Ear On TV: The Week of August 13

I may be back from vacation, but the majority of the talk shows are still in the Poconos it seems, leaving us to pick through the dregs of repeats. Luckily, The Henry Rollins Show is new on Friday, and his musical guest Manu Chao is an international superstar who's huge just about everywhere except in the U.S. (a crime that needs to be rectified.)

Chao sings his social commentary in French, Spanish, Arabic, Galician-Portuguese, Wolof and (yes) English, making him truly a world musician. More then that, though, he's godfather of Latino alternative music, thanks to his work with the band Mano Negra, in which Chao took inspiration from The Clash forming this band in the late 80's. His latest single, "Rainin In Paradize," sounds like a return to these Sandanista roots, as Chao begs the Massai of East Africa to "be sharp" and "be mellow," while filing weather reports for Zaire, the Congo, Monrovia, the Palestine and Baghdad (it's raining.) It's a stunning preview of the forthcoming La Radiolina, which will be his first studio release in six years.

Monday, August 13
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
Tuesday, August 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Smashing Pumpkins (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Keane (REPEAT)
Wednesday, August 15
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Nelly Furtado (REPEAT)
Thursday, August 16
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Common (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Teddy Thompson (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: The Kooks, Wynton Marsalis, Muse
Friday, August 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Editors (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Andrew Bird (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Augie March
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Manu Chao

tags: music, television, soundtrack, talk shows, manu chao, mano negra, henry rollins, world music, rhapsody