Ear on TV: Week of 05.03.10: New Pornographers

One of the trials of fronting a supergroup is finding time on everyone's busy schedule, and it's no different for Carl Newman and his collective of Canadian stars, The New Pornographers. Between the time demand for Neko Case, Dan Bejar's Destroyer and Newman's own solo career as A.C. Newman, the New Pornographers have to do a lot of juggling in order to get everyone together for time in the studio and especially to tour. As if in response to this occasional struggle, their latest (and fifth) release is titled Together, a nice commentary on the band's once-every-two-to-three-years unity.

In keeping with the album's title, all eight members of the band will be 'together' for the tour, kicking off with a collective appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on cinco de Mayo (Wednesday). As if eight weren't enough for this supergroup, New Pornographers brought in a slew of guest stars, including Zach Condon (Beirut), Will Sheff (Okkervil River) and The Dap-Kings, to name a few. Speaking of all the guest stars, actor Adam Goldberg hosts an amusing (and chaotic) look behind the scenes video:


Elsewhere, The Devil Makes Three make their television debut on Dinner With the Band, selected by Chef Sam Mason, who also moonlights as a country music DJ. On the menu is roasted chicken, spiced carrots and pickled green beans, all of which sound like a great pairing to DM3's whiskey-soaked country sound. Another great pairing in the making is Jay-Z as musical guest to Betty White's hosting on this week's Saturday Night Live. There's been rumors of them working together on something for the episode, but why stop there? A full album of Betty White in the vein of The Black Album could even eclipse Danger Mouse's contrast mashup, The Grey Album. Hova + Betty = Gold.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, May 3
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Tokyo Police Club
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Godsmack
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Corinne Bailey Rae
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Metric (REPEAT)
Tuesday, May 4
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
FUSE: Madonna: Innocence Lost: Madonna
IFC: Dinner With the Band: The Devil Makes Three
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: OK Go
Wednesday, May 5
ABC: The View: Court Yard Hounds
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Godsmack
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Willie Nelson
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Foxy Shazam
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Roger Waters, The New Pornographers
Thursday, May 6
ABC: The View: Willie Nelson
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Angels & Airwaves
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Court Yard Hounds
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Local Natives
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Lenny Kravitz (REPEAT)
VH1: NWA: Dangerous Group: NWA, Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren
Friday, May 7
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wale
FUEL: The Daily Habit: High on Fire
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Common
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Bloc Party, La Roux
Saturday, May 8
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Jay-Z
PBS: Austin City Limits: Drive-By Truckers, Ryan Bingham (REPEAT)