So, last night, I watched the Mojo block on INHD straight through, in order to complete a survey on the programming. Why did I do this? Because it's some of the finest non-fiction programming I've had the pleasure of experiencing in years, and I want to make sure it sticks around.
The evening came to a close with London Live, far and away the best (and, well, if I'm being honest, probably only) live music program currently on TV, all featuring my favourite kind of artist. Which is to say, primarily the British kind. As I write this (in the past tense, suspecting that I'll not get around to posting it until the harsh light of day), Snow Patrol (Irish, note, but from the same set of isles so we'll let it slide) is performing "Chasing Cars." Now, I've never had a chance to see Snow Patrol live. Which is to say, they've been here, but at venues I don't particularly enjoy, and I've grown to be a bit of a wuss in that department. But live? Those boys rock. Gordon Lightbody has some fierce charisma about him that I never would have guessed from live audio recordings, bringing a serious punch to what the album would have you believe is just another ballad. Who else have I seen on London Live? Franz Ferdinand. The Delays. Richard Ashcroft. The Cribs. The Streets. The Kooks (on right now, following those nice Irish boys). Richard Hawley. The White Rose Movement (in the performance that introduced them to me). And some big name that is presently escaping me. Between acts (typically one- or two-song sets), the host makes witty nice with the headliner, and the world smiles.
The real highlight of Mojo, however, comes in the form of a happy drunk with a little monkey. That's right, kids. The one, the only, the fabulous Zane Lamprey. I don't actually drink that much, mind you, but Three Sheets is one of the most enjoyable shows, fiction or non, currently on the air. It's every bit as funny as most sitcoms out there, but better than that, you know what? It's educational. That's right. Nowhere else will you learn important drinking customs from aroundd the world. Forget the Food Network. Forget Mojo's own highly inferior Beer Nutz. Zane Lamprey is king of the drinking documentary. That show alone makes worth it INHD's price of admission. To him, I say, good health, long life, and may you die in Ireland.
Sandwiched between those two gems is After Hours with Daniel, a Dinner for Five for the celebrity chef set that is wholly enjoyable, albeit slightly underwhelming after the glory that is Three Sheets.
Watch these shows. Love them. Make them last, lest they be swallowed up by competitive eating challenges and obscure sporting events. C'mon, it's good for your mojo.
Y'know, I don't think we get that here. Which is odd, when one considers that I'm in Britain.
(And what did you think of The Kooks? I'm pretty sure I toldya to check them out awhile back now.)
Thought you might want to know about the new season of "Three Sheets"--it's coming March 2007. See below.
AMERICAN COMEDIAN ZANE LAMPREY
CONTINUES HIS ‘WORLDWIDE QUEST’ TO BREAK DOWN CULTURAL BARRIERS, ONE COUNTRY AND ONE BAR AT A TIME
MOJO on INHD’s Popular Hi-Def Series Three Sheets Is Renewed for
Ten-Episode Second Season Premiering March 14
New York - American comedian Zane Lamprey has visited 18 different countries in the past year for MOJO on INHD’s irreverent Three Sheets series. In this colorful and unconventional travelogue, Lamprey has the enviable job of visiting breweries, restaurants, pubs, and watering holes across many cultures in Europe, Asia and the Americas and logging in some memorable escapades. He winds up in a tub full of beer, encounters snakes and spiders, eats skewered pork knuckle, shares bizarre and exotic cocktails with the locals and learns that hangover cures in some cultures can be worse than the hangover itself.
Three Sheets’ whirlwind tour around the globe began in 2006 for the premier season with eight countries, eight episodes. In 2007, Lamprey resumes his planet-wide journey and HD viewers will get a second helping of the popular Hi-Def series. Ten new fast-paced half-hour episodes begin March 14, taking viewers to the Czech Republic, Munich, Croatia, Venice, Philippines, Taipei, Seoul, Japan, Puerto Rico and Louisville, Kentucky. The series is part of INHD’s MOJO prime-time and airs Wednesdays at 9PM ET and Fridays at 11:30PM ET (March only) and Mondays at 10:30PM ET (starting in April).
The sights and sounds of these diverse cultures, including some terrifying and very silly drinking customs are brought to MOJO viewers in stunning 1080i Hi-Def and Dolby 5.1 sound. The series even sneaks in some learning with mini pop-up documentary sidebars. But Lamprey knows how to get the real flavor of a country. You have to hang out with the locals. Witty and uber-social, Zane makes a lot of friends along the way, including a stoic and standoffish Croatian limo driver who we hear cried when Zane and the crew left.
The second season of Three Sheets’ globe-trotting adventures include:
Czech Republic: Zane meets “The Green Fairy” and discovers the birthplace of lager beer. He also samples nasty-smelling local cheeses and joins local tourists to warble Czech drinking songs.
Munich: This Bavarian binge begins on the Autobahn and sends Zane out to the original, authentic Oktoberfest. Clad in authentic Lederhosen, he attempts to hit as many beer tents he can in one night.
Croatia: Zane checks out the traditional liquor Bermet, an old-fashioned spiced wine liquor and Maraska, made from maraschino cherries. He also tries fencing with singing Renaissance performers.
Venice: The only place where it’s possible to go barhopping by gondola. Zane samples local Grappa and Prosecco (local sparkling wine). He’s also sent out with the trash.
Philippines: Zane experiences the nightlife from Manila to rural locations, sampling Lambanog (made from the flowers of coconut trees) and gets to consume beetle larva for what he thinks is a good reason.
Taipei: Sure there’s beer, but Zane gets to sample a drink make from cobra blood and alcohol. He must prove his manhood with the locals and undergoes an excruciating foot massage.
Seoul: Zane and his newly-found-friends participate in a brutal drinking game with plenty of Soju (rice vodka) and Ginseng booze. The penalty for losing a game was a doing a shot, or a very hard slap on the wrist.
Japan: In a restaurant in Kyoto, with over 150 different Sakis to chose from, six relentless Japanese businessmen put Zane to the test, and protecting his privates becomes essential.
Puerto Rico: Zane learns about the birthplace/history of the Pina Colada; uncovers a “rum rivalry” between Don Q and Bacardi; and allows two bartenders to put him to a 151-proof challenge. Survival is questionable.
Louisville, KY, USA (the Bourbon Belt): Bourbon Bistro in Louisville features over 150 different types of Bourbon and which should Zane try? Zane probably tries too many, eventually bares it all, streaking down Main Street. Welcome home, Zane!
“If you buy someone a drink, you are no longer strangers,” says Lamprey. “It breaks the ice socially; people relax and open up. Flying around the world and partying for Three Sheets was an incredible experience. I found that people in diverse cultures of the world have more in common than you think. Once you enter a pub or bar, whether in Taipei or Kentucky, the atmosphere is conducive for people to be more familiar and have fun…I love my job!”
Three Sheets is produced by Screaming Flea Productions. Executive Producers are Matt Chan and Mike Kelly. Field Producer is Christina Kindwall. For INHD/MOJO, Executive Producer is Emilio Nunez and Supervising Producer is Siobhan Graham.
What is MOJO?
Three Sheets is part of INHD's new prime time programming called MOJO, with all new original high-def productions made exclusively for the HD audience. MOJO’s inherent intelligence, wit and flair for style can be found in shows on cuisine and spirits, high tech, finance, comedy and adventurous travel.
About INHD (www.inhd.com) INHD is a pioneer in the field of hi-def television and is among the most widely distributed HD networks on cable. Launched when the HD market was in its infancy, it has consistently earned high marks from HD viewers for presenting programming with the pristine quality of a 1080i picture and Dolby 5.1 sound and already ranks among HD viewers’ favorite hi-def networks. Besides the MOJO prime time, other programming on INHD includes high profile professional and college sports, movies, music and big events. INHD and is available as part of the hi-definition offerings from such cable operators as Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox Communications, Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Mediacom and Patriot. INHD is owned by iN DEMAND Networks, whose shareholders are Comcast iN DEMAND Holdings, Inc., Cox Communications Holdings, Inc., and Time Warner Entertainment - Advance/Newhouse Partnership.
Contact: Jbehan@indemand.com