Ear on TV: Week of May 18: Grizzly Bear (loose in my neighborhood)

Fans of Stephen Colbert are well aware of his obsessive fear of grizzly bears*, so when it was made known that Letterman had booked both Colbert and the band Grizzly Bear on the same night (Wednesday,) there were more than a few knowing chuckles.

*Oddly enough, as I'm writing this, a very hungry bear (fresh from hibernation) is running loose in my neighborhood of Ballard in Seattle. The bear is a mere 10 blocks away, which is CRAZY -- racoons or possums, sure, but a BEAR? All of a sudden, Colbert's fear no longer seems as comical.

Grizzly Bear, for their part, is set to release one of the most critically anticipated albums of the year next week, with Veckatimest, which is a stunning collection of Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys harmonies paired with folk-based arrangements. The last time they appeared on Letterman, nearly a year ago (video) they debuted the song "Two Weeks," creating quite a stir in the blogosphere.

Ok, the bear hasn't been caught yet, but is now more 20 blocks away, so my threat level has moved from a "Colbert-Red" down to "Grizzly Adams-Gray." Also, he's apparently on the small side (but still HUNGRY).

Also making an appearance this week is Iron & Wine, hitting Fallon on Tuesday, in support of the b-side and rarities collection Around the Well. It's not often that artists will tour and make appearances in support of rarity collections, but the two-CD collection from singer/songwriter Sam Beam is rich with songs that would be treasured album cuts for most artists.

Bear is still on the loose, having a field day, no doubt, with it being garbage pick-up day in the morning here. While he's dodging tranq guns, it's past 2AM and I feel like I've been hit by one, so I'll sign off now and leave the bear to my dreams.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, May 18
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Franz Ferdinand (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: White Rabbits
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Method Man & Redman
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Crystal Antlers (REPEAT)
Tuesday, May 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Eminem
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Mims
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Iron & Wine
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Keane
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: No Doubt
Wednesday, May 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: No Doubt
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Grizzly Bear
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Airborne Toxic Event
Thursday, May 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Common, Busta Rhymes
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Presets
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Billy Boy on Poison
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Kills
Friday, May 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Eminem
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Green Day
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Decemberists
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Glasvegas
SUNDANCE: Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man: Leonard Cohen, U2, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton, Jarvis Cocker, Teddy Thompson
Saturday, May 23
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Lily Allen
PBS: Austin City Limits: Dixie Chicks (REPEAT)