Category Archives: Television

VH1s Heavy: The Story Of Metal

VH1 Press Release

Metal is rocks untamed wild child. Metal is rude, crude, irreverent and irrepressibly loud. Metal is rock and roll just as its supposed to be, which is why everyone from Black Sabbath to Iron Maiden to Motley Crue to Slayer to Slipknot, have been hated by critics, feared by parents, attacked by politicians, and blamed for most of the worlds ills. So how did a combination of the devil and decibels become such an irresistible lure to generations of metal fans around the world?
What Ken Burns did for jazz, VH1 does for heavy metal — only a lot louder. “Heavy: The Story of Metal,” premiering Monday — Thursday, May 1-4 at 9PM* each night traces the evolution of heavy metal music and culture, from its dark, grim beginnings in Birmingham, England to the worldwide force that it remains to this day.
In a series of four themed hours, “Heavy: The Story of Metal,” explores
four decades of music, each hour examining this powerful and often
misunderstood genre, from metals pioneers to its love of glam and excess;
from the fight for metals rebellious soul to its storied flirtation with the
devil: Continue reading VH1s Heavy: The Story Of Metal

Finally, The Digital Revolution Is Really Here!

There is something interesting happening right under Microsofts nose. I wonder if they even realize it. M$ has been trying to get into the Entertainment industry for quite some time with Windows XP Media Center Edition. I wouldnt call it a success, but a few people like it.

However, the little company that could, Apple, has done something to thwart M$s endeavor into the world of Computers in the Home Entertainment Theater. Look around and you will see recent announcements that Apple is adding even more content to their Itunes Video offerings. Shows like Battlestar Galactica, The Office, Surface and classics like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Adam-12 and Knight Rider (Raze, your dreams have come true!).

For $1.99, you can legally download episodes you missed to your Video Ipod. But wait! Who would want to watch tv on a tiny 2 inch screen for $1.99 an episode? You are missing the point. Its not about the Ipod. Its about being able to download TV shows for a reasonable price legally. In fact, nothing says you have to play it on an Ipod. You could play it from any computer using Quicktime and pipe it out to your big screen TV. I have S-Video on my laptop and I can push the video to my 42” TV just as easily as I can watch it on an Ipod. That is the beauty of this whole situation. Without buying Windows XP Media Center Edition, Apple has given me an easy way to use my everyday laptop as a Media Center computer without paying the Microsoft Tax.

Another company that should be paying attention is Tivo. Its rumored that Apple is going to launch a DVR next. Imagine that? You can record your favorite TV shows for free, but miss an episode and for $1.99 you can grab it outside the normal delivery cycle. I love my Tivo, but if the price was right, I would buy an Apple DVR and put my Tivo on Ebay.

The thing that really gets me about this whole situation is the only people that understand the digital revolution is about cheap and easily acquired digital content is Apple and a few Hundred Million PC users. Are you listening RIAA? MPAA?

Read more details at ArsTechnica:
Apple Adds New Television Shows To Its Lineup
Apple Gaining Corporate Mind Share for Video Distribution

Antrhax Hosts HeadBangers Ball

In celebration of ANTHRAX September 20th release(s) Bass Player, Frankie Bello, will Host MTV2 Headbangers Ball Airing September 25th at 10:00 pm EST with Special guests Throwdown !!!

This weeks playlist:

Black Label Society- In This River
Underoath- Its Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door
Trivium- A Gunshot To The Head Of Trepidation
Napalm Death- Silence is Deafening
Drowning Pool- Killin Me
Throwdown- Burn
Anthrax- In My World **(might be replaced with “caught in a mosh” from the new DVD)
Clutch- Burning Beard
Chimaira-Nothing Remains
Norma Jean- Absentimental
10 Years- Wasteland
Nevermore- Final Product
In Flames- My Sweet Shadow
The Red Chord- Antman
Darkest Hour- Convalescence

****Bonus Droppable Clips**** Megadeth- Symphony of Destruction
Korn- Shoots & Ladders
Testament- Trial By Fire
Kix- Dont Close Your Eyes

Bands On TV

I saw this on Blabbermouth.net and thought it was kind of cool. Check out your favorite band as they perform on TV.

7/18-7/22 – The All-American Rejects, Head Automatica, Mae, MxPx, Rufio (videos) on Oven Fresh [FUSE]
7/18 – Fall Out Boy on Kimmel [ABC]
7/19 – the Hold Steady on Conan [NBC]
7/19 – Killswitch Engage on Last Call [NBC]
7/20 – Coheed & Cambria (guests) on Daily Download [FUSE]
7/20 – the Hold Steady on Last Call [NBC]
7/21 – Hawthorne Heights on TRL [MTV]
7/21 – Kaiser Chiefs on Regis and Kelly [syndicated]
7/21 – Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris on Letterman [CBS]
7/22 – Sum 41 on Ellen [syndicated; R]
7/22 – Tony Hawk on TRL [MTV]
Check your local listings for times.

The End of the Century: The Ramones

I just spent the last two hours sitting mesmerized in front of the television. I was watching PBS Independent Lens and the show was “The End of The Century: The Ramones”, and it was awesome to watch. If you have any interest in the Ramones you have to see this. If you have any interest in Rock and Roll you should see this. The Ramones form the roots of so much of the music that is out there today and those who do not know their roots are doomed to put out crappy music.

You can find out more information here: PBS Independent Lens

Great News For SciFi Fans

The Dead Zone returns to USA Network on June 12, paired with new episodes of The 4400, TV Guide Online reported.

Other than the strange schedule the Deadzone keeps, it is a great show. Paired with the 4400, another awesome SciFi show, this will be a great 2 hours of television.

Fans of the Daywalking Vampire will be happy to hear this….

Spike TV says it has ordered a two-hour movie that will act as a pilot for a series based on the Blade movies, with a premiere targeted for early next year, Zap2It reported.

In more interesting SciFi news….

Star Trek: Enterprise producers Brannon Braga and Rick Berman told SCI FI Wire that they understood the recent disparaging comments made by cast members about the final episode, but stood by their execution of the series finale.

I would just like to point out the use of the words execution of the series…. His words, not mine…. Funny how accurate they really are… Thanks for “executing” what could have been a great Star Trek series….

SOAD On SNL

The PRP reports: System Of A Down have been confirmed as the musical guest on May 07ths episode of “Saturday Night Live”. The band will perform their tracks “B.Y.O.B.” and “Chop Suey”. Johnny Knoxville will be hosting the program.

Full Story – http://www.theprp.com/

Can Enterprise Be Saved?

I am a big fan of SciFi. I especially love Star Trek and have watched every series to come down the pipe. I was excited when I learned the next major Star Trek series would focus on the first Enterprise. As a fan, I could only imagine the cool things they could do with Star Trek history so established, yet still open.

Sadly, UPN has done a terrible job of supporting Star Trek Enterprise, putting it up against other highly viable SciFi series like Smallville and StarGate SG1 on the SciFi channel. If it wasnt for my Tivo, I would be in big trouble, but I had managed to keep up.

Now, the official Fan website, Enterprise Fans has taken up donations to place a full page ad in the LA Times, requesting that Star Trek Enterprise be saved or at least picked up by another station. I support this endeavor and could only dream of a SciFi Friday Night with Star Trek Enterprise, StarGate Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica.

Oh and if you are wondering, I watch them via Tivo on Saturday. I couldnt miss our Friday Night Fights…. 🙂

Simmons Bio on A&E

blabbermouth reports: The A&E “Biography” episode on KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons is set to premiere on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 10:00 p.m. ET.

About the episode: Simmons is the co-founder of KISS, one of the biggest and most successful rock n roll bands in American history. “Biography: Gene Simmons” reveals how Simmons has managed to outlast, out-think and out-play most other rock stars. He parlayed his rock n roll success into books, movies, real estate development, TV shows, magazine publishing, merchandising and his latest project, his first solo album in 25 years, “Asshole”. [see full story for more]

Full Story – http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=29076

Rollins TV

Aversion reports: Henry Rollins will host a biweekly movie show on television this winter.

Rollins will weigh in on independent films twice a month on “Henrys Film Corner,” which will air every other Saturday on the Independent Film Channel. The first episode is set to debut Dec. 4.

Full Story – http://aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=3294

South Park Korn

labbermouth reports: KORN frontman Jonathan Davis will be presenting a special “South Park” Halloween episode this Thursday (Oct. 28) on Comedy Central at 9:30 p.m. EST. [see full story for more]

Full Story – http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=28373

Band of Brothers Returns to TV

As inspiration for mods and maps (not to mention numerous player handles) for Battlefield 1942, the HBO Series Band of Brothers ranks very high. For those of you who did not get to see it on HBO (or on dvd/video since then), you will now have your chance. Beginning on Sunday, April 11, at 9:00pm/8:00c the History Channel will be showing the series in its entirety starting with the “Currahee” episode. No word on whether it will be commercial free or not. You can sign up for an email reminder on the History Channel Website.

Continue reading Band of Brothers Returns to TV