The Filtered Excellence: August 9, 2012

Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks picks of what to WATCH, what to DO what to TRY what to READ what to LISTEN TO and more:
*****************

WATCH THIS:

2012 Olympics and Closing Ceremonies.   The 2012 Olympics are almost over but there is still a lot left to watch over the weekend.

• Friday, August 10: Men’s Basketball Semifinal, USA vs Argentina at 4pm.
• On Saturday, August 11:  Brazil vs Mexico in the Women’s Volleyball Gold Medal Game at 1:30pm, the Mens Soccer Gold Medal Game at 10am with Brazil taking on Mexico, and the US will be playing France at 4pm in Women’s Basketball for the Gold.
• Sunday, August 12:  Men’s Marathon starting at 6am and then watch the Mens Basketball Gold Medal Game starts at 10am.  Closing Ceremonies start on Sunday at 7pm.  All times are eastern.

Football Association Community Shield. Chelsea vs Manchester City. European champions take on the English champions in the annual curtain raiser for the English Premiership season. Sunday 8:30 est Fox Soccer channel.

• Get details here.

Children’s Hospital.  Crazy-ass, twistedly hysterical, weeeeeird Children’s Hospital is back for its 4th season tonight! 12:15 AM on Adult Swim.  Look for more insane antics in a hospital setting, a la Rob Corddry, David Wain, Megan Mullally, Ken Marino, Erinn Hayes, Lake Bell, Henry Winkler, Rob Huebel, and many more funny folk who might just show up at the hospital named for Dr. Arthur Childrens. There’s a lot of madness packed into this 15 minute show.

• See the season 4 trailer and get more info at the CH web page.

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Who is W. Kamau Bell? He’s a stand up comedian based out of San Francisco, who has quietly been climbing up the ranks with his brand of socially conscious humor. He caught the eye of Chris Rock, who was approached by the FX Channel to develop a new series. The result is Totally Biased, which is an extension of some of the issues that Bell tackles in his stand up set and has Rock aboard as Executive Producer. Expect some biting, edgy humor that will make you think almost as much as it will make you laugh. Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell premieres August 9thon FX right after Louie or catch it on demand.

• Find out everything you need to know on the show web page

* * * * * * * * * *

LISTEN TO THIS:

Redd Kross ‘ Researching the Blues (released yesterday, 8/8/12).  Researching the Blues is Redd Kross’ seventh studio album and their first album in 15 years. So, I guess you can call it a comeback; the Cali quartet is coming back strong. Researching the Blues is pure upbeat pop punk rock n roll music, tinged with a garage rock sound as well as power pop energy and some intensely hooky songs. The self-produced album is brims with catchy songs.”Stay Away From Downtown,” and “Uglier,” sport killer harmonies and super-riffiness. This is a tight, electrified, extremely fun album. Redd Kross’ comeback may just be their best yet.

• Visit Redd Kross’ website for information

* * * * * * * * * *

BROWSE THIS:

Taibblog By Matt Taibbi. Rolling Stone Contributing Editor Matt Taibbi has made numerous appearances on Real Time With Bill Maher, The Rachel Maddow Show, Democracy Now!, Countdown With Keith Olbermann, and countless other news shows for his hard-hitting articles on a variety of hot button issues affecting the nation. His coverage on the financial world has become his calling card, making the seemingly complexities of finance simply enough to where the average person can understand it. He’s been fearless in calling out the well dressed crooks on Wall Street, the political landscape that protects them and how it’s screwing the rest of us. He’s one of the few voices of reason in finance journalism and in journalism as a whole.

• You can read his blog here.

DO THIS:

Perseids Meteor Shower.  August 10/11, 11/12, and 12/13, 2012 Perseids Meteors are typically best after midnight, but in 2012, with the moon rising into the predawn sky, you might want to watch in late evening as well.    The Perseids are considered by many people to be the year’s best shower, and often peak at 50 or more meteors per hour in a dark sky. The Perseids tend to strengthen in number as late night deepens into midnight, and typically produce the most meteors in the wee hours before dawn. These meteors are often bright and frequently leave persistent trains. Starting in late evening on the nights of August 10/11, 11/12 and 12/13. The Perseid meteors will streak across these short summer nights from late night until dawn, with only a little interference from the waning crescent moon. Plus the moon will be near the bright planets Venus and Jupiter in the eastern predawn sky.

• Listen to Frankie Mac Help you prepare for this major event

New York: Pardon Our Analysis: An All-Star Gathering For Gil Scott-Heron @ Damrosch Park 8/12. Gil Scott-Heron was a poet, writer, musician and one of the most in depth and insightful critical thinkers of our time. The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra, under the direction of Latasha Diggs, will pay homage to the self-proclaimed ‘bluesologist’ through poetry and of course, music. Featured performers will include Gil’s former musical partner Brian Jackson, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets, Carl Hancock-Rux, Sandra St Victor and much more. The best part is that its FREE. It’s all part of the Lincoln Center Out Of Doors series.

• Go to their website for show times and more information.

 SUMMER FESTIVAL ROUND UP: MORE TO CHECK OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THIS WEEK