If it weren’t for having a 3-year-old, I might have never have known the glory that is Yo Gabba Gabba. Part Pee-wee’s Playhouse, part The Banana Splits, this toddler series counts as many parents as fans as kids, thanks to performances from the likes of The Shins, and regular slots from rapper Biz Markie and Devo‘s Mark Mothersbaugh. This week, the Emmy-winning Nick Jr. series is back for a second season, and it’s upped the ante on the guest front. This week alone features music from The Ting Tings, Mates of State, Hot Hot Heat and Jimmy Eat World, along with Dancey Dance lessons from Melora Hardin (Jan from The Office) and NBA star Amare Stoudamire.

For the premiere on September 22, my son’s current fave band The Ting Tings cover the 1980′s hit “Happy Birthday” (Altered Images) in celebration of Brobee’s special day, but since it’s my birthday this week as well, I’ve already convinced my son that they’re performing it for me. Beyond this week, we can also look forward to music performances from The Roots, Ladytron, MGMT and Datarock, along with guest appearances from Jack Black, Amy Sedaris, Rachel Dratch and Jack McBrayer (Kenneth on 30 Rock).

If that weren’t enough this week, TV on the Radio return to Letterman on Monday in support of their fantastic new release, Dear Science, coming out tomorrow. In short work, it’s already my album of the year — just like every TVOTR release. They melted Paul Shaffer’s face the last time they took the stage at Ed Sullivan Theater, but this time they’re going to get funky, playing the Prince-meets-classic-Jacko single “Golden Age.”

In a normal week, I’d also be saying more about My Morning Jacket (Monday on Leno) and Foals (Wednesday on Kimmel Live), but it’s my birthday week (turning 40!) so the Music on TV gods have made this week thick with aural goodness. As Yo Gabba Gabba‘s intrepid host DJ Lance Rock likes to say, “Listening and dancing to music is AWESOME!!!”

Playlist: Picks for the week

Monday, September 22

ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Nelly

CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: TV On The Radio

NBC: The Today Show: Tony Bennett

NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: My Morning Jacket

NBC: Late Night With Conan O’Brien: Little Feat

NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Hot Chip

NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: The Ting Tings

SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Natasha Bedingfield

Tuesday, September 23

ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Atmosphere

CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Kings of Leon

CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Michael Franti & Spearhead

NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Glen Campbell

NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bo Burnham

NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Mates of State

Wednesday, September 24

ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Foals

CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Jamie Lidell, Garbage

NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Hot Hot Heat

Thursday, September 25

CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Morningwood

FUEL: The Daily Habit: One Block Radius

NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Hives

NBC: Late Night With Conan O’Brien: Jakob Dylan

NICK JR: Yo Gabba Gabba: Jimmy Eat World

SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Panic at the Disco, David Gray, Suzanne Vega

Friday, September 26

FUEL: The Daily Habit: Pop Levi

IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Placebo (REPEAT)

NBC: Late Night With Conan O’Brien: Amos Lee

NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Seether

Saturday, September 27

BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: The Feeling (REPEAT)

NBC: Saturday Night Live: Duffy

PBS: Austin City Limits: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival featuring Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Bela Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris

drake lelane
celebrating getting old at the music/soundtrack blog thus spake drake