Video killed the radio star, and tonight, with Armond White's help, it will kill filmgoing (Photo: Michael Lavine)

I do not know how or why these things could happen, but some programmer at the Scanners New York Video Festival broke loose and signed up the NY Press' resident histrionic Armond White to lecture on music videos tonight.

White's "Music to My Eyes" does not just address any music videos, natch, but… well, here—I should let someone else describe it:

Collaborations between video artists and musicians can provide new ways of seeing and hearing pop. This year Armond White's [sic] selects current works distinguished by this doubled interest. These videos show how the sensibilities of visual and musical artists compete and compliment each other to create memorable, innovative narratives. From Jay-Z and Mark Romanek to Spike Jonze and Ludacris to Kate Bush and Joseph Kahn come some of the most original contemporary iconography. White promises, "Each video demonstrates aesthetics and politics, art and soul can co-exist." He will be on hand to explain how.

Note again White's allegiance to superlatives ("most original contemporary zzzzzzzzzzzzz") and the grave integrity of his "promise." I encourage anyone courageous enough to attend to report back to The Reeler with a full assessment, but be warned: Plastic coverings are recommended for guests in the first four rows, just in case White enjoys one of his typically, um, explosive reactions to whatever he decides to screen.