What I'm Reading & Watching

What did the cormorant say to the sea lion??

I have had a hell of a weekend. We went snorkeling, chilled out, hung out for my dad's 71st birthday, and I thought it would be low-key and I would get ahead of email and social posts for work and get caught up when, BAM!, I got a FINAL NOTICE from Photobucket that they're switching to a subscription based model and all photos over their free limit would be deleted by Monday, September 9th. I wouldn't have noticed, to be honest, because my original account is linked to an email that is just chock-full of spam which I never read. So I missed months of such notifications. However, I had a second account affected, too, which is when I took it seriously. More of my woe-is-me  tale after the jump (and actual stuff I'm reading and watching)

TV Series Premiere: Workaholics premieres on Comedy Central

The funny thing about blogging is that after a while your email is on a thousand different PR lists. Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason why a music blog would get certain emails. ("Hey, we have great sheepskin boots for half the price of Uggs. Can we send you a pair in exchange for a blog post?") Other times I think about random stuff I've written about and perhaps it makes sense.

I don't really tell you just how much TV I watch...since I'm generally out every night watching live music, my options are generally limited to late night (addicted to Chelsea Lately) and things I can find OnDemand and on Hulu, but I still seem to see plenty. Lately I've been catching up on shows and haven't really seen anything first run, which is why when I got an email from Comedy Central about their new show Workaholics, I was game. The show is scripted and hilarious. It's the brainchild of these dudes, Blake Anderson, Adam Devine and Anders Hol, who were filming sketch comedy for their YouTube Channel, Mail Order Comedy and eventually got enough attention that they got their own show.

I got a chance to watch the first three episodes and believe me, if you like stoner humor along with office humor, you're gonna like this show. Think Office Space and Grandma's Boy. The first episode is called "Piss and Shit" if that tells you anything, but the comedy is never forced, the dialog is hilarious, and the self-deprecation is endearing. The show makes it's debut tonight on Comedy Central, and if the first three episodes are any indication, these are guys you're gonna wanna see a lot more of. Guess I know who I'll be stalking at Comic-con. For more info on the show, click here.

"This is a divided nation, reeling from betrayal"

Last week Tim Robbins addressed the National Association of Broadcasters and gave quite a speech to them about their role and responsibility as media professionals. It felt like something worth posting today, with the Pennsylvania primary and all.

Barack Obama Wins A Grammy!

I have to admit, I've been enjoying the Grammys this year. Daft Punk & Kanye killed it. Foo Fighters are rocking as I type. I'm not so much into the awards themselves because I almost always disagree with the academy (I'm not a fan of Amy Winehouse, and she pretty much swept the categories and I really believe that Once was robbed more than once), and I'm more interested in the awards that usually aren't announced during the show. Anyway, the full list of winners is here in case you lack patience like I do.

Some highlights:

Our next president won a Grammy! (Beating out Bill Clinton, fyi)

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)

The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream
Barack Obama[Random House Audio]


Best Comedy Album (For comedy recordings, spoken or musical):

The Distant Future
Flight Of The Conchords
[Sub Pop]

And anyone paying attention- local boys As I Lay Dying lost the best metal category to Slayer. Boo.

YouTubin

Posting this just for the hell of it.

Comanche Moon Blows!

This show is bloody painful to watch. Oooh...you used the "n" word in the first 10 minutes, you have every cliche...the brothel, the natives speaking in third person, the cowboy who only thinks about killing Indians and the one who only thinks about love. With such an all star cast, this show shouldn't suck. But it does. Horribly. Is there anything else to watch tonight??

Writer's Strike Kills Golden Globes/ Daily Show is Back

The Writer's strike has it's first major casualty: the Golden Globes have been canceled. Praise Jesus!

And in GOOD television news, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are back tonight, though the format will be experimental with no writing allowed.

The Song from 'Cane' - My Ship Is Coming In...

So apparently people like when I post music from shows and commercials, and I wouldn't do so if I didn't have the same curiosity, but I kept seeing those scenes from the next episode of Cane and I knew it was a familiar voice....so I stretched my brain. That's Colin Hay, the same voice that brought you those lingering lines from the Garden State soundtrack:

"Without you here, there is less to see
Don't want you thinking I'm unhappy
What is closer to the truth
If I lived till I was a hundred and two
I just don't think I'll ever get over you"

Maybe Colin is more noted from his popularity in Men At Work with hits like "Who Can It Be Now?" or "Down Under" or "Be Good Johnny", but personally I prefer the solo acoustic stuff.

So yes, the same man, that's his song in the Cane preview to the big cancer episode, "Waiting For My Real Life To Begin" from the album "Going Somewhere". I think it's kinda lame that I'm gonna post this, but here's the song on YouTube with no accompanying video, but all other versions online seem to suck balls.



You can check out all of Colin's music at his site here.

Unemployed TV Addict

With my 10 hour days at work, I never realized how awesome daytime TV can be. I never got home in time to catch the local evening news and man, what I was missing. Not that I can live on the dole forever, but at least today, after getting laundry done, cleaning my house, and having an afternoon meeting, I'm catching the news. It's all about News 8.

Stan Miller is hands down the best newscaster in town.

The story was about Russia. Apparently a governor? mayor? not really sure, but someone in Russia's government urged people to stay home from work today to make love to reproduce in an effort to quell Russia's declining birth rate. The government also promises a "prize" to anyone who has a baby in Russia exactly 9 month's from today.

Cut back to Stan. "hmmmm, I like that idea." Oh, Stan, you slay me.

Doesn't anyone else watch The Hills?

Do they have the same eyes, or is it just me?

New Animal Collective- Peacebone

this is for the guy who wrote the "searching for hipster" ad on craigs list. i started out on craigs list looking for jobs, but it was waaaay more interesting reading personal ads.



of course, now in my backcheck, i see this was already posted on 'gum, but whatever. it's late at night, i'm hitting a shitload of sites tonight.

in fact, i just finished watching full episodes of one of my favorite new shows (now in its 2nd season), My Boys, that appears on Monday nights on TBS. I missed the last couple episodes, and the annoying fact that each show is broken into four parts is forgivable when you realize there's a "panic" button at the top of the site page, so if you're watching at work, when you hit it, a faux excel spreadsheet pops onto your screen.

The Hills Hilarity

If you watch the Hills, you have got to click this link. Seriously. Heidi Montag has a song and whether its a joke or not, it's worth listening to. There's a link on that site to the song and the broadcast from Ryan Seacrest on KIIS. And sorry if I'm behind the curve on this one. How did I miss this?

"Heidi Montag, yeah that's my girl"

Viva Viagra

I have seen everything. While I sit here typing away and uploading photos, I'm watching the Sunday evening news and am completely disturbed by the newest Viagra commercial. It features a circle of boomers sitting in a circle, all playing guitars and singing together. oh. my. god. There are no words.

Sorry Excuse For A Blogger: Visiting the San Diego Zoo, Superbad, MTV

A great deal of my personal and free time is spent enjoying music. For me, as many people, it's about the escapism of it...lyrics and music I may or may not relate to, accompanied by a few cocktails to help me forget about the hum-drum of working a 9 to 5. The funny thing about that, is that now that I'm unemployed, there's nothing to escape from. I mean, I will have to buckle down and find a new day job, but I've really thoroughly enjoyed this week, spending time with my family, particularly my new niece Johanna, and haven't been spending all that much time in front of the computer. I'll get back on it, post my pics from Monday (maybe when I get home tonight), but it's funny how much living there is to do in this town.


Today, my friend Darcy, my sister, Johanna and I started our day with an early lunch at Ponce's (always delicious), then we spent the day climbing the inclines of the San Diego Zoo. Let me say, if you're a softy (like I am) and all in love with the wonder of life (as clearly I am these days), then this is a great time to go to the zoo. There are babies EVERYWHERE. Not just the typical mom's with strollers, I'm talking about all that winter lovin the animals made has produced results.


From the second you walk in and see the dozens of flamingo chicks, to the duck chicks, all the way down gorilla tropics to the baby monkeys in Ituri Forest (where did the otters go?), to the ridiculous line hoping to catch a glimpse of the pandas (though easier to just check the panda-cam) to the new baby giraffe that was born last Thursday and is already 6 feet tall.

My only regret was that we didn't stay into the nighttime zoo action, when all the animals go kinda nutso. It's nice to be a tourist in my own city.

I was home by 4:45, enough time to shower and head down to get in line for the screening of Superbad. Daye sent out the e-mail this morning, and being free with my time, I took my laptop and iPod down and sat my ass in line by 5:20 for the 7 pm showing. It wasn't long before the line was wrapped down the street and several of our friends showed up. We were able to secure almost two full rows for the screening. I was up late last night watching various stars of the film promote on late night shows and with 3 different clips, knew this was a movie I'd want to see and it didn't disappoint. It is funny. People are calling it "the funniest movie of the year" though I would argue that there's not really that much competition in the arena. This movie was hysterical, despite the absolute OBSESSION with dicks, fellatio, tits, booze, dick, dick, and more dick. Behind all of it, there is a good story about how we deal with the transition from high school to college, knowing we'll have to part from some friends and life as we knew it. There were moments that reminded me a lot of other movies in the high school/college party genre...Garden State in some of the party and cop scenes, American Pie in some of the "shocking" sex moments, Napoleon Dynamite in the dorky language of high school, but those are all good places to draw from and the movie was hilarious. My only disappointment is that in a packed theatre, you miss a lot of the dialog from people laughing so hard...but for me a problem because I know I probably won't see the movie again till I buy a DVD after the release...which could be 6 months away. If you're not averse to theatres, however, I highly recommend seeing the movie when it is released on August 17th, or if you're lucky, catch the screening next week. If I get info on that, I'll pass it on. And a special shout out to the uber sweet girl who sat in our row. "Those seats are saved," we said. "Too bad." Aww, I love the kindness of strangers.

Anyway, I was deciding on where to go and what to do tonight and then quickly changed plans when I discovered that the new Real World is on, followed by the new Hills that I missed. omg. I don't really care that I'm 30. I love this shit. Maybe I'll hit the Ken Club after, but for now, I want my MTV. (ps- actually the Hills are reruns that I never saw. New episode on Monday)

Drew Carey to Replace Bob Barker on The Price Is Right

I did not see that one coming at all.

Newsy Bits: American Idol, Radio Sophie, Street Scene Lineup, Delta Spirit

Last week, I mentioned that FM 103.7 was dropping their Free Radio format for a "K-Surf 60s and 70s format." While Free FM did drop the talk format, the new format is um... not sure what we can call it...I guess it's not quite alternative, not quite triple A, not really top 40. It's called Radio Sophie and it appears to fall somewhere between FM 94/9 and KPRi. Bands like The Kooks, Death Cab, Lifehouse, Rob Thomas, Arcade Fire, and Kelly Clarkson are all featured in their top 100. I might have to drop one of my Rock En Español presets and check her out. FYI, Sophie, wife of CatDirt, is NOT happy about the station name.
*****
According to CityBeat's Blog (Last Blog On Earth), more Street Scene Bands have been announced. Sean Na Na (Har Mar Superstar's Mellower Indie Band), Kinky, Mika, Biff Clyro have all been added. As I commented on that site, I'd like to see más rock en Español. If ticket sales are sluggish, you can always count on enthusiastic Mexicanos to make up for it with just a couple solid bands...los Jaguares, perhaps? Tijuana local Julieta Venegas, maybe? And you've already got the Sweet and Tender Hooligans to bring out their crowd of "tacobilly" kids, right? LiveNation, I'm trying to help ya out here... Also, I think it would be a good time to remind Zach de la Rocha where he comes from. Rage Against the Machine would be a hell of a headliner and they seem to keep adding dates. Of course, pretty white Republican Del Mar might object and be the biggest obstacle.
*****
American Idol hopefuls, get ready. For the first time ever, San Diego will be the first audition stop for the next season of AI. The open cattle call audition will be at Qualcomm Stadium on July 30. This the only west coast audition scheduled thus far. Get out your cameras because it's gonna be quite a scene. Last year's Rose Bowl audition drew over 20,000 people. Fortunately for America, I don't make the cut-off age of 28.
*****
So-cal band Delta Spirit are working on a new album and are featured on KEXP. According to their MySpace blog:

We are back in the studio finishing up the last bit of recording for our record. Derek (the man) and Spot (the dog) are letting us crash here at the cabin again in the beautiful mountains of Julian (San Diego.)

You can read what KEXP has to say about them here.

Another reason to go to TNT & House Of Blues Tonight

If you stay home, chances are you'll end up staying home watching the premiere of 8:00 p.m. Fast Cars & Superstars on CBS. In case you forgot, this is the show that pairs celebrities with stock car racing's most popular drivers to compete against each other in a real race. Some of those celebrities include Jewel, Serena Williams, and William Shatner. Just a question...can you name a 'popular stock car driver' off the top of your head?

Instead, head to the Museum of Contemporary Art Downtown for TNT (Thursday Night Thing):

Surprise Party: Join us for a TNT where nothing is what it seems. Taking its cue from the witty and often humorous work of Cerca Series artist William Feeney, TNT will explore the surprising and unexpected hidden in the everyday. Join the artist in the galleries as he speaks about his work. Then stay for an unconventional assortment of entertainment in the Outdoor Gallery (including standup comics), plus live music by Kite Flying Society, Swim Party, and DJ Contractor.

TNT starts at 7pm and there's a $3 suggested donation.

After, catch Thao Nguyen in the Get Down Stay Down at the House of Blues Sidestage. They always say the shows are at 8, but they have to clear the restaurant first, so they usually start around 10pm. The show is $5.

Thursday Newsy Bits

Are you ready for SuperStardom? Are you ready for Simon Cowell to own you? Fox is expanding it's Americon Idol-ish programming and will be adding a show in the fall, tentatively called The Search for The Next Great American Band. Nothing like elevating the Battle of the Bands format to its highest level. The bright side (if there is one) is that it will have its own judges. No Simon, Paula, or Randy. I have a horrible feeling that this show, while completely ridiculous, will totally suck me in, the same way the nightmare that was Rockstar Supernova did. If they are looking for a Simon-esque character, might I suggest Steve Jones? He's honest, and can be brutally so if pressed. I'd like him to have all of America saying "mustard or pants?"

Hey Fox, San Diego has talent! Can we get a local audition?
*****
According to MediaWeek's "The Daily Insider", Veronica Mars might not be canceled after this season.

Veronica Mars is being retooled for a potential fourth season. In the new scenario, the show would flash ahead to a few years into the future with Veronica (Kristen Bell) studying at the FBI Academy.

The series currently films a lot in San Diego, but could this move result in it being filmed elsewhere? Enrico Colantoni, who plays Veronica's father on the show (and better known as Elliott from "Just Shoot Me" was living down the street from me for a while but the house has been for sale for a couple months now and I haven't seen him walking the dog lately. Maybe he won't even be part of the 4th season?

By the way, I realize that this information is like "who cares?" to everyone who reads this blog except Daye, so he gets some love today.
*****
Tickets on sale this weekend: FM 94/9 Independence Jam. Purchase at casbahtickets.com or go to M-Theory, Lou's or either San Diego Hydroponics & Organics location. $40 flat. That is a freakin bargain.
Also on sale: Rusted Root & Backdoor Slam, playing HoB 7/12 (onsale Friday)and Blue October, playing HoB August 24 (onsale Saturday). Also announced, The Game will be performing at 4th&B on June 24. Tickets for that show will also be available via House of Blues on Saturday. Tickets are $41.50 plus $245.50 in service charges. (just kidding)
*****
The StreetScene lineup is nowhere near being announced. (hell, the venue isn't even confirmed), but the CityBeat blog has a pretty good gauge of who might be coming based on the Austin City Limits festival happening one week before Street Scene. Check the blog out here.
*****

Really Random Wednesday Newsy Bits: Delta Spirit, Bad TV review, TAANG!

I got an e-mail today from my friend Tina that it was 15 years ago today that she met Ricky, her husband now of several years, at a party at my house. A huge shout out to Variety Pak for playing that show- Tricky, Froot Loop...who else was there? Man, I was booking shows at 14!
*****
I loved the Delta Spirit debate yesterday. CatDirt wrote, too, and you can see his post here with all the comments he generated. I will link the article in CityBeat as soon as they post their stuff on the web. (what is taking so long CB?)Finally, here's the link.
*****
Kallao, a dj on 91x, is a phenomenal photograher. He's posted a tons of pics from SXSW and his personal blog entries that accompany those photos on Flickr. You can see all of it here.
*****
TAANG! Records is requesting submissions from Independent Hardcore bands (from all locales, not just San Diego). Get them your music by April 10, at which time they will choose bands and host a showcase show. Friend request them on their MySpace page and click on the blog. Or just go to the store and say hi to Curtis and Miggs and the rest of the guys there.
*****
There's some great stuff in the Reader's "Blurt this week". Street Scene in Del Mar? (CatDirt was on that a couple weeks ago, but still.) Hot Monkey Love cancels rap shows.

Most interesting: House of Blues has new talent buyers. I just got an e-mail from my friend this morning about the House of Blues:

Subj: House of Suck

This is ridiculous:

Ticket at HOB (name of band withheld at Dave's request):
$20
+ $4 Convenience Fee
+ $8 Venue Fee
+ $2 Will Call Fee
=$34 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(online purchase)

I have been pretty clear about my feelings about House of Blues. The buyers can complain about low profits or people not going out on weeknights, but the truth is the HoB has bullied other venues outta shows by guaranteeing bands more cash, thereby raising ticket prices to a range most people aren't willing to pay regularly. I go there as the exception, not a rule. Dave now intends to write every band coming to town to let them know how the HoB jacks us. I just might do the same.
*****
Do you shop at Henry's? Wanna be on TV?

Henry's is shooting a new television commercial and we need your help!
We believe our customers are the most important part of our business.
That's why we've chosen to highlight you in our new commercial. We're looking
for loyal Henry's customers who are passionate about shopping at Henry's Farmers
Market stores. To be considered for an appearance in our new
commercial, you just need to send an email to events@henrysmarkets.com with the following information: name, age, location of the store you shop at, picture and a
short paragraph about why you shop at Henry's.

The deadline for entries is this Friday, March 30, 2007 -
so don't delay! Must be available for filming Friday, April 6, 2007 at Carlsbad
location.

*****
I didn't go out last night so no real recap, but I did watch a lot of really bad tv so I thought that might be worth a recap for once:

7:30-8p:

Entertainment Tonight: Gianna Versace's daughter is "fighting a brave fight against anorexia." From the autopsy, Anna Nicole did a shitload of prescription drugs, had a boob job, and an "unremarkable anus".

Simultaneous viewing from 8-9pm:

American Idol: crap. crap. crap. Gwen Stefani was the guest this week so the performers either did No Doubt songs or songs that inspired her. The stylist this week especially sucked. All the clothes were disgusting and I don't even need to comment about Sanjaya's hair. I can't believe I watched any part of this. I think I might have a crush on Simon. Troy Johnson would kick ass as a host on this show.

The Daily Show/Colbert Report (repeats from Monday): Alberto Gonzalez is a douchebag. John Oliver is hilarious. Colbert has another editing challenge.

Simultaneous viewing 9-10pm:

Dancing With The Stars: I know I'm not exactly in the 54-99 age demographic for this show, but I handled exactly 2 minutes of the show. While I appreciate the athleticism it takes to do some of the dances, I don't find anything sexy or appealing about any of it.

Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll: "Asia dances like a transvestite." Sisely was booted off the show. I'm still looking for that fine line between sexy and trashy because pretty much every show, every outfit, every dance is pretty trashy.

Simultaneous viewing 10-11p:

Bad Girls Club: I didn't even know this show was still on. I feel a marathon weekend coming up because I've missed the show for weeks. I didn't even know it was still on. Idiot chicks pretty much getting wasted all the time and then talking shit about each other getting wasted. Doesn't get much better than that. (Oh! Network)

Tori & Dean Inn Love: A pregnant Tori Spelling wanders around SoCal in search of a Bed and Breakfast to purchase where they will live and start a business. Looks like they decided on Temecula and were won over by the charm of Fallbrook.

Great American Dream Vote: You know any show hosted by Donny Osmond is going to be phenomenal. (I just threw up in my mouth a little) I don't really understand the show, but the four finalists voted on by the studio audience had the following "lifelong dreams":

• bald guy: a full head of hair
• midwest lady: turn her daughter into a rodeo queen
• other blonde: open a dog sanctuary for aging hounds
• jersey guy: open a flower shoppe for his wife

Clearly you can see the quality of this show. I didn't tune in long enough to see which two finalists made it to the American vote.


CW News @ 10: San Diego was windy yesterday. Some doctor is missing. Eddie Griffin crashed a Ferrari.

11p-12a:

The Daily Show: The Dems snuck some ridiculous pork barrel language to their war spending bill in order to get enough votes for passage. Irritating, but probably done just to make a point stronger than a non-binding resolution because it will get vetoed by Bush who ha vowed to veto any bill with a timeline or benchmarks attached to it. The correspondent on there sucks now, I want Rob Corddry back. Dennis Miller is a fucking idiot.

Colbert Report: Madeline Albright is such a cool lady.

Time to sleep. I can't believe I remember any of that crap today.

Why Going Out is Superior To Staying In: American Idols Do Modest Mouse

After work last night I had to swing by Target for my pet essentials...kitty litter and pet food. I also bought CDs by Arcade Fire and The Shins. I know that is bad because I'm not supporting independent record stores, but at $9.99, at least some of the guilt is erased from having pre-release burned copies of both. I decided that I would stay home and catch up on horrible TV like the Hills and Real World, but also caught a glimpse of American Idol. All I can say is, Why, Isaac Brock? Why???

Click here for the video of Float On.