Music on TV This Week: My Morning Jacket

MMJ animated on American Dad, Gossip Girl goes Gaga and Pearl Jam rocks Austin City Limits.
The band My Morning Jacket guest on an episode of the FOX animated series "American Dad"
The band My Morning Jacket guest on an episode of the FOX animated series "American Dad" - FOX
Drake Lelane

When My Morning Jacket played their legendary performance in the rain at Bonaroo last year, who knew that it would be the inspiration for an episode of American Dad? Specifically, the 8-minute long rendition of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home," featuring comedian Zach Galifianakis dressed as Little Orphan Annie. In the audience for the set was American Dad co-creator Mike Barker, and he's pulled not only My Morning Jacket in for the episode this Sunday (titled "My Morning Straightjacket"), but also Zach Galifanakis, who provides the voice of an MMJ superfan.

The plot has Stan becoming a roadie for MMJ, eventually devolving into an Almost Famous parody, which feels slightly off, in that we remember MMJ appearing in a different Cameron Crowe movie (Elizabethtown).Not only is MMJ getting the animated treatment for the episode, but six of their songs will also be featured, which has to be some kind of record for a half-hour series. To capitalize on the appearance -- in what appears to be a growing trend -- a special digital EP will be released, featuring the songs and several bits of dialogue. All we need now is an animated Zach Galifanakis in a Little Orphan Annie dress to really cap it off.


Meanwhile, the much ballyhooed Lady Gaga makes an appearance on Gossip Girl this week, and while some wonder which song she'll be singing (latest single "Bad Romance"), most of the anticipation lies in what she'll be wearing (performing in a 30-ft dress!). Lady Gaga serves as the musical backdrop to the messy emotional leftovers from last week's threesome. "Bad Romance," indeed.

Elsewhere, folks are still talking about the 18-song set that Pearl Jam performed at the taping for Austin City Limits, and this Saturday, PBS viewers will finally get a chance to see what folks were raving about. Hard to tell what of the two-hour set will make it into the edited hour, but some of the highlights include opening with a cover of Austin native Daniel Johnston ("Walking the Cow"), a cover of The Police song "Driven to Tears," and Ben Harper joining the band on slide guitar for "Red Mosquito." (Go behind the scenes with a piece done for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.)

Finally, Elvis Costello is making several appearances this week to promote the DVD release of the first season of his excellent talk show, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., out this week. That also reminds us that the Sundance series comes back for its second season in just a few short weeks, and with superstar guests like Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and U2 in the works, it looks to be an even better season than last year's revelation.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wyclef Jean with Cyndi Lauper
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: They Might Be Giants tell me they're slated, but sked says Ben Harper
THE CW: Gossip Girl: Lady Gaga
Tuesday, November 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: One Republic
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Bouncing Souls
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Neko Case, Cheech and Chong
Wednesday, November 18
CBS: The Early Show: Elvis Costello
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ray Davies
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Wale
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Thursday, November 19
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Elvis Costello
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Leighton Meester
Friday, November 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Death Cab For Cutie
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lyle Lovett
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: David Gray
FUEL: The Daily Habit: LMFAO
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Bon Jovi
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Elvis Costello
SUNDANCE: Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub: The Roots, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Moe
Saturday, November 21
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Rod Stewart
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Dave Matthews Band
PBS: Austin City Limits: Pearl Jam
Sunday, November 22
FOX: American Dad: My Morning Jacket

drake lelane
curator of the music/soundtrack blog thus spake drake


post a comment




Most Popular Stories
Popular Photo Galleries
FREE Movie of the Week
Alva Rogers and Cora Lee Day - "Daughters of the Dust" (1991)
Kino International

Daughters of the Dust

Film.com's FREE movie of the week is "Daughters of the Dust." A film that portrays the unique culture of the Gullah people by focusing on the extended Peazant family as its members struggle with the decision to leave their island and move north. On the eve of their departure, memories of their Gullah history and its African roots come rising to the surface. Winner of Cinematography at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival.