Neil Young's New Ballad

This one is best if I don't give it away but not funny at all if you don't understand.

Check it out:

If you don't get it, it's a reference to this atrocity currently sweeping the nation. I can't believe the guy had to be eliminated simply on a technicality! Sad.

The Roots Don't Know Billy Joel, Learn Billy Joel

On Thursday Jeremy Renner was on "Late Night" to promote "The Hurt Locker". After mentioning that he sometimes plays/sings with a band, Jimmy decides to have him show off his musical skills. One of his favorites is "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel.

Jimmy: Roots, do you know "New York State of Mind"?

[Shot of The Roots looking like deer in headlights]

Jimmy: I think we stumped The Roots.

[Shot of The Roots wracking their brains in silence.]

Jeremy Renner does a solo and The Roots accompany as the melody becomes clearer.

Back from commercial, Jimmy is still disturbed. "The Roots don't know Billy Joel? I can't even believe it. You guys are in so much trouble. You don't know any Billy Joel?" Some members point fingers at other members, others hang their heads in shame. One offers, "I know who he is!"

Jimmy and Jeremy play an intense game of Perfection. At the conclusion of the segment, as Jimmy throws to commercial, The Roots play "You May Be Right". They had learned and arranged a Billy Joel song in 4 minutes.

Follow Up: Friday - First guest: Kiefer Sutherland who plays Jack Bauer in "24". The Roots play "Captain Jack". Second guest: Kerry Washington who's in a Broadway play. The Roots play "Uptown Girl". They followed their embarrassing episode one day earlier with an All-Billy-Joel extravaganza.

This phenomenon is not unheard of in my life. In an interview once, a reporter asked Thom Yorke (Radiohead frontman) if he liked any Billy Joel songs. He thought for a minute but responded that he didn't know who that was. Then after some time had passed he said something like, "Is that the guy who did that 'it's still rock 'n roll' song? Yeah, I like that one."

Not knowing who Billy Joel is?! I guess it goes to show that sometimes some artists live in a plane of existence outside the realm that you and I live in.

WTS: 1 Late Night Talk Show

While he still can, Conan is trying to sell "The Tonight Show" on craigslist in order to get something out of it.

"4 SALE: BARELY-USED LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW – MAKE ME AN OFFER!!! (Universal Studios)

--------------------------------------------------

This is a chance of a lifetime to own your very own late night talk show--guaranteed to last for up to seven months!! Really must see to appreciate.

Information for potential buyers:

- Measures 100’ x 100’ x 32’ – plenty of room for a futon!

- Designed for 11:35 but can be easily moved

- Band can be sold separately

- Buyer must honor Barry Manilow booking next Thursday

MAKE ME YOUR BEST OFFER!!!!! (Also willing to trade for Coldplay tickets.)"

See the listing here.

Ricky Gervais on The Tonight Show, New HBO Clip

It's always worth noting when Ricky Gervais appears on The Tonight Show as he's one of the funniest guests. Not one to pass up a good opportunity(or twelve), he is relentless with jokes about NBC and Conan's uncertain future.

A special, almost surreal, moment for me is when he and Conan talk about Karl Pilkington on national television. That's 'Worlds Colliding' for my life experience. He also showed a new promotional clip for the new HBO show "The Ricky Gervais Show" which features a classic Ricky and Steve Merchant improv bit.

There is no reason to divide this into 4 parts other than purely for commercials...

Part 1:

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Part 2:

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Part 3:

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Part 4:

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HBO Promo Clip:

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Ricky's on mainly to promote the fact that he's hosting Golden Globes which will be this Sunday.

Head Swap #5!

Scientifically, it you switch two celebrity's heads on their bodies it, by definition, equals comedy.

IT'S HEAD SWAP!

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Ringo v. Questlove

For those of you who didn't watch Ringo Starr on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, it was pretty entertaining but nothing particularly historic. That is, except for one clip that didn't air because it took place after the end credits rolled and The Roots were preforming the Late Night theme ("Here I Come").

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Questlove later described it as "historic".