Congratulations go out to one of my all-time favorite artists, Jody Watley, who scored a top 5 hit last week on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart with "A Beautiful Life." It’s the 32nd Billboard top 10 of her career, according to her publicist, and in case you’re wondering, it’s a Watley original (co-written with Rodney Lee), not a remake of Ace of Base’s "Beautiful Life." I’ve been obsessed with the empowering anthem since Watley’s last album, The Makeover, dropped way back in August 2006. But as is often the case with indie artists, the climb to success can be slow and steady, so it’s nice to see a larger audience finally embracing Watley’s ditty about breaking free from an unhealthy relationship. In fact, it kinda makes you wonder why there’s no room on Top 40 radio for a hook this sticky, sung by a voice that’s only grown richer and more nuanced with time. No matter, though, because "A Beautiful Life" is on my Must List this week (and for the foreseeable future).
What about you, PopWatchers? What beautiful things are on your Must List this week? List up to three items from current TV/movies/music/books/games/online. Don’t forget your e-mail address, in case we decide to use your submission in the magazine. Deadline is early this week, thanks to Turkey Day, so post your picks by Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. ET.
More on Miss Jody Watley, EW’s Must List
Michael Slezak talks to Jody Watley about her new album, plastic-surgery rumors, and more
Friday Morning Coma Cure: Jody Watley’s ‘Real Love’
The Must List: What’s Hot for the Week of Nov. 23, 2008
How I Met Your Mother. This show gets funnier and funnier every week. Why is there no tv watch for it????
I should have added this last week, but Tony Hale on Chuck. I miss Buster Bluth, but I also missed Emmett’s presence this past week. Hale’s take on the micromanaging some retail higher-ups can adopt rings true, and let’s face it, wine coolers do taste like high school.
I love Jody Watley’s songs. I have followed her solo career the past 2 decades and it’s good to hear that she has a top 5 dance hit! I listened to one of her 1987 songs this past summer in Georgia on I-95. It was “Don’t You Want Me.” It’s good to hear that she’s still writing and recording songs and challenging herself.
DaytimeConfidential.com is simply one of the best outlets for soap opera commentary and offers one of the funniest–yet thoughtful–podcasts out there. EW out to let them cover soaps for the magazine.
Scott Porter on ‘Friday Night Lights’. His portrayal of the noble Jason Street was enough to make anyone cry.
Adam Baldwin on Chuck (who just gets funnier and funnier) and this week’s Bones–dying to see how Booth tops that librarian line that will certainly go down in history as hottest. line. EVAR. Also there’s no way I’m missing Fringe, either. It’s one of my favorite shows now, and I’m interested to see what Dr. Bishop is going to do to poor, long-suffering son Peter next. The hypnotism bit last week as hilarious.
Slumdog Millionaire
Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
Chuck.
Evan Handler and Pamela Adlon on Californication. David Duchovny is great, but these two make the show for me.
Evan Handler and Pamela Adlon on Californication. David Duchovny is great, but these two make the show for me.
Season/Series finale of The Shield and season finale of Sons of Anarchy. Two nights of total intensity and drama; it will be a disappointment when these two are done.
John Legend and Willie Nelson on “A Colbert Christmas”. The whole show was brilliant and I love Elvis Costello, but these two stole the show with holiday odes to nutmeg and harmonious weed.
This season of Dexter is the best show on TV right now. Perfectly acted and written, the show has gone from interesting to addictive in the last few weeks.
Billy Burke (in the movie that shall not be named)
Mayne Street on espn.com (for those in need of a DanceCenter fix)
Sleeping in on Black Friday
“The Naked Man”
Glen Campbell’s underrated Meet Glen Campbell from earlier this year. Hope to see it at Grammy time!