Give up an hour for 'The Hour'

BBC America has just started a terrific weekly series called "The Hour" that's a good as anything I've seen recently on free or paid TV. 

"The Hour" is centered around the launch of an hourlong news show on BBC in the mid-1950s. Swirling in and around that subject are plotlines that include spies, mysterious deaths and Britain's legendary focus on class. 

Stars include "The Wire" veteran Dominic West, whose British accent is natural here -- his streetwise Baltimore cop in "The Wire" was where he had to twist his voice. Like "The Wire," this is a strong ensemble cast with a fast-paced script. This is not a show for multitaskers. 

The series is only three episodes deep in the States so there's time to dive in while the early episodes remain in rotation. 

Help fund 'Linotype: The Film'

"Linotype: The Film" Official Trailer from Linotype: The Film on Vimeo.

"Linotype: The Film" looks like a cool story about hardcore folks working to preserve an important part of our publishing history. 

It's fun to see at least three generations involved in this salvage operation. 

The film backers are using Kickstarter to raise money for the film project. Donations from 271 people help them surpassed their initial $20,000 goal. But they're using the eight days left in the Kickstarter window to accept more donations to make the project that much more polished.

Is Steve Jobs the most influential person in music?

John Schaefer, host of "Soundcheck" and the most well-versed music afficionado I know of, stirred up trouble by suggesting Apple genius Steve Jobs is the most influential person in music over the past 25 years, if not ever.

That's a pretty strong statement, and Schaefer, not afraid of a challenge, gets pushback in today's episode of WNYC's "Soundcheck Smackdown."

As with most things on "Soundcheck," this debate is well worth a listen, regardless of which side of the fence you're on.