Tangled Up In Wires » News

Built to Spill Makes an Awesome EP

ulyssesworkman — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:22:39 +0000

Doug Martsch and Brett Nelson of TUIW favorite Built to Spill have created a side project called The Electronic Anthology who just put out an EP of Built to Spill covers that are all 80sed out. We’re talking synths, drum machines, and Doug in spandex doing aerobics (maybe not that last one). The song titles are all anagrams of the original BtS songs, for example “Else” from Keep it Like a Secret becomes “Eels.” You can sample three songs on their MySpace or buy the whole thing from CD Baby or at future BtS shows.

(H/T to Popcandy)

How I Met Your Mother Producers: Our Bad

Michael — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:13:40 +0000

Good news How I Met Your Mother Fans,* show creators Cater Bays and Craig Thompson have taken advantage of the CBS Press Tour to not only talk up the show’s upcoming sixth season, but also to more or less apologize for the show’s weak fifth season. Craig Thomas told Vulture, “Season five was a very fun season; we did some of our best episodes… but there wasn’t this larger emotional arc like you had in some past seasons. We wanted to slow down the [narrative] after telling the Robin and Barney relationship, so we opened it up in the middle of the season and did some stand-alone episodes. That meant we didn’t emotionally move the ball down the field as much as we have in past years.” He also told Alan Sepinwall, “I think we write our best catchy, gimmicky episodes while being deep within an arc. And we forgot that.”

It’s pretty good to see them owning up to a really disappointing season for the show, and to be honest, the tidbits they share about the next season has me excited for the show again. Without giving too much away, the two hinted (minor SPOILERS) that Marshall and Lilly will indeed start the process of having a baby, and more importantly, Ted will get a job designing the Goliath National Bank building and start moving closer to meeting The Mother. They’ll also be adding a new storytelling element, according to Bays: “In episode one, we begin a new framework for the show, in addition to the framework that exists, that will cast the mystery in a new light. Also create a new mystery that will expand the universe a bit.”

Intriguing! I’ve saved the best for last though. Thompson made the following pledge: “Can I make a promise? Ted will be absolutely undouchey this year.” I just breathed a sigh of relief. What about all of you? Are you willing to give HIMYM another shot after a rough year?

*Ed. Note: Can we come up with a name for HIMYM fans, in the same vein of Losties, Browncoats, or Gleeks? My leading contender is Suits. Any suggestions?

TUiW Question Featured in Jane Lynch Interview

Michael — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:23:12 +0000

We’ll be the first to tell you that TUiW doesn’t quite have media power of New York Magazine’s pop culture blog, Vulture, so naturally, we were surprised to have one of our questions asked to the hilarious Jane Lynch. Those familiar with Vulture know they open up their interviews to their readers, taking questions from the comments section, which is how a question from TUiW ended up in their interview with the Glee actress about her work on the much beloved Party Down:

Tangledupinwires asks: Had Party Down managed another season, would we have seen Constance again? And we’ll add: How do you feel about its cancellation?
It makes me very sad, for several reasons. It’s one of those shows, just by the nature of the premise — catering, where people come and go so much — that they could have mined the improv comedy world of L.A. to come up with another cast of just as fabulous people, I think, to fill in for those who’ve left for fame and fortune.

Make sure you read the whole interview here.

Track Review: Land of Talk – “Swift Coin”

Michael — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:28:40 +0000

In advance of next month’s Cloak and Cipher, Land of Talk’s first new single, “Swift Coin,” serves a perfect introduction for a band that’s been on the verge of breaking for a couple of years. Elizabeth Powell’s multitracked voice swoons over the warbling guitar that is the band’s trademark, before the song breaks down into a jam worthy of LoT’s former tourmates, Broken Social Scene (Powell contributed vocals for the band during their tour together). “Swift Coin” is a song that’s simply too catchy to be overlooked.

Land of Talk – “Swift Coin” [Link]

Who Cancelled the Pavement Webcast: A Tangled Up In Wires Investigation

ulyssesworkman — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:07:27 +0000

While Michael was enjoying some authentic chillwave at the Pitchfork Music Festival, SOME OF US were stuck in Austin, enjoying all the heat of an outdoor music festival but none of the Civil War punk rock. But, as a nice consolation prize, Pitchfork was streaming sets from the festival on their website. And good stuff too: LCD Soundsystem, Big Boi, Modest Mouse, and the big Sunday headliner: Pavement. Pavement was definitely on the schedule of artists for the webcast (and still is).

Except that the Pavement set was never broadcast, apparently because at the last minute Pavement withdrew their permission. Was it technical issues? Contractual stuff? A desire to make people, you know, pay to see Pavement live? Greg Kot at the Chicago Tribune doesn’t think so:

Why was Pavement excluded? One band member has a beef with Pitchfork’s editorial department. The band’s longtime booking agent, David Viecelli, explained Monday that “one of the band members has some issues with (the Pitchfork e-zine), comments that were made (in past articles) that demeaned that person in the context of Pavement.”

So who had their feelings hurt by Pitchfork? Your first guess may have been enigmatic frontman Stephen Malkmus (who was apparently not in a great mood Sunday night), but Kot said its not him (and it wouldn’t have made much sense anyway since Michael points out that it would be pretty out of character for P4K to bash Malkmus). Instead, a quick look around The Mothership would seem to point to Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, whose new solo record came out last year and had, uh, lukewarm reception:

In the time since Pavement’s dissolution in 1999, Kannberg has stepped into the role of the frontman with mixed results. Despite the nod to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass in its title, his debut as the leader of the Preston School of Industry did not reveal him to be an extraordinary songwriter obscured by the flash of his former partner, but rather just a serviceable author of amiable but not especially interesting indie rock

The central problem with the Preston School of Industry albums is that the very things that made Kannberg an effective foil for Malkmus also made him exhausting and dull as the focal point of a band. Whereas he was once the Milhouse Van Houten to Malkmus’ Bart Simpson, he had devolved into being an incoherent indie equivalent of Milhouse’s dad mewling “Can I Borrow a Feeling?”

His style may shift, but Kannberg remains an unambitious songwriter and underwhelming frontman. It could just be that he’s the type of person who best thrives as a second banana. Then again, maybe all he needs is a foil of his own.

We don’t know its Spiral Stairs, but we’re just saying he might have a little empathy for Chris Bosh and an axe to grind with Pitchfork editorial. If you have more information on this developing story, e-mail us at tangledupinwires [at] gmail [dot] come

[Additional, Very Journalistic Reporting by Michael Warshauer.]

Amy Ryan Returns to Dunder-Mifflin

ulyssesworkman — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:29:27 +0000

If next year really is Steve Carrell’s last one on The Office, then at least he’ll be going out with a bang. TV Guide is reporting that Amy Ryan will be coming back to the show for eight episodes next season. For those who do not remember, Ryan (who was also in The Wire and Gone Baby Gone) played HR rep Holly Flax, and her flirtation with Michael was pretty much the last great thing to ever happen on the show. Hopefully Ryan can reignite the show, which has definitely lost a step or two in recent years.

R.I.P. Harvey Pekar

ulyssesworkman — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:39:47 +0000

Harvey Pekar, one of the greatest comic book writers ever, was found dead in his home in Cleveland. There is currently no information about his cause of death.

Pekar is most famous for American Splendor, an unglamorous, slice-of-life examination of Pekar’s daily experiences in Cleveland. In 1994, Pekar and his wife Joyce collaborated on Our Cancer Year, a novel-length comic book about Pekar’s battle with lymphoma. In 2003, American Splendor was adapted into a film which meshed dramatizations of the comic book (Paul Giamatti played Pekar) with interviews with Pekar himself. He also wrote a number of critical and historical pieces, such as Students for a Democratic Society: A Graphic History.

Below is video of one of Harvey Pekar’s famous appearances of David Letterman. It is truly a sad day for fans of comic books, great writing, or culture in general.

2010 Emmy Nominations Are In

Michael — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:57:38 +0000

Here you go folks, your 2010 Emmy Nominations! A little bit of snap analysis accompanies each category. Sound off on your thoughts in the comments!

Outstanding Drama
Lost
Breaking Bad
Dexter
Mad Men
True Blood
The Good Wife

Who Should Win: Breaking Bad. That show can’t get any better.
Who Will Win: Tough to say really, but I wouldn’t put too much thought into Dexter or True Blood. Lost has a chance because the Emmy’s like to honor shows that have ended, but I think the safe bet is between Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
Who Was Snubbed: Friday Night Lights. Not a big shock, but another great season goes unrewarded.

Outstanding Comedy

Glee
Modern Family
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Nurse Jackie
30 Rock
The Office

Who Should Win: Modern Family. A terrific debut season that made the sentimental family comedy hilarious again.
Who Will Win: Glee or Modern Family. I wouldn’t count out The Office or 30 Rock, since both were nominated for weak seasons, but I think the rookie shows have the edge.
Who Was Snubbed: I’d say Party Down if it had a bigger audience, but I’m going to go with Parks and Recreation. The show turned it around big time and largely got shut out. I’d trade it with The Office in a heartbeat.
Outstanding Actress in a Drama
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
Mariska Hargitay (Special Victims Unit)
Glenn Close (Damages)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
January Jones (Mad Men)
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)

Who Should Win: Connie Britton. Finally nominated for her incredible work on FNL, Tammy Taylor deserves an Emmy.
Who Will Win: I think this one is going to go to either Julianna Margulies or Glenn Close, one for her high profile show and the later for her high profile status.
Who Was Snubbed: Katey Sagel. Sons of Anarchy doesn’t scream “Emmy,” largely because it’s on FX, but Sagel is easily the best part of the show.

Outstanding Actor in a Drama
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Hugh Laurie (House M.D.)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Matthew Fox (Lost)

Who Should Win: Bryan Cranston. It’s great to see Kyle Chandler get a nod, but Cranston again cannot be topped.
Who Will Win: Cranston. Michael C. Hall won the Golden Globe, but I can’t see Cranston losing the Emmy.
Who Was Snubbed: Bill Paxton, for Big Love. In a season in which Big Love struggled and Bill became less likable, Paxton sold it for all it was worth.

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy
Lea Michele (Glee)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Toni Collette (The United States of Tara)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

Who Should Win: Amy Poehler. She was the heart and soul of the revived Parks and Rec, transforming a character in just a season’s time. Definitely would have my vote.
Who Will Win: Tina Fey. The Emmy’s still think 30 Rock is the great show it was in its first two seasons, so I think she’ll take home another statue.
Who Was Snubbed: Lizzie Caplan, for Party Down. Casey got 100x funner in season two, but again, no one watched.

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Matthew Morrison (Glee)
Steve Carell (The Office)
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)

Who Should Win: Have to go with Larry David. Curb did it again.
Who Will Win: Really anyone. LD has the best chance, but this category seems wide open.
Who Was Snubbed: Joel McHale for Community. Jeff Winger could have been a boring character without McHale, who more than ably led that show.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Chris Colfer (Glee)
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)
Jon Cryer (Two and A Half Men)
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)

Who Should Win: Oh man. Three Modern Family nods, all deserving, plus NPH, who has yet to win, it’s a tough one to pick!
Who Will Win: NPH. I think this is his year. I wouldn’t be shocked to see anyone win though.
Who Was Snubbed: Chris Pratt for Parks and Rec. Andy is such a moron, but he produced some of the biggest laughs for me, all season long.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Jane Lynch (Glee)
Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)
Holland Taylor (Two and A Half Men)

Who Should Win: I loved the Modern Family actresses, but I think Jane Lynch deserves, not just based on Glee, but her many years struggling in relative obscurity.
Who Will Win: Lynch. Everyone loves her, I think she’s a lock.
Who Was Snubbed: Alison Brie, for Community. Brie earned big laughs as bubbly Annie Edison, the former pill addict who somehow is still incredibly naive.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Martin Short (Damages)
Terry O’Quinn (Lost)
Michael Emerson (Lost)
John Slattery (Mad Men)
Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age)

Who Should Win: O’Quinn or Emerson. They were both too good not win. I could also see this as the big category Lost wins.
Who Will Win: Paul has a big chance, but I think the Lost actors are going to get their last hurrah here.
Who Was Snubbed: I know picking another Lost actor seems like overkill, but Jorge Garcia and Nestor Carbonell both turned in some incredibly great performances this season.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Sharon Gless (Burn Notice)
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
Rose Byrne (Damages)
Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)

Who Should Win: Elisabeth Moss. A fantastic season for Peggy, that saw her start to come in on her own a little bit more.
Who Will Win: Moss, Hendricks, or Byrne. It’s a three woman race.
Who Was Snubbed: Chloe Sevigny for Big Love. Like Bill Paxton, a great performance in a season with such a weak story.

Reality Competition program
American Idol
Amazing Race
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Saturday Night Live
Real Time With Bill Maher
Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien

Who Should Win: Conan. Just because.
Who Will Win: Conan. Just because.
Who Was Snubbed: Letterman. He had a mini resurgence with Jay gone, but alas, Bill Maher gets his spot instead.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Mike O’Malley (Glee)
Eli Wallach (Nurse Jackie)
Neil Patrick Harris (Glee)
Fred Willard (Modern Family)
Jon Hamm (30 Rock)
Will Arnett (30 Rock)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Kristen Chenoweth (Glee)
Jane Lynce (Two and a Half Men)
Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory)
Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)
Tina Fey (SNL)
Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)
Betty White (SNL)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Robert Morse (Mad Men)
John Lithgow (Dexter)
Gregory Itzin (24)
Beau Bridges (The Closer)
Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)
Ted Danson (Damagaes)
Dylan Baker (The Good Wife)

Who Was Snubbed: Zach Gilford for Friday Night Lights. Even if you’ve never seen the show before, watch the episode “The Son” and then tell me you didn’t cry.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Mary Kay Place (Big Love)
Sissy Spacek (Big Love)
Ann-Margret (Law & Order: SVU)
Lilly Tomlin (Damages)
Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost)
Shirley Jones (The Cleaner)

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
The Office (Niagara)
Glee (Pilot)
Modern Family (Pilot)
30 Rock (Anna Howard Shaw Day)
30 Rock (Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter)

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
The Good Wife (Pilot)
Mad Men (Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency)
Mad Men (Shut the Door. Have a Seat.)
Friday Night Lights (The Son)
Lost (The End)

Women of the Daily Show Respond to Sexism Allegations

Michael — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:51:52 +0000

A few weeks ago, the New York Times ran a piece on new Daily Show correspondent Oliva Munn which suggested that Munn’s new gig and entire career can all be attributed to the fact that she’s hot. A few days before, Jezebel writer Irin Carmon did an article with several former staffers that exposed the show’s work environment as extremely sexist, with host Jon Stewart at the top of the pyramid, running “The Daily Show with joyless rage,” and firing several female staffers for disliking them. Well today, the “Women of the Daily Show” have posted a response on the show’s website, addressed to “People Who Don’t Work Here,” disputing most of the Jezebel article, for which Comedy Central didn’t allow them to be interviewed. The article is accompanied with a picture and signatures of all the women that work for the Daily Show, as well as a list of things Jon Stewart has supported them through, which includes, “9/11,” “Divorce,” and “Inadequately researched blog posts that cling to a predetermined narrative about sexism at The Daily Show.” This is all pretty interesting, especially with the debates over women in late-night comedy that crop up every year during the Emmys. It’s hard to say women don’t get as much respect in comedy in general when there are so many great female comedians and actresses dominating network television these days (especially on NBC), and I’m guessing if the problem at The Daily Show was as bad as Jezebel makes it out to be, the female staffers wouldn’t have spoken out against it. In several respects, late night comedy is behind when it comes to female talent, however, which is part of what makes this debate so interesting (SNL is the perpetual exception to this rule, especially given the number of stellar female comedians that have come through it). But in either case, both articles definitely make for an interesting read.

Prince Wants You To Know The Internet is “Completely Over”

Michael — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:45:30 +0000

If there’s one person that we know flows with the zeitgeist, it’s Prince. Though it’s been over 20 years since he had a major hit record, the man who once insisted he be referred to as a symbol instead of a name is now insisting that the internet fad is over. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he says:

“The Internet’s completely over. I don’t see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. They won’t pay me an advance for it and then they get angry when they can’t get it… The Internet’s like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can’t be good for you.”

Yes, that’s right. Stop embracing technology and listen to Prince. TUiW will now cease operation.