TV
Was it really only 8 months ago that David Cook was crowned King of the World, or, at least, American Idol 2008? It was, and now a whole new crop of hopefuls, from the divine to the desperate, will blast into the spotlight when the new season of "American Idol" begins. New this year: Fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, 36 instead of 24 semifinalists, the return of the wild-card round, and no Thursday episodes. And, of course, endless rumors about whether or not Paula Abdul is leaving the show. (Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Fox)
"Flight of the Conchords" focuses on Jermaine and Bret, members of a hapless New Zealand musical duo, and their bumbling manager, Murray, as the band fights to acquire an American fanbase. The band may still be struggling, but the hilarious show has found a loyal audience and critical acclaim. The Detroit Free Press called it "TV's most original and irresistible new comic concoction." Season two takes flight this week. (Jan. 18, 10 p.m., HBO)DVDIt's been a while since a good Western rode onto America's movie screens. "Appaloosa" may not be the best cowboy picture you ever saw, but this Ed Harris-Viggo Mortensen flick is an entertaining shoot-em-up that drew mostly positive reviews from critics. Critic Roger Ebert corrected those who'd call it a buddy movie, saying the two men know each other too well to be buddies. Instead they're friends, wrote Ebert, "two men who have seen a lot together and wish they had seen less." (Out on DVD Jan. 13)
It took 11 years to shoot "Patti Smith: Dream of Life," and the L.A. Times reports that it "drifts and floats" between the different periods and experiences of the poet and rocker's life. That seems a fitting way to talk about Smith, who herself says "life isn't some vertical or horizontal line." The film may not have made it to your theaters, but Smith fans can now catch up. (Out on DVD Jan. 13)
Movies
The new biopic “Notorious” tells the story of Biggie Smalls’ (a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G.)transformation from small-time drug dealer to rap star. Derek Luke plays Smalls’ mentor Sean Combs, while Anthony Mackie plays his West Coast rival, Tupac Shakur. (Smalls himself is played by newcomer Jamal Woolard.) Smalls’ murder is still unsolved — it will be interesting to see if this movie poses any theories. (Opens Jan. 16)
Bollywood comes to Hollywood with “Chandi Chowk to China.” This story of a cook who’s mistaken for the reincarnation of an ancient peasant warrior combines comedy, action and of course, some pretty incredible Bollywood dance scenes. And, as in all Bollywood films, the woman are astonishingly beautiful. (Opens Jan 16)
MusicAnimal Collective returns with its ninth full-length CD, “Merriweather Post Pavillion,” which promises to combine the band’s unique version of psych folk with whatever interesting sound samples and ambient noise the members have happened across. (On sale Jan 13)
Maybe you don’t know the name Heather Hadley, but the woman definitely has the pipes. She won a Tony Award for her work in “The Lion King” and even once performed “Your Song” for Elton John at the Kennedy Center honors in 2004. Her latest album, “Audience of One” offers up gospel-flavored R&B. (On sale Jan. 13)