10 TV Shows with Great Music

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5. Friday Night Lights (NBC)
Music supervisor: Liza Richardson
Recent artists: Ida Maria, Steve Earle, Jay Reatard, Mastodon, Heartless Bastards, Explosions in the Sky, White Rabbits, Peter Case, A.A. Bondy

The former music supervisor for Melrose Place and Lie to Me and Life is keeping busy curating some of the best music on TV.

4. Music on Gossip Girl (CW)
Music supervisor: Alexandra Patsavas
Recent artists: The Jesus & Mary Chain, Thao, Crooked Fingers, Band of Horses, Beach House, Cold War Kids, Grizzly Bear, Holly Miranda, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, White Rabbits, The National, Vampire Weekend, Monsters of Folk, The XX, Jay-Z, M83, Imogen Heap, Passion Pit

Working on The O.C., Patsavas introduced indie rock to prime time and raised the profile of music supervisors. She’s now one of the busiest in Hollywood with a portfolio that includes Grey’s Anatomy, Numb3rs, Mad Men, Private Practice, and Supernatural, where she gets to exercise her classic rock muscles.

3. Music on Parenthood (NBC)
Music supervisor: Liza Richardson
Recent artists: Iron & Wine, Pearl Jam, José González, Wilco, Josh Rouse, Devendra Banhart, Raphael Saadiq, Spoon, Monsters of Folk, Alexi Murdoch, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Conor Oberst, Monsters of Folk

That list of artists above represents just the last three episodes of NBC’s rookie family dramedy.

2. Music on Chuck (NBC)
Music supervisor: Alexandra Patsavas
Recent artists: Vampire Weekend, Nina Simone, Frightened Rabbit, Dawes, Spoon, Imogen Heap, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Gaslight Anthem, The Antlers, The Clash

With theme music from Cake, each episode of Chuck plays like the Best of What’s Next. More TV shows and movies should use Frightened Rabbit.

1. Music on Treme (HBO)
Music supervisor: Blake Leyh
Recent artists: Rebirth Brass Band, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Kermit Ruffins, The Iguanas

Leyh originally worked with David Simon on The Wire and the Harlem-based musician has dug deep into New Orleans for a show where music is the star.