As if I needed another reason to be jealous of English culture, the super-rad title sequence for the BBC’s forthcoming coverage of the 2008 Olympics – created by the men behind Gorillaz, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett – has appeared online. The two-minute animated clip features three characters (Monkey, Pigsy, & Sandy) from the duo’s recently-opened opera, Monkey: Journey To The West, who are serving as the faces of BBC Olympics coverage.

Don’t get me wrong - the five Fuwa are plenty adorable as far as Olympic Mascots go (my fave is Huanhuan!), but I’d definitely put my money on the outnumbered, monster-battling Monkey trio if the toon groups ever fought each other! Check out the clip below along with two tracks from Monkey: Journey To The West!

MP3s:
Monkey - “Heavenly Peach Banquet”
Monkey - “I Love Buddha”

VIDEO:

If you missed this year’s VH1 Rock Honors honoring The Who, I’m happy to report that the ceremony was a vast improvement on previous years! (Nickelback covering ZZ Top songs isn’t exactly what Hypeful considers Tivo-worthy…) You can now watch the full show online, which included ace performances from The Who (of course) and a gaggle of great bands covering the group’s hits. You can also bend an ear below to MP3s of what Roger Daltrey described as “the toughest bunch of opening acts we’ve ever had to follow.” (Definitely recommended are The Flaming Lips’ medley from Tommy and Tenacious D’s suprisingly straightforward performance of The Who’s most rarely heard hit, mid-70s lite-FM chestnut “Squeeze Box!”)

MP3s:
The Flaming Lips - “Medley From ‘Tommy’”
Incubus - “I Can’t Explain”
Pearl Jam - “Love, Reign O’Er Me”
Pearl Jam - “The Real Me”
Tenacious D - “Squeeze Box”

PREVIOUSLY:
Flaming Lips Rehearse For Who Tribute

Feist is set to guest-star on the 39th season premiere of Sesame Street on August 11th, where she’ll sing a re-worked version of her hit song/iPod jingle “1234.” Along with Pancake Mountain and
Yo Gabba Gabba!, it seems like kiddos have more TV options for getting an indie fix than adults! Anyhoo, check out the clip and song below!

MP3:
Feist - “1234 (Sesame Street Version)”

VIDEO:

This Saturday Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, the Flaming Lips, Incubus and Tenacious D will pay tribute to The Who at VH1’s annual Rock Honors event in Hell-Ay. Roger Daltrey recently revealed puppy-pushers The Flaming Lips are set to perform a Tommy medley (apropos considering Des McAnuff, the Tony Award-winning director of Tommy, is working with Wayne Coyne to turn Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots into a Broadway musical). Ahead of Saturday’s performance, you can check out the below video of The Lips getting their Who on!

VIDEO:

PREVIOUSLY:
The Flaming Lips Are Giving Away Puppies

On Funny Or Die, Will Ferrell has picked a local commercial by Oklahoma City’s very-own Mr. Spriggs BBQ as his favorite video of the week! Writing on his site, Ferrell says:

Why I love it:
Usually even a good commercial makes me think “Yeah, right. Of course you’re saying that. You wanna sell your thing.” This video makes me want to move to Oklahoma and eat Mr. Spriggs for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Taco Bell fourth meal. Enjoy the joy.

If you ever want to visit OKC, Will, consider this an open invitation - you’ve got a place to stay and the ribs are on me! Move over, Chris Brown - this commercial may be the hottest slow jam of the summer and it’s just begging for a remix! (Thanks to Heath for the heads up!)

MP3:
“Mr. Spriggs BBQ Slow Jam”

VIDEO: