This week, MTV will introduce Virtual Laguna Beach, an online service in which fans of the program can immerse themselves — or at least can immerse digitized, three-dimensional characters, called avatars, that they control — in virtual versions of the show’s familiar seaside hangouts.

You can register here (line forms behind me).

Take note, dan: One of the next virtual destinations will be through Logo. I wonder what Jake Gyllenhall will name his avatar?

I've been trying to concoct a way to force my musical tastes on the TiFaux readership for a while now.  And I think I've found a way to justify it.

Hear me out. 

MTV hasn't been about music videos since we were 12. This isn't news.  Ever since The Real World launched the reality genre, the station has slowly evolved from true Music Television to a slutty teenage monstrosity that yields such gems as Next and Date My Mom.  Now I get as much perverse pleasure out of all that crap as the next guy, but there's still a void as far as music goes.  Maybe if you catch it first thing in the morning you can see a Nelly Furtado video or something. 

And the videos they do show on TRL are, well, you know… They have their place, but not really for anyone who isn't filling out college applications.

MTV2 used to be a safe haven for music videos that were somewhere left of the mainstream.  It wasn't a hipster oasis — all Arcade Fire and whatnot — but it at least maintained a Hot Topic level of alternative.  And that was good enough for me.

Elsewhere, the country music people seem to be fairly well taken care of by CMT because there are always music videos when I flip past it. (By the way, country music people, has Carrie Underwood really become a real singer? I mean, I watched that season of American Idol [I know, I know -- shut up] and the girl seems to be sweet as pie, but just as smart.) And VH1 seems to have carved out its own niche with comedians doing list of the 101 Most Revolting Rhinoplasties and having c-list fatties doing crunches for prizes.

The point is this, there are a lot of music videos being made and I have no idea who is watching them.  Now, I know I'm not going to singlehandedly fill the void of music television, but I thought I'd share some good music videos when I see them.  Because you're sure as hell not going to see them between reruns of True Life: I Want A Famous Face.

The first one I want to point out is by a band called The Thermals.  Their new album is full of political statements through religious imagery.  And set to punk rock.  Good stuff and the video is one of those videos that makes the song more fun to listen to, what with the quick editing and bright white scenery.

I'll admit, they do a bit of the "let's film the band in an enclosed space, but in a bunch of wacky costumes" thing, but it's easy enough to forgive since the song's so good.