Val Kilmer's "Real Genius" Getting Rebooted

Today's news hurts my soul - NBC has optioned the '80s film Real Genius as a single camera TV comedy. Deadline reports

The project, which has received a script commitment plus penalty, hails from Sony TV, whose sibling label TriStar Pictures produced the movie; Adam Sandler’s Sony-based company Happy Madison; and 3 Arts Entertainment. 

Written by Workaholics co-executive producer Craig DiGregorio and David King (Parks And Recreation), Real Genius is a present-day reboot of the cult film, set as a workplace comedy. The show centers on the relationship between a rock star-like genius — the character Kilmer played in the movie — and a sheltered, naive co-worker. 

Real Genius is an 80s film that I love, and it's one that I've found a lot of folks missed. I've always felt that the popularity of War Games made this film possible. Val Kilmer is just about the only guy you'd know from it - he plays Chris Knight, a science rock star at a gifted student at a university. He mentors his young freshman roommate. Hijinks ensue. The CIA is involved. It's just a silly lovely piece of film that celebrates smarty pants kids. A workplace comedy? I guess NBC wants their own version of The Big Bang Theory because geeks are so hot right now. But you know what? A girl's got to have her standards.

Incidentally, I'd never seen the trailer before and it's hilariously bad. Enjoy!

First Listen: The Dead Milkmen, "Pretty Music For Pretty People"

The Dead Milkmen released a video of "Pretty Music For Pretty People" from the album of the same name.



What was the inspiration for "Pretty Music For Pretty People?"

"I was hanging out in a club with some friends one night, lamenting the fact that none of our favorite bands could get a scrap of media attention while outlets were pushing the most deplorable, banal, non-threatening, Brooklyn-based pop music onto the world. That's when one of my friends said 'I call that shit 'Pretty music for pretty people.'' I began to imagine an alternative reality – one where the Beatles had lost the war and the Velvet Underground had won, a world where Billy Joel could never get into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame but Kevorkian Death could."--Rodney Anonymous

Pretty Music For Pretty People will be released on October 7th.

Cover Song Of The Moment: Andrew Huang, "99 Red Balloons"

This magical dude performs "99 Red Balloons" on red balloons. For real!

Seven Questions In Heaven With BRAEVES

Today, we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with BRAEVES!

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
Derek: It's atmospheric indie pop that can make you move. We cover a wide range of styles and sounds without getting too far off base from the theme of the album. Drifting By Design features peppier songs like "Guest Of The Gun" that have the falsetto hooks, while "Souls In Transit" has more of an ethereal vibe. Overall there is a narrative to this record that is very sincere and personal to us and we hope that comes off in the music.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
Ryan: George Harrison, David Bowie, Sam Cooke.

Nick: Over the last decade I've been in differing stages, from casual obsession to meth-like addiction, with Bjork. Hearing the classical elements that I grew up studying, mixed with dance beats and pop production that I was enjoying outside of school together had a dramatic influence on the way I now approach my own song writing and production.

Derek: Paul McCartney, The Police, Radiohead, and Elliott Smith.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
Nick: Silverchair, Frogstomp.

Derek: Definitely Weezer's Pinkerton. I remember absolutely loving "Pink Triangle" and "Falling For you," so much so I had all the lyrics typed up on my AOL profile page. Either that or Chumbawamba.

Ryan: I wish I could answer this with complete assurance, but It was either Green Day's Dookie or Big Willie Style. The 90's was a magical time.

Seven Questions In Heaven With Mainland

Today, we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Mainland singer/guitarist Jordan Topf!

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
Our music brings together the bands of the late 70s New York punk and new wave music scenes mixed with nuanced pop songs.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
As a teenager, I loved songwriters like Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, bands like The Stooges, The Velvet Underground, etc. Nowadays I look to producers for influence such as Danger Mouse, Brian Eno, and Rick Rubin.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
The first record I ever bought was a white vinyl of Groupsex by Circle Jerks. I was going through a serious punk rock phase.

PREMIERE VIDEO: Night Club, "She Wants To Play With Fire"

Fresh on the heels of scoring Comedy Central's upcoming series Moonbeam City, Night Club is back with another track of '80s-synth-tinged awesomeness, "She Wants To Play With Fire." And we've got the premiere of the intense Tarantinoesque video!



Pretty kickass, right? And if you're lucky enough to be in Los Angeles, Night Club will be giving their fans a free performance on 9:00 PM on September 3rd at the Melody Lounge to celebrate the release of their upcoming EP, Black Leather Heart.

More Night Club: Official | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | iTunes

New Music Fridays: Jessie J, Ariana Grande, And Nicki Minaj, "Bang Bang"

New Music Fridays: Beach Day, "BFFs"

New Music Fridays: Gerard Way, "Action Cat"

New Music Fridays: Janelle Monae, "Electric Lady"