Ear on TV: Week of 11.16.09: My Morning Jacket

When My Morning Jacket played their legendary performance in the rain at Bonaroo last year, who knew that it would be the inspiration for an episode of American Dad? Specifically, the 8-minute long rendition of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home," featuring comedian Zach Galifianakis dressed as Little Orphan Annie. In the audience for the set was American Dad co-creator Mike Barker, and he's pulled not only My Morning Jacket in for the episode this Sunday (titled, "My Morning Straightjacket"), but also Zach Galifanakis, who provides the voice of an MMJ superfan.

The plot has Stan becoming a roadie for MMJ, eventually devolving into an Almost Famous parody, which feels slightly off, in that we remember MMJ appearing in a different Cameron Crowe movie (Elizabethtown).Not only is MMJ getting the animated treatment for the episode, but six of their songs will also be featured, which has to be some kind of record for a half-hour series. To capitalize on the appearance -- in what appears to be a growing trend -- a special digital EP will be released, featuring the songs and several bits of dialogue. All we need now is an animated Zach Galifanakis in a Little Orphan Annie dress to really cap it off.

Meanwhile, the much ballyhooed Lady Gaga makes an appearance on Gossip Girl this week, and while some wonder which song she'll be singing (latest single “Bad Romance”), most the anticipation lies in what she'll be wearing (performing in a 30 ft dress!). Lady Gaga serves as the musical backdrop to the messy emotional leftovers from last week's threesome. "Bad Romance" indeed.

Elsewhere, folks are still talking about the 18-song set that Pearl Jam performed at the taping for Austin City Limits, and this Saturday, PBS viewers will finally get a chance to see what folks were raving about. Hard to tell what of the two-hour set will make it into the edited hour, but some of the highlights include opening with a cover of Austin native Daniel Johnston ("Walking the Cow"), a cover of The Police song "Driven to Tears," and Ben Harper joining the band on slide guitar for "Red Mosquito." (Go behind the scenes with a piece done for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.)

Finally, Elvis Costello is making several appearances this week (The Colbert Report, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Early Show), to promote the DVD release of the first season of his excellent talk show, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., out this week. That also reminds us that the Sundance series comes back for its second season in just a few short weeks, and with superstar guests like Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and U2 in the works, it looks to be an even better season than last year's revelation.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wyclef Jean with Cyndi Lauper
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: They Might Be Giants tell me they're slated, but sked says Ben Harper
THE CW: Gossip Girl: Lady Gaga
Tuesday, November 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: OneRepublic
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Bouncing Souls
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Neko Case, Cheech and Chong
Wednesday, November 18
CBS: The Early Show: Elvis Costello
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ray Davies
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Wale
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Brian Setzer Orchestra
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Avett Brothers
Thursday, November 19
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Elvis Costello
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Leighton Meester
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Obits
Friday, November 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Death Cab For Cutie
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lyle Lovett
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: David Gray
FUEL: The Daily Habit: LMFAO
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Bon Jovi
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Elvis Costello
SUNDANCE: Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub: The Roots, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Moe
Saturday, November 21
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Rod Stewart
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Dave Matthews Band
PBS: Austin City Limits: Pearl Jam
Sunday, November 22
FOX: American Dad: My Morning Jacket