TVSquad

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a taping of The Sound of Young America at Santa Monica's Westside Eclectic Theater. There was music and merriment and a fart orchestra that I won't bother explaining, but the centerpiece of the show was an interview between host Jesse Thorn and Veronica Mars creator and Miss/Guided showrunner Rob Thomas.

I learned many important things about Rob Thomas that night.

This American Life starts up on Showtime this Thursday, March 22nd, and one of the first four episodes features an entire segment animated by Chris Ware. If you haven't seen Ware's art before, then you've been missing out. He's been feature in The New York Times Magazine, was in the "Masters of American Comics" touring museum exhibit, and is an artist who really captures angst well. Whoever thought that would be considered a huge plus.

You can watch Ware's This American Life segment here. I really enjoyed the way it captures the spirit and theme of the radio show. Give it a whirl and let us know what you think.

[Thanks, Mike]

PBS is taking the council of teens. Conor Reynolds, a member of PBS' Teen Council, wrote a short essay for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in which he talked about PBS' strategies to attract younger audience members. As you might suspect, their strategy is to go digital - offering clips of shows via YouTube or via free downloads on iTunes. It's a "hang out where the kids hang out" strategy that has, at the very least, attracted Conor Reynolds to show interest in the network. There is, of course, a major problem with this strategy. If we take the metaphor a little further, being the creepy, middle-aged guy hanging out where the kids hang out isn't going to do anything for your audience numbers.

Here she is (opens iTunes). Just like I promised. Storm Large, the best contestant on last summer's Rock Star: Supernova, was a guest on an Oregon public radio program called Live Wire. It's a variety-type show that is recorded in front of a live audience (I attended the December taping). She sang "Beautiful", a PG-rated version of "Ladylike", and a sultry rendition of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" at the very end of the show.

That show has finally aired- it made air in Oregon just before Christmas and now Live Wire's podcast is in iTunes. Not only does Storm blow away the public radio types with her performances, she also gives an entertaining interview about being a very scary stepmom.

I just had to drop a quick note to fans of Storm Large, one of the most popular contestants on last summer's Rock Star: Supernova. I got to see her perform live last night for a public radio program here in Portland, Oregon. The radio show is called Live Wire (it records once a month at the Aladdin for you P-towners), and it's sort-of like Prairie Home Companion, but for young people. Storm Large and the Balls, who are a very big deal here in Portland, performed three songs last night for the radio program. She sang two of her originals, "Beautiful" and the uber-popular, PG-rated version of "Ladylike". She closed out the show with a very sultry version of "I'll Be Home for Christmas".

I freely admit that I'm a Johnny-come-lately fan of Storm Large, but... damn, she rocks! I saw her on Rock Star a few times last summer and the television does her no justice whatsoever. You have to see this woman perform live. Her stage presence is captivating-- probably a combination of her self confidence and her amazing voice. I felt like I was in a trance as I watched her-- she's so damn commanding. Plus, she's drop-dead gorgeous!

For Oregonians, the Live Wire featuring Storm Large airs at 8 pm on OPB on December 23rd. The radio program also has a podcast version so I'll post a link to that when it comes out during the week of Christmas.