Ear on TV: Week of 04.13.09 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Last week's headliner, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, continue their network television attack with appearances on Letterman Tuesday and Fallon on Wednesday, as if taking direction from the title of their latest album, It's Blitz. And with the added exposure, lead singer Karen O seems poised to become this generation's Deborah Harry*.

*If I'm dating myself by referencing Blondie, than so be it.

Their appearance on SNL this weekend was even better than advertised (scroll down for video) with David Pajo (Slint) sitting in on keyboards and a surprise rendition of their 2003 hit "Maps" as their second song of the night. The song is still a hipster staple, while also garnering new fans through Rock Band 2, so perhaps it isn't such a surprising choice.

Meanwhile, Letterman is host to New Pornographers band mates A.C. Newman and Neko Case on different nights (Monday and Wednesday). Case appears in support of her hit album Middle Cyclone, while Newman is out in support of his second solo release, Get Guilty, and is bringing the great singer/songwriter Nicole Atkins along with him for the appearance. Is Nicole Newman's new Neko? I dunno, but it was fun to put all those Ns together in a sentence.

Other highlights of the week are on a channel I don't get, FUEL network, a place for extreme sport and music. Their The Daily Habit always seems to line up great acts week in and week out, and this is "New York Week," highlighted by a special The Hold Steady performance, which I hear was a very loud taping. Before that, though, FUEL airs a recent sold-out Eagles of Death Metal concert in Hollywood, for their Check 1, 2 series on Monday night. Perhaps it's time I call my provider again and ask why I can't get this channel.



Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, April 13
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: A.C. Newman and Nicole Atkins
FUEL: Check 1, 2: Eagles of Death Metal
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Amazing Baby
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Airborne Toxic Event
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sara Watkins and John Paul Jones
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Cold War Kids (REPEAT)
Tuesday, April 14
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Mims
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Brett Dennen
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Adele
Wednesday, April 15
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Neko Case
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Busta Rhymes
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Duke Spirit (REPEAT)
Thursday, April 16
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Pete Yorn
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Jonny Lang
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Elmo
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lykke Li (REPEAT)
Friday, April 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Franz Ferdinand
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Hold Steady
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ben Harper
SUNDANCE: Sigur Ros: Helma: Sigur Ros
Saturday, April 18
PBS: Austin City Limits: Van Morrison