I couldn't find the remote last night, but it was ok because the TV was on C4 and there were decent programmes to be viewed. Well, mostly decent, and one that was most indecent.

Rocked The Nation 100 Music Moments has been fab during NZ Music Month and last nights installment was no different. Karen Hay presents a half hour countdown of NZ music snippets and juicy tidbits and last night I learnt some great trivia for pulling out at parties, AND solved a mystery that has plagued me throughout the ages; what did Blerta mean?

Well it turns out it was an acronym for "Bruno Lawrence Electric Travelling Apparition" and was not a euphemism for gastric distress as I had always presumed. We were also treated to a little chunk of the Blerta song most likely to get stuck in my head and drive me crazy all day "Dance All Around The World". And did you know that Jack Nicholson once proclaimed Bruno Lawrence to be his favourite actor?

Sharon O'Neill reveals that she did actually have clothes on in the infamous ‘erotic spa' video for 'Asian Paradise' and that Maxine was about a real life prostitute in Sydney who spent her days and nights hanging outside a bank. Which, when you think about is really a wise and logical location for a prostitute to set up shop.

I also learned about Douglas Lilburn who was a classical composer who shocked and appalled his fans and colleagues when he went to the dark side and embraced electronic music. He went on to become a pioneer of the genre in NZ and acquired a whole new fan base in the process. I also learned that Dragon and Hello Sailor used to flat together, which makes total sense now that I think about it. There's only two more episodes left so make sure you get some Kiwi music trivia in your TV diet.

Following on from Rocked The Nation was The Loop, an American sitcom about Sam, a young executive at an airline trying to balance his life as a stuffed suit by day and hardened partier by night.

Now, do you ever get the feeling when you're watching a TV show that perhaps the people responsible for it need to find NEW JOBS??? This is one of those shows. It's deeply unfunny, filled with crass and moronic humour as usually heard in the company of 13 year old boys.

The only people that are funny are the secretary, who gets about 10 seconds of airtime and Phillip Baker Hall as Sam's crazy old boss, who you may recognise from flicks such as Boogie Nights and Bruce Almighty. It also stars the ex-ex-Mrs Tom Cruise, Mimi Rogers as Sam's sex-starved cougar-esque colleague. Poor Mims is clearly not getting the alimony she so richly deserves.

Bret Harrison who plays Sam has moved on to the new show Reaper which TV2 has the rights to but has yet to air here. I've heard good things about it, and it's got to be better than The Loop. And for all of you Loop fans who think I'm crazy, well it's been cancelled so get your fill of it while you can.

And last night marked the long overdue return of Back Of The Y to our screens. The warning screen advises that it is not suitable viewing for those under 16. Fair enough. Then it warns that it is too juvenile for people over 16 and that viewing is not recommended. Uh oh. Yes, it too is filled with smut and filth, but at least it's original, unlike The Loop. In fact it's so filthy that I can't even tell you about the pixelated madness that ensues.

Back Of The Y is crammed full of the crazy, gross and downright gag-inducing. Over the next half hour we are treated to the adventures of a pair of scatological superheroes battling their nemesis Toilet Duck, Victorian era bicycling stunts featuring sea elephants, and the latest advancements in mobile porn technology, amongst others (I have selected only the tamest items for you, fragile reader). What other show could offer you so much in such a short space of time?

It's so good to see that the best stuff on our local music channel is in fact our own homegrown local content.

Oh and TV2, when are you going to start showing Gossip Girl? We're waiting..............

 

What To Watch This Week

Tuesday 27th May
When A Stranger Calls 9.30PM TV2
Ooh remember this? "Have you checked the children?" That still makes my blood run cold. Well in this remake of the classic thriller, Jill is babysitting in a dark house concealed in the woods when she discovers a stranger is in the house. She does the sensible thing and runs around in the dark by herself.

That's Amore 5.00PM MTV
Spin-off from the glorious trash that was A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila starring popular rejected suitor Domenico.

Wednesday 28th May
Making Tracks 8.30PM C4
Join Nick Dwyer as he jets around the globe gathering local interpretations of some our greatest NZ songs. My secret sources tell me this new show is bloody awesome, and doesn't it look it!

The Amazing Race 7.30PM TV2
The teams are surging through Italy this week. Please let sweet goths Kynt and Vixen be victorious!

Thursday 29th May
Confetti 8.30 TV3
English ‘mockumentary' about three couples competing for the chance to win their dream wedding. It's not as good as Best In Show or others of its ilk but this comedy has its moments. Starring Martin Freeman from The Office.

Friday 30th May
Americas Next Top Model 7.30PM, Rove 8.30PM and Project Runway 9.30PM TV3
Yes it's the Friday night trilogy. Nicely done TV3

Saturday 31st May
100 Great British Anthems 6.30PM C4
C4 are celebrating Queens Birthday with an homage to all things English

Sunday 01 June
Criminal Intent 9.30PM TV3
That devilishly handsome rogue Vincent D'Onofrio returns to our screens as Detective Robert Goren for another season psychological crime-fighting.

Monday 02 June - Happy Birthday Queen!!
Wild Thing I Love You TVNZ6
Everyones favourite Yeti impersonator, Bill Bailey features in this series where each week a panel of experts attempts to solve a wildlife crisis.