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.
‘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.