MY SIX QUICK PICKS
(What I’m Endorsing This Week)

By JOHN YOUNGREN

1. “Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty” on Oxygen cable. I had my doubts about this little escapade, which just premiered this week. Still, I’m a longtime fan of the ever-sultry Ms. Doherty, dating back to her semi-misunderstood bad-girl antics on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” And, after watching back-to-back premiere episodes, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and sincerely amused. The title of the show should say it all, and the quirky premise is simple: Men and/or women involved in a relationship (but not liking where it’s heading) go to Shannen for help and advice. Her expertise aside, she agrees to jump in by confronting the significant other in question and issuing an ultimatum – it’s time to move the relationship along, one way or another. Though the title implies otherwise, it’s not all about breaking up. In the first two episodes (each episode features two couples and their stories), one couple even ended up getting engaged. Despite her sometimes bitchy reputation, Shannen is perfectly appealing throughout; the actress (who is also a co-creator and producer of the show) hasn’t looked this hot since her days as the oldest witch on “Charmed.” Best of all, she seems to be getting a genuine kick out of meeting these Average Janes and Joes and helping them assess their situations – she even sprinkles in references to her own checkered romantic past. If the “Pun’k’d”-style antics (it takes some doing to get Shannen in the room with an unsuspecting victim while his or her significant other hides behind the glass) seem a bit contrived, the show makes up for it by, er, charmingly revealing how many of these people seem to go gaga over Shannen: In fact, she got hit on by the men being dumped in two of the first four instances. Where do I sign up for some of that shit? Shannen, count me in. The Dotted Line: •••

2. Fox’s Joe Buck. He may be the best play-by-play announcer of my generation, so distinguished – so cool, so dry, so funny, so knowledgeable – is Joe Buck of Fox. And this fall, the network made a momentous decision: With the departure of ace host James Brown from Fox’s NFL pre-game show, the network has decided to elevate Buck to Brown’s position, alongside Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. Big deal? Well, Fox is also leaving Buck in his lead NFL play-by-play position, with Troy Aikman. Meaning, in a nutshell, that the Fox pre-game show is going on the road, giving Joe a chance to host the pre-game hour each Sunday before bouncing upstairs to call the big game of the week. Not only is it creative and innovative on Fox’s part, but no one deserves it more – and Fox deserves credit for staking its claim – than Buck. The son of legendary sportscaster Jack “This Ball May Go!” Buck, Joe Buck is largely associated with St. Louis Cardinals baseball and the tradition of that city. But, like NBC’s Bob Costas (ironically, the host of NBC’S new “Sunday Night Football”), Joe Buck is both a throwback to the announcers of a more innocent time (who respected the sports they were covering) and the best example of the modern sportscaster – witty, literate and engaged beyond the strikes and balls he calls. Buck also isn’t afraid to laugh at himself: Witness his Holiday Inn commercials, running right now. The best? When a goofy fan tries to “do” his Joe Buck impression while waiting for an elevator as Buck stares on. Priceless.

3. Gin Blossoms, “Major Lodge Victory” CD. With their mellow harmonies, pop hooks and smart guitars, the Gin Blossoms were never a smash act – but they did contribute to the background sound of the early-to-mid ‘90s, producing two standout albums (“New Miserable Experience” and “Congratulations I’m Sorry”) amid a host of movie soundtrack covers and other one-shot highlights. Never hitting the mammoth (but short-lived) success of Hootie & The Blowfish or the literate pop acceptability (and durability) of Counting Crows, the Gin Blossoms nevertheless help define that era for me, and their painful-lyrics-but-poppy-music approach remains a constant on my personal CD mixes and iPOD smart lists. “Alison Road,” “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You” are among highlights of the era, sparked by Robin Wilson’s soaring vocals and the band’s easy accessibility. Needless to say, things were never as good off-microphone as they were on for the Blossoms, who more or less broke up by 1997, just a few years after the suicide of founding member Doug Hopkins, whose guitars defined the band’s early sound and who wrote many of the group’s early hits (including “Jealousy”). And all that’s a long paragraph of background to get to the fact that the reformed Blossoms are recording again, and their new CD – “Major Lodge Victory” – came out a couple of weeks ago. Despite Hopkins’ absence (and without drummer Phillip Rhodes), the Gin Blossoms have created a gem of a pop album, rich in character and sound and easily comparing to their top albums of the ‘90s. While the first single off the new album, “Learning The Hard Way,” is getting some airplay, there are further delights to be found – as is the Blossoms’ wont – in a few of the album tracks, including “Someday Soon,” “Long Time Gone” and the precious “Let’s Play Two.” Wilson’s vocals, in particular, have never sounded better, more nuanced or more confident. “Major Lodge Victory” is a thrilling return to the form of – what? – 10 or 15 years ago now. God. Has it really been that fucking long? How old am I? The Dotted Line: •••-1/2

4. Veronica Mars, Season 2 on DVD. It just came out this week, and the 22-episode season 2 set of “Mars” on DVD proves to be, if anything, better than the series’ intoxicating first season. Star Kristen Bell – one of the most talented actresses going on television today – is at the center of the “Mars’” mix of teen angst and “Encyclopedia Brown” mystery, geared as it is this season on the mysterious death of a group of students in a school bus crash. The plotting might be cumbersome at times, but Bell’s talents – her appealing look and fresh-faced fashion is only offset by her dry line readings and humorous charm – carry the weight for the most part. “Veronica Mars,” a UPN entry often compared to the better days of “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer,” is going to be a stalwart of the new CW network this fall. So time is short to catch up on the mysteries and characterizations (not to mention Bell’s embodiment) of Mars in this appealing second season set. The Dotted Line: ••••

5. “That’s How They Do It In Dixie,” song and CD by Hank Williams, Jr. with pals Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Van Zant.

So sing along:

Cutoff jeans, and cowboy boots
Long blonde hair and dark brown roots
Lord, pinch me
That’s how they do it in Dixie

Hank Jr. hits the high notes on this new single, a highlight of his new “essential collection.” For some reason (adding to the fun, but not really necessary given the subject matter), he’s got Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Van Zant involved. This makes the video one to remember, but then again – you can probably guess what the video looks like. Yes, there’s one or two or 301 young women in cutoff jeans and cowboy boots. They also happen to be extremely hot. And yes Lord, pinch me. (And if I ever find one of those women with long blonde hair and dark brown roots, I’ll sign her up for my own little rodeo, if you know what I mean.) But that’s what makes this thing so much fun – nobody’s pretending; it’s just a good time, especially when Gretchen comes strutting out and the rest of the girls show off their “belly button dangles and 20-minute tans.” Again – did you get the memo? – pinch me, for God’s sake. That’s how they fucking do it in Dixie. Need we say more? The Dotted Line: ••••

6. Meridian 2005 Chardonnay (prices range from $7.95-$12.95 per bottle, depending upon sales). You’ve read about it before – and my favorite summer Chardonnay, the pride of Santa Barbara County, is hotter than ever, with a newly designed label and a fresh new look. But no matter the price or the logo, Meridian’s patented taste is in tact – slightly on the fruity side, very low in terms of butter and/or oak, and a tangy aftertaste that makes it go down smooth (the colder the better), especially on a hot summer night (with a cigar in the other hand). Lather. Rinse. Repeat. The Dotted Line: ••••

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ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com