Ben Folds: Singer, Songwriter, TV Judge?

First, a shout out to Nick, my fellow Ben Folds fan. Ben's been classing up NBC this week. Have you seen him?

The best reason to watch the newest talent show The Sing Off is the multi-talented Mr. Folds, my all-time favorite piano rocker and now my favorite TV panelist. His judging flows as whimsically from his distinct musical perspective as does his catalog of personal, ironic and sometimes twisted songs. He instantly elevates a program that would otherwise be just another forgettable singing competition.

You can catch up with missed episodes at Hulu and enjoy his music videos on YouTube.

Here is a sampling of the many moods of Ben Folds, which are often sweetened with a bowl of sugar spiked with salt.

Vengeful: One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces.



Self-effacing: Army.



Bitter and bilingual: Song for the Dumped.



Mockingly envious: Battle of Who Could Care Less.



Mocking his southern heritage: Your Redneck Past.



Wistful and wishful: Where's Summer B?



A romantic cynic: Fair.



A poetic romantic: The Luckiest.