Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller released his third solo CD last Tuesday, and the self-titled disc's lead single, ''I Need To Know Where I Stand,'' has planted its country-tinged pop rock firmly atop my Must List this week. Miller is one of my favorite live performers, partly because I love his music but also because his stage banter is both hilarious and off-the-cuff (unlike other bands, who you know recite the same ''impromptu'' stories night after night). While you can listen to the song (and the rest of the album) on his MySpace page, check out this adorable video of Miller explaining the song's origins: It's about him making out with a girl at debate camp when he was in high school.
What's on your Must List? Next week's online Must List will be ***all readers' choice*** — so by all means, fire away with more gusto and/or torque than usual. Hit us with 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 Thursday, June 18, at noon ET.
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‘Weeds’ on Showtime
Kat on “So You Think You Can Dance” – she’s the best host of any reality competition on TV. And I honestly can’t believe that some lame tard at EW didn’t think that “SYTYCD” was one of the Top 20 reality shows – sorry, but it’s WAY better than “Real Houswives”, “The Hills”, or any of those lame “Bachlor” shows.
Of course it’s got to be Mariah’s lead single from ‘MOAIA’ ‘Obsessed.’ Take that, Eminem! Go MC!
1. Stephen Colbert’s hair – Who knew he would look so good with a buzz cut… a buzz cut that President Obama ordered personally?
2. The return of Better Off Ted – It was funniest new show of the year, and it’s coming back this Tuesday to make my summer that much better.
Ghostbusters for Wii. Ever wanted to catch a ghost with a proton pack? Now you can. Similarly, Tiger Woods 2010 for Wii. The new Wii Motion Plus mimics a golf swing – it’s like playing actual golf. And the game has Bethpage Black – the course of this weekend’s US Open, so you can try your skills alongside the real Tiger. I promise I am not a paid employee of Nintendo – but the Wii is pretty great.
SKINS Season 1 & 2 on DVD. No shirts required.
Next to Normal is the most honest, beautiful musical to hit Broadway in a very long time. If you have a chance to see Alice Ripley in it, you MUST.
TRUE BLOOD!!!!! Seriously, best show on this summer by far
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/06/17/the-cw-sets-premiere-dates-for-their-shows/
Host Cat Deeley on “So You Think You Can Dance?” The ultimate ffwd-stopper, she’s a delight to watch and makes Ryan Seacrest look SO terrible by comparison.
Friday Night Lights Season 3. Because I can’t wait until January 2010 for more Riggins
True Blood season 1 on DVD…for those of us who can’t afford HBO
1. Everwood Season 2 on DVD. Erv’s voiceovers are spiritual experiences.
2. True Blood is completely out of control in that wonderful way that makes you so thankful that it’s not your life but so thrilled they made a TV show about it.
3. Air Conditioning. I live in Texas. It’s over 100 degrees every day already and it’s only June. I want to die.
Eric Northman on True Blood
Zach Galifiankis (sp?) in The Hangover
The Pluto Files by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Merlin! What could easily have been a total mess is a fun, clever, and well-acted reimagining of the Arthurian legend. Merlin and Arthur are young (early twenties?) and still finding their feet and their power – Arthur, for example is still a prince. Oh, and did I mention that Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy) plays a fantastically ruthless King Uther? That alone is enough to recommend the show. I won’t lie – they take massive liberties with the legend. But, it’s so fun, you don’t actually care!
I’m loving the webseries Dorm Life. (www.dorm-life.com) It’s a brilliant mockumentary. (Think: The Office in college.) The season is wrapping up in a couple of weeks, but there are enough bonus videos to last until season three.
1.Friday Night Lights!
2.Smallville
3 Supernatural
Can’t wait for these shows to be back on this fall!
True Blood and the surprising return of Nelsan Ellis’s Lafayette. Did not see that coming!
http://true-blood.net
the killers new music video- A Dustland Fairytale
1. must follow @mishacollins on twitter. insane funny.
2. must watch True Blood.
3. must read Jim Beaver’s “Life’s That Way”
Being a True Blood fanatic, I have to say that my Must thing of the week was finding out that Lafayette is alive and well, is being held captive by Eric’s crew…and that both the actors playing these parts on the show have said in interviews that their chemistry in coming eps is “electrifying”. OH. EM. GEE!
Amanda Leigh by Mandy Moore. I gave a friend a “blind” copy to listen to and give me his thoughts. People pre-judge her because she’s so cute and perky. Too bad, because her recent music is quite original and substantive. By the way, my friend loved the CD, and was SHOCKED that it was Mandy Moore. See? Put away your preconceived notions and give this CD a try!
1. must follow @mishacollins on Twitter. insane funny.
2. must watch True Blood on HBO
3. must read Jim Beaver’s “Life’s That Way.”
Sims 3: the obsession begins now. Summer months + work doesn’t start for a couple of weeks = I can play God at all hours of the day!
“When You Are Engulfed In Flames” by: David Sedaris, now all his hilarity can be brought to you in a cheaper paperback cover.
Greek ended! A doozy of a cliffhanger…why can’t Cappie and Casey make it work? Those crazy kids!
1. MLB Network: True nirvana for seamheads, with live look-ins, extended highlights and more.
2. Little Steven’s Underground Garage on Sirius/XM: Simly the greatest rock and roll radion station in the universe.
3. Andy Richter Controls the Universe on DVD: A criminally short-lived slice of brilliant TV.
Well since you stole mine with the release of “Rhett Miller”, I’ll go with the London concert recording of “Chess” on DVD/CD.
My new obsession (And since EW is so gamer-friendly now-a-days):
Ghostbusters: The Video Game- the TRUE Ghostbusters 3 movie, just in playable form. Tons of fun and it’s great to have the entire cast back for one more grand mission.
– Ryan Kwanten on “True Blood” – Baby faced Jason Stackhouse’s involvement with the Fellowship of the Sun is turning out to be one of the new season’s most delicious story arcs.
– “Shutter Island” trailer – Leonardo DiCaprio. Ben Kingsley. Jackie Earle Haley. Michelle Williams. All directed by Martin Scorsese? Can’t. Wait.
– “Up” soundtrack by Michael Giacchino – The beautiful music that accompanies the new Pixar film is generating serious Oscar buzz, which could mean the second nomination for the red-hot Giacchino (after his last venture with Pixar, “Ratatouille”). The four minute “Married Life” montage at the beginning of the movie moved me to tears.
So, You Think You Can Dance is the best summertime treat. If you want a reality talent show with half the drama, tune in and be wowed. Cat Deeley is the most genuine host out there.
Sake bombs at family gatherings!
Bill Nye, Science Guy, talking about new clouds on the “Rachel Maddow Show”.
My medically-necessary eye lift.
Bill Nye, Science Guy, on “Rachel Maddow”.
Sake bombs at family gatherings! Make ‘em mandantory!
My medically necessary eye lift.