The Next Episode) vs. Guns N' Roses (Paradise City)

80. Intergalactic - Soulwax
Beastie Boys (Intergalactic) vs. Herbie Hancock (Rockit) vs. INXS (Need You Tonight) vs. AC/DC (Back In Black

81.  Funny Bizniz - The Abrahammer
M.I.A. (Paper Planes) vs Beastie Boys (Body Movin') vs. Nas (I Can)

82. Paperlong - Mighty Mike
Foo Fighters (Everlong) vs M.I.A. (Paper Planes)

83. Red Umbrella - DJTOPCAT
Rihanna featuring Jay-Z (Umbrella) vs UB40 (Red, Red Wine)

84. Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Danger Mouse
Jay-Z (Dirt Off Your Shoulder) vs. The Beatles (Julia)

85. Stand Up and Ring My Doorbell - DJ Riko
Ludacris (Stand Up) vs. The White Stripes (My Doorbell)

86. Maggie's 64 - locK3Down
Mike Jones featuring Bun B and Snoop Dogg (My 64) vs. Rage Against the Machine (Maggie's Farm)

87. Can't Tell My Wonderwall Nothing - Clinton Sparks
Kanye West (Can't Tell Me Nothing) vs. Oasis (Wonderwall)

88. Dancing Since U Been Gone - A Plus D
Robyn (Dancing On My Own) vs. Kelly Clarkson (Since U Been Gone)

89. Good ol' Fashion Rump Shaker - The Hood Internet
Beastie Boys (Shake Your Rump) vs. Matt and Kim (Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare)

90. We Will Rock and Roll You - DJ Matt Hite
Joan Jett (I Love Rock 'N Roll) vs. Queen (We Will Rock You) vs. 50 Cent (In da Club)

91. I Want You Closer - ToToM
Nine Inch Nails (Closer) vs. George Michael (I Want Your Sex)

92. Machine Gun Shelter - Party Ben
Commodores (Machine Gun) vs. Rolling Stones (Gimme Shelter)

93. Regulate Dust in the Wind - DJ Erb
Kansas (Dust In the Wind) vs. Warren G featuring Nate Dogg (Regulate)

94. Forget You, Santa! – Voicedude
Cee-Lo Green (Forget You) vs. Jackson 5 (I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus)

95. I Wish My Doorbell Rang - Sam Flanagan
Skee-Lo (I Wish) vs. The White Stripes (My Doorbell)

96. Marilou on Fire - Mighty Mike
Serge Gainsbourg (Marilou reggae dub) vs. Kings of Leon (Sex On Fire)

97. More Than on Point – DJ Topcat
House of Pain (On Point) vs. Boston (More Than a Feeling)

98. Rolling Confusion - Go Home Productions
The Rolling Stones (Street Fighting Man) vs. the Temptations (Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today))

99. Penthouse Temperature – Essexboy
Sean Paul (Temperature) vs. Alan Braxe and Fred Falke (Penthouse Serenade)

100. When the Pussycat Dolls Cry – Pheugoo
Prince and the Revolution (When Doves Cry) vs. The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes (Don't Cha)

For more on this list, check out Breaking Down the 100 Greatest Mash-Up's of All Time.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 7/24/11


Quote of the Week: And you’re still seeing the titbull? (Kelly, Rescue Me)

Song of the Week: I I've Got the World On a String – Frank Sinatra (Rescue Me)

Big News of the Week: MTV Video Music Awards Nominees Announced: It seems like a yearly rite of passage for most of the past decade when MTV unveils its nominations and I complain like an old dude yelling at kids to get off his lawn. But wait a second, this year Adele and Beastie Boys are up for Best Video. The Best Rock Video field is filled with acts that actually rock (Mumford and Sons! The Black Keys!) and no whiny emo rock crap in sight. The Song Otherwise Known as Forget You up for an award. And there is very little Lady GaGa or Britney Spears in sight. If MTV invites those acts former to perform and get a host that is actually funny, the VMA’s may be watchable this year. Seriously MTV, get Chris Rock on the phone.


Leverage: C’mon Leverage team, how did it take you almost an entire hour to figure out where the painting was? I realized where it was once Danny Glover started his story in the roller rink. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Falling Skies: So we have a Benedict Arnold in out mitts. I am a bit surprised that the aliens would be willing to grant amnesty to a human just for providing them more slaves, they seem to be able to take whatever they want when they want it. But I wonder whatever happened to the one dude’s girlfriend that was take a couple episodes back. After rescuing his brother he seems to forget all about her, not even doing anymore recon in the hospital for her and now is ready to up and move without rescuing her. You can stream recent episodes over at tnt.tv. You can also download Falling Skies on iTunes.

The Nine Lives of Chloe King: So the evil dude hired an assassin to kill Chloe but he does not know what she looks like? Seriously? When the assassin found her, how about asking him to take a picture for future reference? You know, just in case you run into her while at an art gallery? Of course if I am not mistake, Buffy ran into Glory without knowing who the other was. Or was it Dawn? Either way, drink up if you are playing my Chloe King drinking game. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Nine Lives of Chloe King on iTunes.

Rescue Me: I wonder what is going to get someone killed first (you do not think the series would end without one more major death right, I have money on Tommy and Black Shawn) Lou’s physical health or the Chief’s mental health. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.


Free Download of the Week: Swell Window – Zee Avi (Rcrd Lbl)

Deal of the Week: Save up to 58% on Hit Movies & TV Deals (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Dark Knight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

New Album Release of the Week: LP1 - Joss Stone

New DVD Release of the Week: The Blues Brothers [Blu-ray]

Video of the Week: When MTV announced they were resurrecting Beavis and Butt-Head my first thought was “Awesome.” My second thought was, “but am I still going to find it funny now that I am fourteen years older?” After seeing the first four minutes of footage, the answer is a resounding yes even if it features one hundred percent Jersey Shore which the duo obliterates to the point I wonder how the MTV executives did not step in and edit it. That’s how she answers the phone. Ha ha, ha ha.



Next Week Pick of the Week: The Challenge: Rivals, Wednesdays at 10:00 on MTV: Might as well go for the MTV trifecta even thou I probably have not mentioned MTV three times in the last year. I got back logged on the latest incarnation of The Challenge because I thought I would just watch it On Demand. But the premiere did not show up the day after. A week later and it was not there and I just forgot about it. Now I am almost completely caught up as they reach the midpoint of the season and Rivals is turning out to be one of the best with a dude getting kicked out the first night, Wes and Kenny having to work together and CT actually being entertaining and not just scary. But my favorite part of the season is when the new chick punched the mirror and starting to spout how she was from Houston and other nonsense. Someone really needs to sit that girl down and force her to watch the Chappelle’s Show segment, When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong. But if I have one complaint it is the same one that I have had with the past couple season, the unbreakable Kenny / Evan / Johnny alliance just makes things less fun.



Saturday, July 23, 2011

Around the Tubes - 7/23/11


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 Entourage, Dennis the Menace, JEM and The Holograms, America’s Got Talent, The Smurfs, CBS, Awake, Happily Divorced, and Community.

- Entourage returns for its eighth and final season this Sunday at 10:30 on HBO. Below is a look back with Gary Busey (no, seriously). If you need some extra Entourage to tide you over until Sunday, head over to the show’s Facebook page to try out their video mash up app. It may even get featured on HBO.com and its YouTube channel.



- Out this week on DVD is classic television show Dennis the Menace: The Second Season. The five DVD set includes original promos.

- Also coming to DVD shelves near you soon is JEM and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series! DVD box which will include eleven DVDs that will have all the episodes in he order they were intended to are and a DVD filled with bonus extra. The set will be released October 11.

- If you watched America’s Got Talent this week, you know the Smurfs are trying to get on the show and you can help one of them do so by voting below.






- Think you are CBS’s biggest fan? The network and Parade are teaming up to find just that. Head over to the Parade Facebook page and post an essay describing why you are its biggest fan for a chance to travel to Los Angeles to go behind the scenes of a CBS show, blog about your experience on parade.com, and receive $1,000 in spending money.

- My sources tell me that Awake is the best pilot of the new season although I am not sure if I want to watch such a heavy show on a Friday night. But I guess I have until at least January to figure that out. And if you need to make up you mind, here is the Awake Comic Con panel from yesterday.



- Fran Drescher recently talked to dot429 about her new sitcom Happily Divorced and gay ex-husband that inspired it.

- Lastly, did somebody say pop pop?



Friday, July 22, 2011

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts… We’ll Deal with that Later


In my 2000 plus posts her on the 9th Green, I am sure I have made my fair share of stupid statement; it is probably a weekly occurrence (if not more often). But none is dumber than when I trashed the Friday Night Lights pilot equating it to one of the funniest unintentional comedy of all time. Let’s hop into the Scooter Time Machine all the way back to 10/10/06:

I’ll have to admit, there were a few chill scenes throughout the first episode like in practice like the guy that fumbled the ball who had to go in front of the tackling squad. But the show is brought down by the same reason I don’t watch sports movies, it is filled with too many cliché. The worst being the quarterback predictably going down, I knew this was going to happen the moment the backup quarterback came on screen. Then they had the backup comeback from not just a touchdown deficit, but two in the final six minutes to win the game. You know, just like Varsity Blues.

And if that is not bad enough, I even predicted that Friday Night Lights would be canceled before the then new to NBC Sunday Night Football aired its final game of the season. And here we are five years later and I do not know why I continued to watch after such a bad first impression (probably Lyla Garrity’s ponytail, the single greatest ponytails ever in the history of ponytails) but it is a good thing I did because the show finished its run as one of the five greatest shows ever to grace out television screens, topping my list of the Best Television Shows the last four year and racking in seventeen Scooter Television Awards (the most of any series).

In defense of my first impressions of Friday Night Lights, my main problem with the show was the football, from the Varsity Blues rip off of the first episode to the sixty yard hail Mary in the last one, the football was riddled with clichés throughout the series’ run. Seriously, the Panthers won way too many games in the final seconds that a perennial Texas state championship contender had any right to win. There had to be a few tomato cans on their schedule.

But Friday Night Lights was not about football, it was about the people that inhabited a football town. And the show created more characters worth caring about then any show in the history of television. Jason Street adjusting to his new life. Tim Riggins sacrificing himself for his brother. Matt Saresen balancing his new position and life at home. Trya Collette getting herself into college. Vince Howard, with one foot in prison, turning his life around. Becky Sproles dealing with the hardest decision of her life. And with many television shows unable to create even one character to root for, Friday Night Lights even had a multitude of recurring characters that could have a whole show focused around them: Buddy Garrity, Mama Smash, Grandma Sarasen, Billy Riggins, Mac McGill, Herc, Tinker, all of which I would have watched a spin-off featuring them.

As great as those previously mentioned characters are, at the heart of Friday Night Lights were Coach Eric Taylor and his wife Tami. There is a good reason why many of the characters listed them as role models individually or what they inspire to be in a relationship. They managed to support each other but still managed to keep their own voices. In a show that had depth in great relationships (Eric and Buddy, Landry and Tyra, Landry and Matt, Matt and Julie, Tami and Julie, Tyra and Tami, Trya and Lyla, Coach and Lance, Tim and Billy, Tim and Becky, Billy and Luke, Vince and Coach, Tim and Jason, Tim Jason and Lyla, Smash and Tim, Smash and Mama Smash, Matt and his grandma, Vince and Jess, Coach and Jess) the coach and his wife stood above them all and may be the greatest duo in the history of television. To do all these relationship’s justice would require a 400 page book to cover them all rightly.

Sure there were a few hiccups throughout the shows run aside from the football, most notably the second season. Landry killing a dude gets plenty of hate, but people seem to forget that season two also gave us Matt hooking up with his grandmother’s nanny and if it were not for the writer’s strike, Julie could very well have hooked up with her English teacher (which I guessed just got postponed for four seasons). But it was the strength of the characters that whenever the writers took a misstep, the characters were still worth rooting for. It is because of that it was a little disappointing when a handful did not show up in the final montage.

Since reboots are all the rage these days, is 2012 too soon for a Friday Night Lights reboot? C’mon, FX, how about fast tracking that. And for those that missed the series, were watching the ABC Family re-airs before they were yanked (then why are you still reading), or just want to watch the series again, ESPN Classic just began rerunning the series from the beginning.

Friday Night Lights 5.x gets a Terror Alert Level: Severe [RED] on my Terror Alert Scale.

Friday Night Lights the series gets a Terror Alert Level: Severe [RED] on my Terror Alert Scale.



Thursday, July 21, 2011

I Want My Music Television - 7/21/11


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.


Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (feat. Santigold) - Beastie Boys & Santigold



When you hear Beastie Boys and Spike Jonze in the same sentence it is hard not to get excited, but is hard not watching their latest collaboration and not think of Team America: World Police. But then again it is hard to be disappointed with anything that involves Nazi Zombie Dolls.


Helena Beat – Foster the People



Foster the People has the surprise hit of the summer with the catchiest song about school shootings ever (sorry P.O.D.), Pumped up Kids. And they keep the violent kids theme for their new video which is like Lord of the Flies seen through a Mad Max filter.


Brighter Than the Sun - Colbie Caillat



Speaking of summer hits, I was reading an article debating what the summer anthem of 2011 is and concluding that it may be Rolling In the Deep by Adele which is pretty bad sign for the summer that a dark breakup song released just before Christmas may be the summer anthem. Since we are still a month and a half away from Labor Day, how about we throw the new Colbie Caillat song into the ring for the title. It is her catchiest song yet, even has “Sun” in the title, and handclaps; who doesn’t love handclaps in the summer?


Sugarcane – Shaggy



Speaking of summer anthems, Holy Shaggy Sighting! Sure this is not his best work, but we should write our congressmen and have them make a law requiring Shaggy to release a new song every summer. It is not like they have anything else important on their docket right now.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Previewing Issues


In a story I broke yesterday, Web Therapy debuted on television last night and if that is not enough psychoanalysis for you, today sees the premiere of Issues which you can watch over at Crackle.com. Issues follows psychologist Josh Cooke (Committed) as he analyzes animated superheroes. And when I say animated, I am talking actual cartoon characters.

There is the Superman like Captain Magnificent (voiced by Rob Riggle, Going the Distance), Robin gets spoofed by Sidecar (Seth Green, Old Dogs), the blind K9 (Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family) brings to mind Daredevil, The Dark Kodiak (Greg Grumberg, Love Bites) is the bear version of Batman, Nothing (Ron Livingston (Office Space) is basically the Invisible Man, while The Incredible Flame is the Human (Eddie Kay Thomas, American Wedding) Flame with a little Dr. Manhattan mixed in.

Unlike most therapy shows, Issues gets off the couch from time to time, most humorously when we see K9 trying to stop a burglary. And even though the episode are aired on the internet, Issue wisely utilizes the censor button, making Sidecar’s profanity laden rants against his mentor even that much funnier when half of his speech is bleeped out. With six episodes under five minutes each, you will be able to bang out the show in a lunch break once all the episodes are uploaded. Hopefully there is a second season featuring supervillians coming soon. Check out the trailer below:


From Crackle: Trailer


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Previewing Web Therapy


The transition from internet to television has not gone very well so far. NBC optioned Quarterlife during the writer’s strike and pulled in The CW type ratings. $#*! My Dad Says went from Twitter to CBS to canceled over the course of a year. But my sources tell me the third time is the charm so maybe Web Therapy may buck the trend.

Web Therapy, just like the internet version, stars Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback) as an inept therapist who decides instead of the sit in the office for an hour session to do three minute sessions via chat over the internet and the show is shown solely from the vantage point of Kudrow’s monitor. The Showtime version will be a combination of the “sessions” featured on the internet version mixed with new scenes that deal with her personal life including Victor Garber (You Again) as her husband and Lily Tomlin (The Pink Panther 2) as her mother.

The show does boast an impressive list of guest stars including Rashida Jones, Jane Lynch, Steven Weber, Alan Cumming and Kudrow’s good friend Courtrney Cox. But the thing that made Web Therapy the internet show, may be the drawback of Web Therapy the television show. Watching someone’s computer monitor on your monitor makes sense, but seems too contained of an idea when watching it on a big screen HDTV. But some of the patients, most notable Lynch’s character with anger issue, make some episodes worth tuning into.

Web Therapy airs Tuesdays at 11:00 on Showtime.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

57 Channels and Only This Is On - 7/16/11


Quote of the Week: Texas forever. (Tim and Billy Riggins, Friday Night Lights)

Song of the Week: Heaven – Brandi Carlile (Friday Night Lights)

Big News of the Week: America Comes Up Short: Augments could have been made after the USA beat Brazil that it was the best game ever of any sport, right up there with the Miracle on Ice. Now that they came up short in the World Cup final, the Brazil match sits squarely in the second tier with all the other “Yeah, but” games. And the Japan win was eerily reminiscent of the US beating Brazil (sans any controversial referee moments) with a late goal in extra time and pulling out the win in penalty kick. They even got a red card, but only had to be down one player for seconds (and America was just about a foot away from possibly getting a penalty kick win in regulation). And if Alex Morgan is reading this, you are more than welcome to cry on my shoulder as long as you like.

Alex Morgan: call me



Leverage: I would not have been opposed had they done an entire segment devoted to the team trying to get the douchebag to do something heroic. That was comedy gold. You can stream recent episodes on TNT.tv. You can also download Leverage on iTunes.

Falling Skies: The creepiest moment of the short series has to be when the skitter led the children into the room and nested on them like a mama bird. It creeps me out just writing that. You can stream recent episodes over at tnt.tv. You can also download Falling Skies on iTunes.

Rescue Me: with just two months worst of episodes left, I am ready to say goodbye to this show. The part where Tommy took a drink so he could hear the dead people, just to spit it out was a little too much for me. Considering the show will end with the anniversary of 9/11, I am sure there will be a touching sendoff, but I fear the lead up will be too cumbersome. Granted the firehouse discussion of offensive stereotypes on reality television was entertaining. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download Rescue Me on iTunes.

Friday Night Lights: The finale is still a little fresh and am still formulating my thoughts (which will be too long for this space) so until I get the digital version of pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?) check out Grantland’s Oral History of Friday Night Lights, which hopefully is a precursor of a 250-page book. You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.

Friday Night Lights on iTunes


Free Download of the Week: Pilot - Alphas, Season 1

Deal of the Week: Favorite HBO Shows for Up to 65% Off (Deadwood, Eastbound and Down, Six Feet Under)

New Album Release of the Week: Universal Pulse - 311

New DVD Release of the Week: Young Justice: Season One V.1

Video of the Week: Earlier this week I reviewed her band’s Cocoon album (see I Gave Up on Giving Up on Me) and for those that that want to relive her time on the Voice, here is the Best of Dia Frampton (though you should go to Hulu and search her name for her full performances, or just go to iTunes and buy her songs).



Next Week Pick of the Week: Rescue Me, Wednesday at 10:00 on FX: With everthing going on last week, I almost forgot that Rescue Me was returning for its final season. First episode back was a little rocky (if I am not mistaken, the last two seasons were originally supposed to be one, but the network broke them up so the show could end just prior to the tenth anniversary of 9/11), but hopefully it ramps up for its series finale just days before we memorialize that tragic day.