Ear on TV: Week of 06.22.09 - The BPA with Iggy Pop

It's an embarrassment of riches this week as far as musical guests on the talkies, with Sonic Youth, Phoenix, Dinosaur Jr., Grizzly Bear, Wilco, Regina Spektor, St. Vincent and Brighton Port Authority & Iggy Pop appearing -- just to name a few.

The B.P.A., which is Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) working with musicians like David Byrne and Dizee Rascal, is making a big push this week, hitting both Letterman (Monday) and Fallon (Tuesday) to perform the song "He's Frank" with Iggy Pop. It's a cover song (of The Monochrome Set) that some may remembered first premiered in a Heroes episode back in November of 2007, and later appeared on the Heroes Original Soundtrack.

Nineties slacker sludge purveyors Dinosaur Jr. remain together, three years now since the original lineup of J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph gave us alt-warm fuzzies with their reunion. When they play Fallon on Thursday night, they'll be promoting the newly released Farm, which marks the second great album in a row since their reunion, proving the reunion isn't a fluke. Where's your Pixies now?

Meanwhile, Wilco has their seventh proper full length (self-titled - Wilco) coming out next week, but have a bigger challeng in trying to tame the new Tonight Show stage with their sound problems. Conan is still enjoying a honeymoon period, but rest assured, if the sound isn't fixed, don't be surprised if bands start to hit Letterman and Fallon instead first to guarantee a certain quality of sound.

And finally, The Roots may be the house band for Fallon, but don't be confused by their inclusion in the calendar here on Thursday night, as they're scheduled to be the musical guest as well. They have a new album, How I Got Over, and are responsible for booking the musical guests, so why wouldn't they book themselves?

More: I've recently profiled Sonic Youth (Monday on Fallon,) Phoenix (Friday on Kimmel) and Grizzly Bear (Friday on Fallon) but we also need to give some love to the doe-eyed indie queens St. Vincent and Regina Spektor, who appear on Letterman Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Just about any other week, I'd have them in the lede (just to get them purty eyes in the photo).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, June 22
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Iggy Pop & The Brighton Port Authority
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Juan Maclean
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Pete Yorn
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sonic Youth, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Kids (REPEAT)
Tuesday, June 23
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: MSTRKRFT w/ John Legend
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Presets
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Elvis Costello
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Iggy Pop & The Brighton Port Authority, The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Crocodiles
Wednesday, June 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: St. Vincent
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bettye LaVette
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Duane Peters Gunfight
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Wilco
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ida Maria
Thursday, June 25
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Dinosaur Jr., The Roots
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bat for Lashes
Friday, June 26
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Phoenix
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Regina Spektor
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Chairlift
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Adele
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Grizzly Bear, The Roots
SUNDANCE: The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico (2005): Kris Kristofferson, Levon Helm, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Hawkins
Saturday, June 27
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Kings of Leon (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Crowded House (REPEAT)