Ear on TV: Week of 07.13.09: Macca Returns

When Sir Paul McCartney visits Letterman this Wednesday, it will be his first time back at Ed Sullivan Theater* since the Beatles' legendary appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was 45 years ago that the Fab Four was introduced to American audiences on that very stage (scroll down for video), and "the cute one" must have a few yarns to tell about that momentous occasion, so naturally he'll be sitting for an interview as well.

*The Beatles appeared nine times on the show over the years, but only set foot on stage at CBS-TV Studio 50 (as it was called at the time) just the one time, on February 9, 1964. The rest were either broadcast from another location or taped from the first appearance.

While in the chair, I'd be shocked if Letterman doesn't bring up the recent death of Michael Jackson, given their history, and hopefully Macca will tell some stories about their time together. Like the time Jackson outbid him for the publishing rights to The Beatles catalogue not long after Paul had told him how lucrative the publishing rights to songs could be. Ah, good times! Or the time that he got shaving cream on MJ's face (oh, wait, I guess that was just the video for "Say, Say, Say").

But Letterman isn't settling for just the Ed Sullivan Theater reunion this week, instead pulling a full-court press of musical guests. One night prior to Macca, for instance, is Wilco, who will be performing a duet of sorts, "You And I" from their latest album, Wilco (the Album), alongside Canadian singer/songwriter Feist. Then on Thursday, it's a makeup performance from Grizzly Bear, who were unceremoniously bumped when GM's Bob Lutz talked all the air out of Ed Sullivan Theater. Finally, on Friday, Canadian rockers Metric put an exclamation point on a tasty week for the Theater of Sullivan. Who needs The Beatles with acts like these?

Um ... we all do. Seriously, you can't top The Beatles. Their performance in 1964 was a monumental moment in rock history -- is it too soon to speculate on it being referenced in the upcoming third season of Mad Men? Here's the 'really big show'::


Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, July 13
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Kelly Clarkson
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kid Cudi (REPEAT)
Tuesday, July 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wilco w/ Feist
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Margo & the Nuclear So and So's (REPEAT)
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Metric
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Nico Vegas (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 15
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Paul McCartney
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Walkmen (REPEAT)
IFC: Festival Express: Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Buddy Guy
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Duke Spirit (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, James Taylor
Thursday, July 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Grizzly Bear
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Kid Cudi
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Chris Cornell (REPEAT)
Friday, July 17
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Metric
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Ray Lamontagne
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Dead Weather
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Chris Cornell (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 18
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Duffy (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Lucinda Williams, Old Crow Medicine Show (REPEAT)