Weekly Roundup: Veni Vidi Vici

I came, I saw... I got socked in the eye.

While the Dirty Sexy Money premiere didn't exactly make me rethink the inevitability of me giving up on watching it, the inclusion of The Black Lips' "Veni Vidi Vici" during the episode got my attention. Black Lips? More like black eyes, huh Jeremy? The manipulative Darlings are the draw, obviously, but watching Nick blacken Jeremy's eye was a perverse thrill. They're trying hard to make Jill look more sympathetic this season, but I'm still not buying why we should care that they stay together. Queen's "Under Pressure" (with David Bowie) also makes a welcome appearance.

Chuck - Episode 2.01 (Playlist)
The second season premiere brought the funny, making up for the sometimes tiring reintroduction of the series to new fans. Musically, humor took the form of Huey Lewis & the News songs ("Hip to be Square," "Power of Love,") giving us contrasting views of how the cheese of Huey Lewis can either lift spirits or annoy the hell out of you depending on your mood. Then Flight of the Conchord's french pop parody "Foux du Fafa" helped amusingly introduce Sarah's new cover at a yogurt shop (Weinerlicious will surely be missed).
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

Life - Episode 2.01 (Playlist)
Life, on the other hand, doesn't have as much humor to make up for all the reintroductions that it put us through, and thus is suffered as a result. I assume (hope) that the next episode (tonight) will work much better. Musically, there's at least still some of the same commitment to quality that later episodes showed last season, this time highlighted by The Heavy's "Colleen."
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

True Blood - Episode 1.04 (Playlist)
Most of the series music thus far has been from the roadhouse, so it's refreshing to hear what the Vamps are listening to (You want dark? How about "Demon" by Darkest Hour). Bill seems to be a world music guy, listening first to some Hawaiian (Kalani Kinimaka) and then some Khmer (Cambodian) pop from Dengue Fever, whose song title ("Escape from Dragon House") also doubles as the episode title. Anyone got a translation of the song readily available?
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

Skins - Episode 2.08 (Playlist)
This week's "Effy" episode might just be the best and worst example of the show. It was riveting and full of all the drama that Gossip Girl and all the other teen soaps could only dream of. Tony descends even further down the likable meter, but then Josh's twisted revenge shifts the scales a bit back in his favor. He really does love Effy, and perhaps this is his turning point. Meanwhile, once again, they've stripped every single song out from how it originally aired, and this time it's even more egregious in that there were three songs by the amazing Grizzly Bear left on the cutting room floor. Someone on their staff must have had Yellow House in heavy rotation.
[More thoughts and tracklisting]

My Name Is Earl - Episodes 4.03-4.04 (playlist)
Back-to-back episodes are highlighted by Joy's turn from Heart's "Barracuda" bitch on the loose (reclaim it from Palin, Joy!) to slightly broken "Just Like a Woman" from Bob Dylan ("but she breaks, just like a little girl.")

Gossip Girl - Episode 2.05 (Playlist)
Highlighted by a Conor Oberst ("NYC - Gone, Gone") beginning, and a mid-show Duke Spirit rocker.

90210 - Episode 1.05 (Playlist)
Found myself fast-forwarding a lot, until I heard CSS' "Let's Reggae All Night"

More: The Simpsons premiered with Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue," on the (usually) funny It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mac and Charlie create a hilarious slideshow in tribute to their own death, to Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." Complete with cowboy outfits and slick poses. Meanwhile, Mad Men gives tribute to Marilyn.