Back in 1993 Sam Kieth joined Image with a nifty book called The Maxx. Somehow that led to a really solid Animated adaption that debuted on MTV two years later (in 1995).The Maxx was really ahead of its time. I regard it as one of the first successful attempts at doing an American Anime. I'm super disappointed I never picked up a VHS copy of the series. Why isn't there an official DVD version?!

MTV'S ROOM 401 is attempting to fill the TV void left by SCARE TACTICS. Yeah, the host is pretty lame...but the premises of the first 2 episodes have been rock solid. I just wish they'd reveal how these neat tricks are pulled off. Here's my favorite from the first episode:

I hesitated to post about this show...but, what the hell! I HATE American Idol. I refuse to watch that piece of crap with all it's sappy wannabe singers with no sense of taste or artistry. But I LOVE it's bastard child: So You Think You Can Dance.The third season is in it's 4th or 5th week and it continues to amaze. Here's the beautiful piece Hok & Jaimie did last night. It's choreographed by dancing genius WADE ROBSON. Words can do this number no service.Man, I never realized how much I love the art of dance. There's a purity to conveying emotion through movement. It's visceral, sexual, cathartic, religious...a really powerful art form when done right.

JOHN FROM CINCINNATI, on HBO. Don't miss it. I've never seen something like that. You can download the first episode here.

Muttpop Bob got me hooked on this show...

I promised some more on Jorge R. Gutierrez. Here it is. Jorge R. Gutierrez is an awesome artist and animator from Mexico. He has an awesome WEBSITE with a wonderful sampling of his art and animation. It hasn't been updated in a LONG time, but what is on there is wonderful. These days, Gutierrez is working on the Nickelodeon animated series EL TIGRE: THE ADVENTURES OF MANNY RIVERA. I originally discovered his work from his EL MACHO Flash Animation shorts he did for Sony's failed Screenblast website back in 2001. Be sure to check out the El Macho link for all 5 El Macho webisodes. Enjoy!