Ear on TV: Week of 07.19.10: Crowded House

In this day of nostalgia and sponsored tours, reunions are a common commodity, but the reforming of Australia's Crowded House is anything but common. Led by songwriter and New Zealand legend Neil Finn, the band's reformation was originally spurred through the suicide of drummer and co-founder Paul Hester in 2005, and the resulting album (2007's Time on Earth) had to serve two masters: remembering a friend and reacquainting the world with the act. It worked beautifully for the former but less so for the latter.

Flash forward three years and this version of Crowded House, with ex-Beck drummer Matt Sherrod on board, is more of a group now than a Neil Finn backing band, and their latest release, Intriguer, feels like a fresh new start for the Australian institution. A perfect example of the new direction that band is heading is lead single and opening track "Saturday Son", whose uncharacteristic loud drums and slide guitar should have The Roots nodding heads in the background Wednesday night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon*. As is the case with reunions on Fallon, expect a web exclusive track from their past (like "Don't Dream It's Over," or, better yet, "Sister Madly").

*It's worth noting that Crowded House has a strong history with talk shows, having used the circuit to circumvent their North American label's lack of interest with their self-titled debut. Their stripped down performances and witty repartee created a buzz that eventually drove the release to be their biggest seller to date.

Elsewhere, KISS make an unexpected return to the talk show circuit, thanks in part to the recent sad news of the death of Bill Aucoin, the band's first manager and person credited with discovering the act. They play The Tonight Show and likely sit down for a brief interview to deliver some stories about the famed manager. Meanwhile, the similarly party-minded Andrew W.K. drops by Dinner With the Band to share songs and food, both featuring "Party Hard" (the song and a the Party Hard Brisket on the menu). Below is a bonus performance that didn't make the airing:


Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, July 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: N.E.R.D.
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Robyn
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Heavy
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: KISS
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Widespread Panic
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Janelle Monae (REPEAT)
VH1: Behind the Music: Usher
Tuesday, July 20
ABC: The View: La Roux
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Runner Runner
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sheryl Crow
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Heavy
IFC: Dinner With the Band: Andrew WK
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Black Eyed Peas
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Crowded House
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Arctic Monkeys (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 21
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Raheem DeVaughn
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Alejandro Escovedo
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Metric
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Halestorm
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Weezer (REPEAT)
PBS: Tavis Smiley: The Temptations
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: One eskimO (REPEAT)
Thursday, July 22
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Keane
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Steve Winwood
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: 3OH!3
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Sheryl Crow
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lisa Hannigan (REPEAT)
PBS: Tavis Smiley: Tom Petty
Friday, July 23
ABC: Good Morning America: Sheryl Crow
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Paul McCartney (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: MGMT
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Rick Ross
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: The Killers, Florence & the Machine (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Lady Gaga (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 24
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Michael Buble (REPEAT)