Ear on TV: Week of July 16

After 40 years in the music business, singer-songwriter Nick Lowe knows how act his age, and his latest album (At My Age - his first in six years,) plays to the strengths of his 58-year old voice. In his younger days, Lowe was known as "The Basher," but when he plays Conan tonight, you'll surely note it's less bash and more sashay, with his turn toward a more casual croon. It's a career move not unlike the great Charlie Rich before him, mixing pop with country and jazz, all with his trademark lyrical bite. Lowe knows that he'd be fooling himself to try an appeal to a younger market, and unlike another aging left-handed bass player I could name, Lowe could care less if his fans adored him or not. And that somehow makes him even more endearing.

Elsewhere, you don't want to miss Teddy Thompson on Letterman Wednesday, as the son of famed folk legends Richard and Linda Thompson has set his sights in the sorry state of country music. Says Thompson: "It's literally the same song that could be produced for a bad pop record, except that it has Carrie Underwood on it and a pedal steel guitar. It's appalling." Tomorrow Thompson releases his album (Upfront & Down Low) of classic country covers, and the album features arrangements by Robert Kirby, who's most famous for his work with folk legend Nick Drake. While Kirby likely won't be there, I'm sure Paul Schaffer has jotted down a few notes.

Picks for the week
Monday, July 16
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Minnie Driver
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Nick Lowe
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Justin Timberlake (REPEAT)
Tuesday, July 17
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bright Eyes
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Ryan Adams
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Cribs
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Beyoncé (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 18
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Teddy Thompson
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Deerhoof
Thursday, July 19
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Fountains of Wayne
Friday, July 20
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show:
Shane MacGowan
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Mims
Saturday, July 21
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Justin Timberlake
PBS: Austin City Limits: Franz Ferdinand, What Made Milwaukee Famous

tags: music, television, soundtrack, talk shows, nick lowe, teddy thompson, country, rhapsody