Wednesday Morning Music: Special Commercial Interruption

I'm fairly certain this is the greatest commercial of all time, and I don't even understand what it's for. Good for you, Kevin Bacon!

In Praise of...Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien's final show aired last night, thus ending an era of supreme weirdness in the world of late night television.  I've been a huge Conan fan since high school, though after graduating from college we lost track of one another.  I fall asleep too early now, but that's something I'll have to answer for some dark day.

To pay tribute to the future host of the Tonight Show, I've included what Conan picked last night as his favorite moment during his Late Night career, a bit he wants shown at his funeral.  I, for one, feel it sums up why America loves Conan O'Brien so much. Enjoy!

In Praise of...

At the risk of sounding like a woman in her mid to late thirties, I love TLC. It's got all the human drama of a Lifetime Movie Network, but none of the lame; all the hilarity of a Comedy Central, but I know I won't be stuck watching a horrible stand-up special one afternoon if I stop by to check out what's on; and all the reality goodness of a Vh1 without all the washed up, D-level celebs and half-dressed skanks. It's almost a perfect network. During my college years I watched a lot of A Baby Story, usually in marathon form, but as I got older, grew bitter, and learned the world was a harsh, unforgiving shithole, I lost sight of the simple pleasures TLC offered. It was a dark time full of Starting Over and Jerry Springer--I don't really want to talk about it.

I see now that life doesn't have to be dismal--it can be joyful, bright, and full of dwarves, toddlers, and Paige Davis. Thank you TLC!


Little People, Big World: DUI trials, young love, little people conferences, major surgery, countless vacations--the Roloffs have been through it all. And I've watched them every step of the way. Right now they're smack-dab in the middle of pumpkin season (oh, golly gee!) and everything seems to be going wrong. I've learned not to worry though--Matt Roloff will save the day. TLC calls him "the father of the year" in ads, and I couldn't agree more. Don't tell my father, but sometimes, I wish...I mean, have you seen that farm? It makes the swing set my dad put up in the backyard for me and my sister look like a joke. LP, BW is one of only three shows I still watch live, one of the others being...



Jon and Kate Plus 8: Sunday nights the church youth group I was a member of always got together and did something fun. They hit golf balls at the driving range, grabbed some food at Applebees, or participated in any other of a hundred teen-friendly actitivities. Though I was invited, I rarely tagged along. You see, Sunday night was Simpsons night, I couldn't miss it. I'm that way about only two shows now: LOST and Jon and Kate. You can't imagine the anticipation I feel as the next, new episode of Jon and Kate approaches. It is can't miss! Do not EVER call my house on Monday night between 9 and 10. DON'T!



Trading Spaces: Remember when you couldn't miss an episode? Remember how it changed when Paige left? Remember when you used to watch it with your pants around your ankles? I'm sorry--that was probably just me. Trading Spaces was a pretty neat show when it first appeared many years ago, and half the reason it was good was that Paige Davis kept it rolling along at a brisk pace. But then TLC sent her packing and I lost interest. Well, she's back and though I'm not nearly as loyal as I once was, the times I do watch, I've enjoyed it. It's a nice option when nothing else is on.




My First Home: Yesterday the wife and I treated ourselves to a lazy Sunday afternoon. I lounged on the couch reading H.P. Lovecraft and she fell asleep in front of a My First Home marathon. Intially I had no interest, especially after the episode where the hipster, roller derby girl made a poor home buying choice, but then a downtrodden family from Alaska walked onto my screen. Their story of heartbreak and woe, their dream of owning their own property someday, reminded me of how good it felt when we bought our home.


What Not to Wear: My new obsession is, as I like to call it, The Clinton Show. I do like Stacy, don't get me wrong, but it's always been my dream to dress well, and I think Clinton Kelly is about the snazziest dresser on TV, if not on the planet. "I wish I could dress like Clinton," I often sigh during an episode, my wife, without fail, asking, "You mean gay?" If looking classy means dressing gay, then gay me up. They never make-over dudes, but I want to nominate myself, just so I can buy a new, Clinton-esque wardrobe with the $5,000 they give you. Ah, to dream.

In Praise Of...

Not only has Saturday Night Live been consistently funny since the conclusion of the recent writers' strike, but the hosts have been some of my favorite people (Jonah Hill, Amy Adams, etc). Not only that, but the current cast is one of the best casts to ever grace the stage at 30 Rock. Here is just a taste of the current greatness:

And you can check out more at nbc.com, but you know that already.