Ear on TV: Week of October 20 - More Yo Gabba Gabba

After all the brouhaha surrounding the bailing and then recent appearance of John McCain, Letterman certainly deserves his break this week, joining the rest of the talkies, save Craig Ferguson, in taking some time off. In the face of reruns, it's time to turn to your toddler's favorite show for your live music needs. (Don't have a toddler? I can rent you one... cheap.)

This week the deliciously wacky Yo Gabba Gabba returns with new episodes, featuring several cool music performances. Monday has Muppet songwriter Paul Williams ("Rainbow Connection,") along with another Knock Knock Joke of the Day from 30 Rock pages Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) and Donnie (Paul Scheer). Tuesday features the Sweden's I'm From Barcelona, a band that can feature of up to 30 musicians backing singer/songwriter Emanuel Lundgren (pictured). On Wednesday, there's Money Mark and Flight of the Conchords' Rhys Darby; while Thursday brings Norway's always engaging Datarock, and, more importantly, AMY SEDARIS! It's enough to make me want to slip on some pull-ups and drink my morning joe out of a sippy cup (apologies to my co-workers this week).

Elsewhere, if you're lucky enough to get the channel (and I'm not,) Fuel's The Daily Habit has the wonderfully twisted Deerhoof stopping by to play "The Tears and Music of Love" and "Fresh Born," from their recent release Offend Maggie (also toddler approved -- well, mine anyway).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, October 20
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Civet
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Mates Of State (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Hot Chip
Tuesday, October 21
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Laura Marling
NBC: The Today Show: Randy Newman
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Atmosphere (REPEAT)
NICKJR: Yo Gabba Gabba: I'm From Barcelona
OVATION: Definitely Dusty: Dusty Springfield
Wednesday, October 22
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Pretenders (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: A Place to Bury Strangers
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Young Jeezy w/ Nas
NICKJR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Money Mark
Thursday, October 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Lady Gaga
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Pete Seeger (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Cold War Kids
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Glen Campbell (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Moby
NICKJR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Datarock
Friday, October 24
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Smashing Pumpkins
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Beck (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Lenka
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Deerhoof
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Al Green (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Ryan Bingham (REPEAT)
OVATION: Peter Gabriel Live - Growing Up: Peter Gabriel
Saturday, October 25
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Coldplay