Tonight’s listings come with a big bummer: rapper Heavy D has passed away at the age of 44. Now that we’ve found out this terrible news, what are we gonna dooooo… with iiiiiiit?

Glee (Fox) — Kurt and Blaine have virgin gay sex with each other, and of course the Parents Television Council has its temple garments in a bunch over a TV show portraying something that happens.

Roll Tide/War Eagle (ESPN) — A new documentary about the rivalry between Alabama and Auburn, the last two NCAA football champions. It’s probably the only thing that makes the state of Alabama noteworthy on a national level.

90210 (CW) — Vinny Guadagnino from “Jersey Shore” guest stars in an episode where the kids go to Las Vegas. Because that’s what high school kids do: go someplace where a 21+ age limit is strictly enforced everywhere you go.

Frontline (PBS) — Meredith Blake goes inside the opposition movement in Syria. Darren Rovell wants to know why they aren’t leading with Kim Kardashian’s divorce.

Sons of Anarchy (FX) — There’s a lot of positive buzz about this week’s episode, as Clay scrambles to get renege on the hit he put out on Tara — except the cartel is all, “Sorry, no takebacks.”

No rock and roll star has ever looked less cool than Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, but Finn’s first solo album more than makes up for it: it’s called Clear Heart Full Eyes, a juxtaposed reference to the famous refrain of Coach Taylor in “Friday Night Lights.” Finn says that “FNL” was…

“… a TV show that excited and moved me and also happened in Texas. “Clear Heart” signifies honesty and transparency, and “Full Eyes” suggests experience. Thus, it’s about being optimistic and open without succumbing to the weariness or doubt that comes with age and experience. To me, that is what it’s all about.” [via]

Considering that half of Finn’s songs are about young people and Jesus, it makes sense that he’d dig a show about family and high school that takes place in Texas. “Friday Night Lights” set the bar pretty high for musical acts. I’m not sure if Finn can top Crucifictorious.

As all you alt-rap fans know, “Community’s” Donald Glover has a music career under the name of Childish Gambino. Following the success of Gambino’s EP, we now have a video for “Bonfire” (embedded below), the first release  from his full-length debut, Camp, which drops November 15th. (Did I say that right? “Drops”? I’m told that’s how the cool people talk about album release dates.) I’m not exactly a Childish Gambino expert, but I like the video for “Bonfire” better than his video for “Freaks and Geeks” but not as much as the fan-made “Community” version of “Freaks and Geeks.”

Anyhoo, I know this isn’t exactly the best fit under “TV news,” but this is the best I can do to avoid the news that Kim Kardashian’s divorce is designed to get better ratings for her show and make the Kardashian “brand” wealthier. Thanks, but I’d rather write about someone who has a modicum of discernible talent.

Read the rest of this entry »

When Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake teamed up with the Roots to perform “The History of Rap” last September, it was a blast — a fun and funny walk through some of rap’s most influential songs. Then they did a second volume this summer, and it was noticeably watered down. Four months have gone by since then, and now we’ve got a third edition (video below).

The performance is fine — it’s good, really — but it feels predictable. “Oh, here’s the part where they finish the medley in the audience.” And while I enjoyed Timberlake razzing Fallon about not having to use his AK, I was equally embarrassed to see them include a slice of “Jump Around,” the whitest rap hit of all time. C’mon guys, leave that one to the DJs working high school dances and boring people’s weddings.

Read the rest of this entry »

Boss (Starz, Friday) — Series premiere. Between this new drama and “Magic City,” Starz is making a serious play for my attention. Kelsey Grammer stars as the mayor of Chicago and the chief operator of its powerful political machine, and if that doesn’t sound enticing to you, read this:

He controls the necessary votes on the city council. He gets to more or less handpick who will win the gubernatorial primary. He is a gifted orator (as you would expect any Kelsey Grammer character to be), a smooth deal maker and, when he needs to be, a terrifying bully.

He is at the height of his powers.

He will be dead in less than five years.

That’s not the tagline; that’s from a review.

American Masters: Pearl Jam Twenty (PBS, Friday) — If you didn’t see Cameron Crowe’s documentary in theaters and you like Pearl Jam, then this is probably worth recording tonight. Starts at 9:00 Eastern. (Trailer at the bottom of this post.)

World Series (Fox, Saturday & Sunday) — The series moves to Texas for Games 3 and 4. “New Girl” star Zooey Deschanel will sing the National Anthem before Sunday’s game — but will it be better or worse than her sister Emily can sing it?

Read the rest of this entry »