TUBE TUNES vol. 1, no. 7
Mailed Feb. 1, 2001
OK, take a breathe deeply and repeat after me: There is TV beyond “Jazz.” The winter’s biggest music on TV project has come to a close, but plenty of options for tunes on the tube remain.
This e-mail list and the accompanying web site, http://www.oocities.org/tubetune, will continue to provide you with plenty of choices.
TAKE ONE
In lieu of another review of “Jazz” or a padded news section, I thought I’d share some thoughts that came to mind after I covered an audition for MTV’s “The Real World” in my day job at the local paper. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. No skin or anything, so get your mind out of the gutter. I was simply amazed at how many kids wanted to live their lives in front of a national audience.
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It will take a long time to give everyone who wants it their 15 minutes of fame if the line of kids waiting in line to try out for MTV's ``The Real World'' this week was any indication.
Most people seem content to let their lives serve as all the reality they need, but growing numbers want to live those lives in front of a television camera.
I always assumed reality shows were like daytime talk shows ... they drew their casts from a small strata of people with low self-esteem, blinding ambition or a serious need of cash.
But how then to explain the throngs of people waiting in bitter cold for their chance to convince casting scouts that they should be
one of the seven people selected to appear on the 11th season of MTV's ``The Real World''?
More than 1,000 kids flooded a downtown bar for the chance to fill out an application and be gang interviewed. Many did it for a lark, I
would guess, knowing they didn't have a chance beyond this first of eight steps before the cast is selected.
But many others earnestly put their hearts into it, wanting to make the cut, though few could articulate just why.
These kids came from all walks of life, from spots all over the Midwest, and, given that they were mainly college students, are at least familiar with the pursuit of learning in lieu of being stupid.
So what drew them to the audition? Well, this is only a guess, but I'd say it's because reality TV has become so pervasive that they
assume that's just another way to live. Being on MTV is no different than living with your buds in a dorm room.
And when they make it so easy to get on TV ... how many reality shows are on the air these days? ... why do something like learn to play guitar or act when all you need do is be?
Pity the poor garage band practicing every night after the members are done with their menial jobs, hoping they're good enough for a shot at the big time. What a waste. While they're learning chords and song structure, some chump willing to survive/cheat/live/etc. is getting a leg up in the world of fame.
PROGRAMS OF NOTE
(all times CST; days begin and end at 5 a.m.)
Tonight
Beck on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. NBC, 110:35 p.m. The funky fresh one has no new product to promote, so this must be to promote his best album Grammy nod.
Friday, Feb. 2
Beth Orton on Later with Jools Holland. BBCAmerica, 6 p.m. This is at least the second time this has been on since this list started, but it’s always worth seeing and hearing Orton, so cue it up once again.
Saturday, Feb. 3
Various artists on Sesame Street Music A to Z. VH1, Noon. This show compiles clips of appearances by musicians on Sesame Street, arranged alphabetically, of course. Included are the Goo Goo Dolls, R.E.M. (doing “Shiny Happy Monsters”) and Paul Simon. Fun for the whole family.
Sunday, Feb. 4
Coldplay on MTV2 Concerts. MTV2, 9 p.m. Catch this hot Brit band in concert and see if they can pull off their atmospheric sub-Travis musings outside the studio.
Monday, Feb. 5
They Might Be Giants on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. NBC, 10:35 p.m. A band that seemed headed for a super-geek edition “Where Are They Now?” episode has a new lease on life thanks to that ultra-annoying theme song from “Malcolm in the Middle.” Remember when these two were clever?
Tuesday, Feb. 6
R.E.M. on Saturday Night Live. Comedy Central, 5 p.m. Sure, you could watch “The Making of the Superbowl Halftime Special” on MTV, but why spoil the magic? Check out this performance from 1994.
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Herbie Hancock on Bravo Profiles. Bravo, 9 p.m. For many, Hancock is “that guy who wrote ‘Rock-it.’” But to any certified jazzbo, Hancock is a towering figure in jazz, from his early Blue Note dates (“Maiden Voyage” for instance) to his work with the second great Miles Davis quintet to his time with Weather Report. That sounds like a jam packed hour of TV.
Thursday, Feb. 8
Fugazi in “Instrument.” Sundance Channel, 6 p.m. This uncompromising DC punk band is as well-known for its politics as for its searing music. This unconventional documentary by Jem Cohen takes a behind-the-scenes look at the band.
Friday, Feb. 9
Elastica, Gomez on Later with Jools Holland. BBCAmerica, 6 p.m. Few of these seem to have been made, so they pop up throughout my recommendations. But each is worth seeing, if you haven’t had a chance to see this one yet, find a comfy spot on the couch and settle in for some good music.
Saturday, Feb. 10
“100 Greatest Rock & Roll Moments on TV.” VH1, 9 p.m. The list is a good one, and it’s always great to see vintage footage of things like the Who on the Smothers Brothers show or James Brown quelling a riot after MLK was shot. Too bad they try to cram it all into an hour.
Sunday, Feb. 11
Radiohead in “Meeting People is Easy.” Sundance Channel, 1 p.m. Another atypical documentary from Sundance. Here, a filmmaker follows Radiohead on part of the band’s “OK Computer” tour, capturing the boredom behind the music.
Monday, Feb. 12
“Birth of the Beatles.” EncoreTrue, 3:30 p.m. With the new wave of nostalgia for the Beatles comes an old wave of TV movies dedicated to the Fabs. This film from 1979 looks at the band’s Liverpool roots.
Tuesday, Feb. 13
Leadbelly on “History’s Lost and Found.” The History Channel, 6 p.m. On one segment of this documentary show, researchers look for a recording made of Leadbelly by Alan Lomax in Angola Prison.
Wednesday, Feb. 14
What are you doing watching TV? Take your significant other out to dinner. If you don’t have a significant other, why not do some laundry?
[JK]
posted by John Kenyon at 8:31 PM
