Ear on TV: Week of September 22 - Yo Gabba Grabba

If it weren't for having a 3-year old, I might have never have known the glory that is Yo Gabba Gabba. Part Pee-wee's Playhouse, part The Banana Splits, the toddler series counts as many parents as fans as kids, thanks to performances from the likes of The Shins, and regular slots from rapper Biz Markie and Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh. This week, the Emmy winning Nick Jr. series is back for a second season, and it's upped the ante on the guest front. This week alone features music from The Ting Tings, Mates of State, Hot Hot Heat and Jimmy Eat World, along with Dancey Dance lessons from Melora Hardin (Jan from The Office) and NBA star Amare Stoudamire.

For the premiere on September 22, my son's current fave band The Ting Tings cover the 1980's hit "Happy Birthday" (Altered Images,) in celebration of Brobee's special day, but since it's my birthday this week as well, I've already convinced my son that they're performing it for me. Beyond this week, we can also look forward to music performances from The Roots, Ladytron, MGMT and Datarock, along with guest appearances from Jack Black, Amy Sedaris, Rachel Dratch and Jack McBrayer (Kenneth on 30 Rock).

If that weren't enough this week, TV on the Radio return to Letterman on Monday, in support of their fantastic new release, Dear Science, coming out tomorrow. In short work, it's already my album of the year -- just like every TVOTR release. They melted Paul Shaffer's face the last time they took the stage at Ed Sullivan Theater, but this time they're going to get funky, playing the Prince-meets-classic-Jacko single "Golden Age."

In a normal week, I'd also be saying more about My Morning Jacket (Monday on Leno and Foals (Wednesday on Kimmel Live), but it's my birthday week (turning 40!) the Music on TV gods have made this week thick with aural goodness. As Yo Gabba Gabba's intrepid host DJ Lance Rock likes to say, "Listening and dancing to music is AWESOME!!!"

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, September 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Nelly
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: TV On The Radio
NBC: The Today Show: Tony Bennett
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: My Morning Jacket
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Little Feat
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Hot Chip
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: The Ting Tings
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Natasha Bedingfield
Tuesday, September 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Atmosphere
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Kings of Leon
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Glen Campbell
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bo Burnham
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Mates of State
Wednesday, September 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Foals
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Jamie Lidell, Garbage
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Hot Hot Heat
Thursday, September 25
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Morningwood
FUEL: The Daily Habit: One Block Radius
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Hives
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Jakob Dylan
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Jimmy Eat World
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Panic at the Disco, David Gray, Suzanne Vega
Friday, September 26
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Pop Levi
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Placebo (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Amos Lee
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Seether
Saturday, September 27
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: The Feeling (REPEAT)
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Duffy
PBS: Austin City Limits: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival featuring Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Bela Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris