Music on TV - Week of 01.09.12: Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey (AKA, Elizabeth Grant) makes her network TV debut on Saturday Night Live.

I'm still not sure how I feel about "new sensation" Lana Del Rey. Posing as a self-made artist, the New York artist broke on the scene towards the end of 2011 with her David Lynchian YouTube video that appeared for the song "Video Games." Later, folks figured out she was formerly known as Elizabeth Grant, a run-of-the-mill pop singer with two failed albums.

Sure, there's something to be said for reinvening yourself, but the controversy around Rey is palpable, given she's got major label dollars behind her, and has already been signed to a modelling contract before her first LP (Born to Die) hits the shelves (January 27). Tipping the scales further is that her national television debut not only precedes her album release, but it's on Saturday Night Live, which has no historical precedent that I can think of. Needless to say, she'll be performing under quite a bit of scrutiny. Showing a lot of leg -- which so far appears to be her secret weapon -- will go a long way to placating some of that. (I'm just kidding.... or am I?)

Picks for the week
Monday, January 9
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Uh Huh Her
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Snow Patrol
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Augustana
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Surfer Blood
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Biffy Clyro (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Gavin DeGraw
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Gavin DeGraw
Tuesday, January 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Will Hoge
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Little Willies
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The War on Drugs
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Joy Formidable (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Doyle & Debbie
Wednesday, January 11
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Dolly Parton
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Robin Thicke
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Airborne Toxic Event (REPEAT)
Thursday, January 12
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Common
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Death Cab for Cutie (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Snow Patrol
Friday, January 13
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Tony Bennett
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Graffiti6
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Meshell Ndegeocello
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Atmosphere (REPEAT)
Saturday, January 14
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Madonna
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Lana Del Rey
PBS: Austin City Limits: Arcade Fire
Sunday, January 15
HDNET - HDNET Concert Series - Seal, George Michael