MY IT LISTS

Every now and then I like to make a few lists, not because my lists are better than your lists (although my milkshake is better than your milkshake - shout out to Kelis!), but because I like to share my interests and passions and compare them with the interests and passions of others. The fact that I don't always get the feedback I like about what other people are into isn't that big a deal...at least I've put MY stuff out there and if you want to sample some of my favorites, more power to you.

Now, on to my "It Lists", with comments when appropriate. Feel free to share your faves with me in the Comments section of my blog:

Seven It TV Shows*
* - from the 2007-08 TV season or easily available for downloading

1. MAD MEN (AMC) - this show returns July 27th. Check out the feature on the show in this week's New York Times Magazine or just rent the first season on DVD when it comes out July 1st. Its that good and that real, with acting, costumes, set design and writing better than anything else currently on TV.

2. Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi) - I've written enough about this show in previous posts and you can dig up my comments if you really want to. This is the last season (split into two parts--separated by about six months. Thanks Sci Fi Network!) and I realize that if you're not into BG by now, you probably won't ever get into it, but damn this is some fine television!!

3. In Treatment (HBO) - Wow, you can go a long way down my It List without ever finding a Big 4 network show. That's not good news for the Big 4. About In Treatment, the thing that makes this show so worthwhile is the acting. HBO just renewed it for next year with an all new cast, although Gabriel Byrne will return as Paul, the therapist who is at the center of it all.

4. 30 Days (FX) - The first of three shows on this list from my former employer, but I'm not biased at all. I like most Michael Moore documentaries (except for maybe Bowling for Columbine), but he could learn a lot about telling a story and letting the audience discover a point of view for themselves by watching this well-produced summer documentary series.

5. Damages (FX) - Renewed for next spring. Yea! William Hurt joins the cast. Double yay!! Yes, it is occasionally melodramatic, but the twisty plot and razor's edge performance give this show the feel of an old fashioned adult dramatic thriller. You know, the kind of movies the late Sydney Pollack was very adept at making but that we rarely see anymore.

6. The Riches (FX) - The last (abbreviated) season really won me over. Here's hoping it gets renewed. If not, all 18 episodes should be available on DVD soon.

7. Heroes (NBC) - Here's hoping this show gets its mojo back in a big way next year, although even mediocre Heroes is far more compelling to watch than most things on the boob tube these days.

"It" Podcasts

This American Life (NPR) - The television version of this popular public radio program is quite good, but it doesn't quite capture the depth and scope of this idiosyncratic look at how we live today that the radio show does. The (for now) free podcasts are probably the best way to enjoy this important and entertaining program.

The Dan Patrick Show (SI.com) - Best. Sports Talk Show. Ever. And coming from a long time fan of Jim Rome, that's saying something.

The Treatment (KCRW/NPR) - You'll learn more about the movie business today from listening to this Elvis Mitchell-hosted show than you will from a year's worth of film classes. Trust me, I know.

"It " Music

Coldplay, Viva la Vida - Three years in the making and this is probably their best album yet. (And it is an ALBUM, so don't just go downloading random tracks.) Has the sonic complexity you've come to expect from Coldplay without overdoing it on the falsetto and atmospherics like on their last LP, "X & Y".

Lupe Fiasco, The Cool - Forget Lil' Wayne, Kanye West and Jay-Z--this is still the best hip-hop album of the last nine months, hands down. (Although each of the aforementioned artists has done well with their most recent albums and I totally like their work, so don't get it twisted!)

Meatbeat Manifesto, "I Hold the Mic!" - I can't stop playing this six year old track from the industrial dance duo Meatbeat Manifesto. An infectious yet menacing beat that is great to work out to.

Vampire Weekend - Good shit. These Columbia University grads may be emulating early Talking Heads, but they're better at doing it than any of the Heads previous imitators have been.

"It" Sports

Tiger Woods - For his next trick he'll win the 2009 Masters with one hand tied behind his back. We're not worthy!

Colorado Rockies - Someone needs to tell these guys that the baseball season starts in April, not June. And that it's good to have three or four quality starting pitchers, not one or two. Still, like Rasputin, here come the Rox slowly creeping back from the dead in their woeful division.

Boston Celtics - I have never been a Celtics fan, but it was fun to watch them play great team basketball and suffocating defense while revealing the Lakers to be the frauds I secretly suspected they were. I feel great for Kevin Garnett, one of the great all-around guys in pro sports.

The Canadian Football League - what the NFL could be if it could get it's head out of it's ass, loosen up the offensive rules and not be so worried about looking good for it's corporate partners all the time. All the CFL needs is better distribution in the States so geeks like me could see the games more easily (apartment complexes aren't good for satellite dishes usually).

Like Rocco Mediate on the seventh hole, I'm done. Next time, some movie reviews for you. Peace...