TVSquad

Like Paul, I don't watch the Tonys, which isn't saying much because I don't watch the Oscars or the Emmys, either. The only award show I'll watch is the People's Choice Awards, and only because I didn't figure out until recently that the winners aren't all chosen by Nia Peeples. I just have a lot of respect for her opinion, I'm not sure why.

Anyway, Late Night with Conan O'Brien's resident insult dog puppet, Triumph, was as the Tony Awards (equipped with his Gaydar 4000), and as usual when Triumph crashes an event, the results are freaking hysterical. I want so badly to list all of my favorite lines from the bit, but since I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't seen it, check out the video below.

Brian Lynch wants to ask you some questions about Angel. Not familiar with the name? Well, Brian is the co-author of the upcoming Angel season 6 comic coming soon from IDW Publishing, and he wants some of your input for potential entry into the series.

Three of the questions pertain to the original five-season run of the show. For instance, Lynch would like to know what other Angelverse character you'd like to see as a puppet other than Angel himself (who became one during the last season). Brian would also like to know who your favorite baddie was from both Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Finally, who do you think was the most under-appreciated character in Angel. Lynch clarifies what he wants by stating that characters such as Lorne or Wesley should not be included. He's talking about a character that has largely been ignored by fans.

You can reply to these questions at either the IDW discussion boards or at the Whedonesque website. You can also express you opinions here in this very blog.

If you have little kids in your house, you might want to tune into Noggin's Jack's Big Music Show on February 2. Daily Show host Jon Stewart will be appearing on the show, making it the best opportunity for you to enjoy a kid show along with your kids, not counting that time David Brinkley appeared on Teletubbies*. Stewart, who watches the show with his children, is a big fan.

Also, if you're a Flaming Lips fan like I am, the same episode will feature a video collaboration between the Lips' Steven Drozd and Steve Burns of Blue's Clues. Burns and the Lips have a history together: Drozd helped produce and also plays on Burns' album, "Songs for Dustmites" (which is actually quite good), and Burns also appears in the Flaming Lips movie, Christmas on Mars, which may or may not ever be finished. The band is kinda making it whenever they have free time.

Thanks to my buddy Wild Bill for the info.

*May not have ever happened.

Wayland Flowers may not be with us any longer (he died in 1988), but his famous puppet is still going strong. Madame has her own web site, and is now controlled by another puppet master. Seems she was devastated after Flowers' death, and is only now starting to perform again:

"I stayed in my box for what seemed like an eternity to my many fans, only coming out for the occasional dry martini and foot massage...well, a girl can't allow herself to go to pot!"

Madame is going to be perform again, though there are no dates posted on the site yet. However, you can see photos of Madame with her celeb friends, including Whoopi Goldberg, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, and Robin Williams. There's one of Wayland Flowers and Joan Rivers, and I swear I thought it was Madame at first.

(There must be a bunch of readers in their 20s saying to themselves right now, "Who the hell is Madame?!?" Heh.)

They've been saying since last year that Wonder Showzen, a subversive Sesame Street spoof from Canada that aired on MTV2, would be back for a second season. Well, now we actually have an airdate. The second season of what could quite possibly be my new favorite show kicks off on March 31. Here's hoping my cable provider doesn't take MTV2 away again. They have a nasty habit of moving that channel around, so much so that my Tivo has no idea what channel MTV2 is anymore. "It's channel 98, not 75!" I keep screaming, but it never listens.

Huh.

Wuh.

Who?

Pah?

Those were the four reactions I had upon seeing the trailer for the new HDTV program called Billy Bastard, which features the voice talents of Ren and Stimpy and Futurama voice actor Billy West. The show is apparently supposed to be a kind of "reality puppet show" about the titular character, a swearing, drug-using, beer guzzling jerk. You would think combining West with two directors from Ren and Stimpy (Bill Wrayand Jim Gomez) with puppeteers from Team America would result in a really great show, but so far I haven't been floored by what I've seen, though I have cracked up a few times. Maybe my humor switch is stuck today, so I won't pass judgment on the show just yet. Besides, there's too much awesome talent involved for me to dismiss it before actually seeing it for myself. You can learn more about Billy Bastard (and see clips)on his blog.