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
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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!
The Season Finale of True Blood. I’ve been left with an unsatiable taste for more. Alas, Bill Compton will note rise from his coffin again until summer 09. Consider officially depressed for the holidays.
“Skins” on BBC America. Smarter and funnier than “Gossip Girl,” once you get past the Brit-speak. But it’s partially subtitled for us Yanks.
TV/Web/DVD: “A Colbert Christmas.” With Thanksgiving officially behind us, I will initiate my lift on the holiday-spirit ban by repeatedly watching Colbert’s hilarious (and quite musical) take on the season.
Music/DVD: Justice’s “A Cross the Universe” DVD/CD set. I usually balk at words like “deluxe,” “re-release,” and “set,” but this is a full-fledged rock doc paired with a mind-blowing list of live remixes and reiterations. Think Alive 2007 with a substantial visual accompaniment.
Left 4 Dead — amazing game, even better with friends and it’s definitely on my must list.
Check out the re-release of U2’s Under a Blood Red Sky live CD, with the bonus DVD. This was their first officially released concert album,recorded at the Red Rocks ampitheatre in Colorado, as well as their first concert video release in North America. The DVD inclusion however is the true prize as it shows the band in their early days with a ferocious performance, both passionate and mesmerizing (aside from Bono’s rather dated super-mullet). It is a stark reminder of how U2 quickly captured the attention of audiences with the power of their music and their ability to connect with their fans. Watch and listen to “11 O’Clock Tick Tock” to experience one of their earlier more underrated and fiery songs.
I can’t get enough of the building Oscar Buzz – I’m getting too excited by the season and the prospects of all these great films about to be released!
Scott Porter
Scott Porter
Scott Porter
Always underrated on a cast of many notable standouts, but the real heart of FNL was always Jason Street. I’m sad to see him go, but glad that I got to know him.
Also FNL is having a monster season that no one is able to see. I hope NBC really promotes it come January. People should really be watching it.
The Big Bang Theory
Dean Koontz, Your Heat Belongs to Me
Bones
Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwhiches, I am addicted to those things!
Tom Jones new album “24 Hours. Now my grandma and I can say we share the same makeout music…creepy.
HDTheater channel’s “Destroyed in Seconds” Millions of dollars in top gear obliterated on a tv show that costs a $1.99 to shoot but has a 1080p ratio…love it.
TASCHEN books: expensive looking, high quality coffee table books that anyone can afford and make us all look like Europe.
1. Big Bang Theory- Jim Parsons is a JOY to watch. Love all the nerd stuff that needs translation from my hubby.
2. Kath and Kim- Who knew Molly Shannon could be so endearing? Great cast with the occasional dance number make this my secret guilty pleasure.
3. Simon Baker in “The Mentalist”. Okay I would watch him in anything. But he makes this ordinary procedural into Something New. Come for his stunning good looks, stay for the occasional lapse into his native aussie accent. Yum.
Blue October’s ‘The Sound of Pulling Heaven Down, O.A.R ‘All Sides’ CD, and Keith Urban’s Sweet Thing. I seem to be playing these on loop lately.
‘Twilight’ soundtrack, ‘I Was Told There’d Be Cake’ book, Paramore, Beyonce’s Single Ladies
Ugly Betty, season 3 – The congratulatory phone call between a giddy Marc and Betty was beyond adorable, successful proving that the show has finally found its heart again.
Lost, season 5 – alright, it hasn’t started yet – But I’m seriously going nuts. Is it January, yet?
Colbert’s Christmas Special – Stephen Colbert stuck in a cabin, singing original Christmas tunes about nutmeg and weed? An instant holiday classic.
Tanedra and Michelle from VH1’s scream queens. The former for her fine acting chops and level personality, and the latter for being a hateful monster worthy of villainess hall of fame. (When Michelle was acting possessed by the devil in a recent episode, my friend shouted at the screen “just be yourself!”
You just gotta love Oscar season. With Australia, Milk, Cadillac Records and Frost/Nixon (and some more) a lot of movies-definately-to-watch are coming up. Some of them will bomb, some of them will be ok and at least won will be awesome and great.
Also, some love for Amy Winehouse. Finally leaving the man who destroys her life is the best I’ve heard of her in a long time.