Friday Tunes: Dinosaur Jr. "Over It"

Dinosaur Jr. was one of the more important bands of the 1990s, at least for me and anyone who liked what is now called post-punk. They were probably at their best when Lou Barlow was with the band, and for fans ... he's back. They've released a new album called "Farm" and here is the video for their first single, "Over It."



I'm not even sure this is my favorite song, but it's a good one and the entire album is excellent, wholly enjoyable and sure to be in heavy rotation for some time.

You Are The 26th Most Loathsome American.

This entire article is pretty damn spot on and funny, but this in particular stands out:

26. You

Charges: Based solely on Fox News and cartoon depictions of evil scientists, you think “Climategate” is a real controversy that somehow affects the truth of global warming. You think science is just another religion. You think Dan Brown writes nonfiction. You want the government to get its hands out of your Medicare. You think Dr. Oz can heal you with his palms. You believe in horoscopes. You bought a Snuggie. You’re suddenly outraged by government malfeasance because because a black guy got elected, or you refuse to be outraged by government malfeasance, because you don’t want to come across as racist. You think Avatar was either the worst or best film ever and you have film chops to describe why, yet you know fuck all about how the real world works, because you’re too busy satiating yourself with junk food, internet porn and “reality” HDTV to care. It took a fucking Underwear Bomber for you to learn about Yemen. You’re proud of your ignorance and proud of that too. In other words, you suck, you know it, and your every word is a sad and futile attempt to deny it.

Exhibit A: Glenn Beck.
Sentence: Glenn Beck.

Friday Tunes: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Enjoy. This one is from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, called "Home" and it should put you into a great mood for the holiday weekend.




Great lyrics, great song. Good stuff.

Jimmy Kimmel FTW!

My goodness, this was a poorly executed idea by the Jay Leno show. Watch Jimmy Kimmel eviscerate Leno on his own show. Good night.

Team Conan

I don't watch late night talk shows - too old, I suppose. But I've always liked Conan O'Brien and David Letterman, and always wondered who in their right mind actually found Jay Leno funny.

So all the drama going on with booting O'Brien for Leno is mostly lost on me. That being said, it's clear who is worth supporting here. First, a funny photo, then O'Brien's truly eloquent statement, with the last part bolded by me because it's just damn funny.



And his statement:

People of Earth:

In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.