Jack Bauer minds the clock again
It’s been a long two years, but we can finally again talk about:
“24.” While trying to find peace alone, the luckless Jack Bauer instead finds himself embroiled in a military coup in Sangala. As it happens, his bad day hits on the very day the newest commander in chief, Allison Taylor (played by the ever-formidable Cherry Jones), is sworn into office. And get this, tonight’s TV movie, “24: Redemption,” is only a prelude to the upcoming seventh season. Baby steps to January. (Today)
If you wanted to like “High School Musical” but couldn’t, instead talk about:
Jason Robert Brown’s “13.” As you’ll hear on the Broadway cast album, the show’s songs about coming-of-geeky-age are more real -- yes, growing up is painful -- and infectious than anything you’ll find in the Disney Channel franchise. (Tuesday)
Speaking of musicals, you’ll want to talk about:
“A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All.” Colbert is trapped in a snowed-in cabin but sings away the time with friends Elvis Costello, Feist, Toby Keith, John Legend, Willie Nelson and Jon Stewart during tonight’s Comedy Central holiday special. Instant classics “Nutmeg,” “Can I Interest You in Hanukkah?” and “There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In” will be up on iTunes for downloading Tuesday. (Today)
Can we talk for a sec about:
Coldplay? The band is rereleasing its latest album, “Viva la Vida,” just five months after it came out, this time packaged with an EP of songs that weren’t ready on time for the release of “Viva” (in addition to three updates of existing tracks). Chris Martin even says on the group’s website that the EP tunes are “a little more catchy” than the ones that clocked in on time. So I get to pay twice because they couldn’t push the release date back? Or finish on time? Poo. (Tuesday)
Criterion collectors can now talk about:
“Bottle Rocket.” Wes Anderson’s directorial debut -- in fact, his best film -- is finally available as part of the Criterion Collection. Which means the DVD comes with a documentary about the making of the film, the original 13-minute black-and-white “Bottle Rocket” short, 11 deleted scenes, storyboards, behind-the-scenes photographs. Everything but Anderson. (Tuesday)
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