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

Top 10 Favorite Monty Python Sketches

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Monty Python's Flying Circus and IFC's 6-part documentary (airing part one on Sunday,) here's a silly list of favorite sketches from the series' time on the air.

10. Upper Class Twit of the Year
Episode 12 - first aired January 4, 1970
The troupe having a go at upper class British society, featuring a obstacle course like race involving hilarious events tasks like kicking a beggar, waking the neighbor, humiliating a waiter and the ultimate ending. Monty Python's Flying Circus was cancelled in Finland in 1970s after this sketch appeared. It's rumored that the sketch was offending people who had cerebral palsy. If it offends, that's why it's here.


09. Vocational Guidance Counsellor
Episode 10 - December 21, 1969
"It's a bit of jump, don't you think? Chartered Accountancy to Lion Taming in one go." Enough of this gay banter, let's watch the clip.


08. Nudge Nudge Wink Wink (aka Candid Photography)
Episode 3 - first aired October 19, 1969
Eric Idle often wrote his sketches alone, and had a hard time selling this one on paper. It's all in the delivery (say no more, say no more).


07. The Fish Slapping Dance
Episode 28 - first aired October 26, 1972
Probably not technically a sketch, but more an interlude between sketches, its silliness still deserves is place in the upper ends of the Python echelon.


06. The Argument Skit
Episode 29 - First aired November, 1972
It's obvious why this sketch made the list. "No it isn't." "Yes it is." "No it isn't." Yes. It. Is.


05. Spam
Episode 25 - First aired December 15, 1970
We've got this sketch to thank for the term we use to describe all the email we'd rather not receive. The perfect demonstration of why Terry Jones was the best Python in a dress.


04. The Spanish Inquisition
Episode 15 - First aired September 22, 1970
A wondrous parody of the phrase "I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition," involving some of the silliest forms of torture one could imagine. "Fetch... the comfy chair!"


03. The Lumberjack Song
Episode 9 - First aired December 14, 1969
One of Monty Python's more lasting songs, some deem it a bit homophobic, but like all Python classic sketches, it has aged pretty well.


02. Ministry of Silly Walks
Episode 14 - First aired September 15, 1970
John Cleese was a master of physical comedy and it's on full display in this often mimicked silly sketch. Those looking for this as a satire for government are looking too hard.


01. Dead Parrot
Episode 8 - First aired December 7, 1969
The most popular Python sketch as far as the world is concerned, it was actually a recycled version of a sketch that John Cleese and Michael Palin did originally for How to Irritate People. Even Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher used it to describe the Social and Liberal Democratic Party merger.


Don't forget to watch the 6-part documentary on IFC, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut), beginning Sunday Night.

Comedy Chaos: Monty Python takes Late Night hostage

Last night, 80% of Monty Python (Michael Palin was still in transit) took Late Night with Jimmy Fallon hostage, turning it upside down. Chairs were tossed, water thrown and just a general turn towards chaos, in the name of comedy. John Cleese, in particular, seemed hell bent on making sure it wasn't going to be a civilized affair.

Full episode below:


Or, if you want to just skip to the music, here's Eric Idle backed by The Roots singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," from their film The Life of Brian:


Previously: Ear on TV profile of Monty Python for this week's schedule

Ear on TV: Week of 10.12.09: Monty Python

And now for something completely different.
It was 40 years ago today that phrase was first uttered over the air, via Monty Python's Flying Circus (second episode, "Sex and Violence"). And while it was used to introduce a man with three buttocks, the phrase really took on greater meaning to the British sketch comedy. It really was something different -- something that would ultimately change comedy, much the same way the Beatles did to pop music just a few years prior.

And there was much rejoicing... yaaay.
And now, 40 years later, the five living members (John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam) reunite on Late Night, sitting down to chat with host Jimmy Fallon for the majority of the Wednesday episode. Yarns will be spun, knees will be slapped and perhaps Fallon can talk Cleese into a silly walk demonstration.

The appearance is in advance of their appearance at Ziegfeld Theater in New York on Thursday, October 15, where they'll screen a new documentary about the group’s history titled Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut) which pieces together old and new interviews (including one with Jimmy Fallon). The film is an edited down version of a six-hour long documentary series to be shown over six nights on IFC beginning on Sunday night (with the segment "The Not-So-Exciting Beginnings"), headlining their "Monty Python Week" promotion. After each segment, IFC will air a Monty Python film and then an episode from the zany series. And for those wondering why we're talking about Monty Python in a column about music, here's but one reminder:



Speaking of zany, if there's one band that exhibits the spirit of Monty Python's craft, it might just be The Flaming Lips, who's latest release (Embryonic) drops this week. After a few unfocused, confetti-filled years, the band is back with one of their most ambitious albums to date. On Tuesday, Wayne Coyne and co. take their paranoia-laden psychedelic "Convinced Of The Hex" to the The Tonight Show, a place where acoustics wreak havoc on many an artist's sound. (It's not paranoia if it's really out to get you, right?)

Meanwhile, Sonic Youth will appear on tonight's episode of Gossip Girl, performing an acoustic version of the alt-rock classic "Star Power." I thought the band had gotten it out of their system with their appearance in Gilmore Girls a couple years back, but apparently the power of double 'G' is strong. And don't underestimate the power of a teenage daughter - in this case Coco, the 15-year old daughter of Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon, is apparently a big fan of the series.

Whew... even after all that, there's still a few items here that would get the lede in a slower week, so we're not through quite yet. For instance, veteran indie rock guitar gods Built to Spill are on Letterman Thursday; the excellent documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad gets its television debut on Sundance Friday (check my review); and all this week Yo Gabba Gabba is airing their final batch of new episodes from season two, featuring original songs from The Roots, MGMT, Little Ones and The Lady Tigra. My DVR is already sweating!

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, October 12
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Kid Cudi (REPEAT)
THE CW: Gossip Girl: Sonic Youth
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Amazing Baby (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Grizzly Bear
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: The Roots
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
Tuesday, October 13
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Cobra Starship
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Aziz Ansari, Dead by Sunrise
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Flaming Lips
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Brazilian Girls
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: MGMT
Wednesday, October 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mika
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: The RZA
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Busta Rhymes (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Monty Python
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Reeve Oliver
Thursday, October 15
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Built to Spill
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Hockey
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: The Lady Tigra
Friday, October 16
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Hold Steady (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Roger Daltrey
NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Little Ones
SUNDANCE: Heavy Metal in Baghdad: Acrassicauda
Saturday, October 17
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Shakira
Sunday, October 18
IFC: Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut): Monty Python
IFC: Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl: Monty Python