Ear on TV: Week of 10.19.09: Neil Patrick Harris vs Batman

Neil Patrick Harris' plan for world domination continues, this time as an animated villain in a special musical episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The Emmy host and star of How I Met Your Mother is the voice behind what could be Batman's most flamboyant villain, Music Meister (sorry Riddler).

Of course, NPH has already played a musical villain, having recently created a stir in the title role for Joss Whedon's Emmy award winning Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, so it's no surprise that he steals the episode, titled "Mayhem of the Music Meister" (premiering* on Friday, October 23, on Cartoon Network). The character is able to send his foes into song, including Aquaman, Green Arrow and the vocal power keg that is Black Canary (scroll down for video).

*The episode was previewed at this year's Comic Con to a standing ovation, and has aired already in the UK.

I've been wanting to plug the series since it debuted nearly a year ago, especially since Jellyfish's Andy Sturmer does the theme song, but now is as good a time as any. And the powers that be are striking while the irons are hot, releasing a soundtrack (Batman: The Brave and The Bold: Mayhem Of The Music Meister! Soundtrack) for the episode (via New Line Records) on October 24, the day after the episode airs.

Elsewhere, the talkies are on vacay, but Austin City Limits picks up the slack this week with the combo of super indie acts Andrew Bird and St. Vincent. Meanwhile, the excellent IFC documentary series on Monty Python continues all this week, and with the Python-a-thon, there's the added bonus of the (very musical) films The Holy Grail and The Life of Brian.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, October 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Used (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rosanne Cash (REPEAT)
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part II: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Monty Python
Tuesday, October 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Sounds
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part III: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python's Life of Brian: Monty Python
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Shakira
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Goons of Doom
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Ludacris
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Cobra Starship featuring Estelle (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Landon Pigg (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Amazing Baby (REPEAT)
Wednesday, October 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Dead By Sunrise
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part IV: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl: Monty Python
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Say Anything
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Phoenix (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: John Fogerty (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Paolo Nutini (REPEAT)
Thursday, October 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Temper Trap
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part V: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Monty Python
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Miranda Lambert (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ladyhawke (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Mika
Friday, October 23
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Echo & the Bunnymen
CARTOON NETWORK: Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Neil Patrick Harris
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Avett Brothers (REPEAT
FUEL: The Daily Habit: ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) Part VI: Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python's Life of Brian: Monty Python
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Christopher Cross with Michael McDonald & The Roots(REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell: Arthur Russell
Saturday, October 24
PBS: Austin City Limits: Andrew Bird, St. Vincent