Ear on TV: Week of 12.06.10

Crystal Castles on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Thursday

Toronto's electropop duo Crystal Castles will be making their network television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Thursday night. Their latest single, "Not in Love," was recently re-recorded with the legendary Robert Smith on vocals, so naturally there's some speculation as to whether the lead singer of The Cure might just make a surprise appearance. We have no proof that he will or won't, but if it gets you to tune in and see their performance let's say he might (it's possible, right?).

Elsewhere this week it's pretty much Beatles-themed. When Paul McCartney performs as the musical guest this week on Saturday Night Live, it will be the third time for the former Beatle. No word on whether he'll join in a sketch, like he famously did back in 1993 with the late Chris Farley.


While there is a recent deluxe reissue of Band on the Run to support, there's a bit more to the timing than the usual album promotion. Sure, The Beatles were finally added to iTunes a couple weeks back, but this past weekend, Sir Paul was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award at the annual Kennedy Center Honors gala*, alongside American greats that included Oprah and Merle Haggard.

*That event will be televised on CBS, December 28, so expect it to be revisited in this space in a few weeks.

Continuing the timing is everything theme, this Wednesday also marks the 30th anniversary of the death of John Lennon, and to remember that fateful day, BBC America is dedicating all their afternoon programming to both Lennon and the Beatles. They've lined up the documentaries Imagine: John Lennon, The Beatles: From Liverpool to San Francisco and the tabloid-like Beatles Biggest Secrets along with the feature film Backbeat, starring Stephen Dorff as "the Fifth Beatle," Stuart Sutcliffe. Some PBS stations are also rebroadcasting the documentary LENNONYC to mark the sad day as well.

Picks for the week
Monday, December 6
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Social Distortion
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: John Mellencamp
FOX: American Country Awards: Rascal Flatts, Uncle Kracker, Miranda Lambert
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Blessthefall
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Experience Hendrix Tour featuring Jonny Lang, Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughan), Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), Billy Cox (Band of Gypsys)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: R. Kelly
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fanfarlo (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Miranda Lambert
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Nicki Minaj
TBS: Conan: Lauren Pritchard
Tuesday, December 7
ABC: Good Morning America: Sting
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Brad
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ra Ra Riot
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Blessthefall
NBC: The Today Show: Natasha Bedingfield, Mary J. Blige
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Keith Urban
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: R. Kelly
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Matt & Kim
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Duffy
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Keri Hilson
Wednesday, December 8
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Little Big Town
BBC AMERICA: Imagine: John Lennon / Backbeat / The Beatles: From Liverpool to San Francisco / Beatles Biggest Secrets: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, The Beatles
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Middle Class Rut
NBC: The Today Show: Flo Rida
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Florence & the Machine
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Natasha Bedingfield
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Katy Perry
Thursday, December 9
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Crystal Castles
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Pete Yorn
NBC: The Today Show: Duffy
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Natasha Bedingfield
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Paul McCartney, Robert Plant
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Two Door Cinema Club
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Keith Urban
TBS: Lopez Tonight: The 88
TBS: Conan: She & Him
Friday, December 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Nicki Minaj (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Nellie McKay
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Pete Yorn
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Delta Spirit
VH1: Storytellers: T.I.
VH1: Behind the Music: T.I. (REPEAT)
Saturday, December 11
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Justin Bieber
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Paul McCartney
Sunday, December 12
OVATION: Young @ Heart: Young @ Heart Chorus