File this under "Sentences I never imagined writing".

Holden Thorp is a mediocre dancer but a pretty good zombie.

The UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor took a couple steps outside the old comfort zone Monday, gamely taking part in a student re-enactment of the Michael Jackson "Thriller" video. You know, the one with the ghouls and zombies.

Thorp was flanked by his wife Patti on one side and by Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt on the other.

 (Tar Heel basketball coach Roy Williams, standing nearby, could not be coaxed into participating.)

They joined about 30 students in trying to create some buzz for the Eve Ball, a Nov. 5 fundraiser for the scholarship named for Eve Carson, the student body president shot and killed in March 2008.

I could go on and on about the chancellor's jaunty toe stepping, shoulder shrugging and hip swiveling, but really, you should see it for yourself. Have a look below or at this link.

Friday Night Lights (8pm, NBC) - Coach Taylor realizes his East Dillon squad has problems both on and off the field. Also, Luke's injury worsens and Riggins makes a life decision that could backfire.

Whale Wars (9pm, Animal Planet) - It hasn't been a great week for whales, so it's comforting to know someone out there is fighting for them. In tonight's installment, the Sea Shepherds use their stealth boat the Ady Gil to ambush a Japanese reconnaissance vessel. Get 'em!

Merlin (10pm, Syfy) - In an effort to end Uther's reign, the sorcerer Morgause revives the formidable Knights of Medhir and convinces her half sister Morgana to cast a sleeping spell on the people of Camelot.

Miami  Medical (10pm, CBS) - A construction worker becomes trapped underground when a giant sinkhole opens, and Serena has an unexpected encounter with Dr. Kaye.

There are also a ton of Michael Jackson programs on tonight, marking the first anniversary of his death, including special editions of "20/20" and "Dateline." Read the full schedule here.

There will be no shortage of television specials to mark Friday's first anniversary of the sudden tragic death of pop king Michael Jackson. Nearly every channel has something to offer, starting Thursday and continuing all weekend. Here's what we've seen so far and we'll update if there's more. The "Bubbles" special on Animal Planet looks like it can't miss.

ABC
“20/20: Michael Jackson, After Life ” (Friday, 9pm)

Animal Planet
 “Michael Jackson & Bubbles: The Untold Story” (Friday, midnight)

BET
“Michael Jackson: Our Icon” (Saturday, 1:30 am)
“The Jacksons: An American Dream” (Thursday, 1 pm)
 “Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Michael Jackson” (Saturday, 1 am)
“Michael Jackson: Life of a Superstar” (Friday, 1 pm)
“Inside the Michael Jackson Mansion: Never Can Say Goodbye” (Friday, 2 pm)
“Michael Jackson History: The King of Pop” (Friday, 8 pm)

There's been some hate surrounding "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" (A&E, 9 tonight), and that's a shame.

Yes, it's true Michael was the the star of The Jackson 5/Jacksons, but the brothers aren't hacks.

They could all sing and dance and write; Jermaine was big enough, at one point, to be paired with Whitney Houston to help launch her career.

They just happened to have a brother who was extraordinary.

Pop stars are never more present than immediately after their deaths, and Exhibit A is Michael Jackson -- whose posthumous concert movie, "This Is It," arrives today in the Triangle. There's a long and storied tradition of such artifacts, too. For more, see the story in Wednesday's paper.

Once again, the WarmTV bloggers elected (begged) my mom to be our Dancing with the Stars correspondent. After each show, she calls me with her report...

Last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars" proved once again that
the show is just as much a popularity contest as it is a real dancing contest. How else can you explain the dancers in the bottom group, much less the dancer who so undeservedly went home? But hey, that's what you get when you let America vote. We end up with the dancer we deserve. 

But despite the crushing  disappointment of the elimination, my mom thought it was a great episode. 

...So unless you've got a sincere pumpkin patch onhand, you'd better get busy planning your light display for that night's festivities. This dude has a big jump on the season (resolution isn't the best, but watch in full-screen mode and you'll get the idea).

(Found via Pop Candy).

Courtesy of youtube, here's a snippet from the N.C. Central University marching band's recent tribute to Michael Jackson.

They performed during the Duke/NCCU football game Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham.

One of the consequences of Michael Jackson's death is that his family has regained the spotlight, and like a lot of us, Michael has some crazy folk in his family.

Which brings us to LaToya Jackson.

But before we go there, last night's Video Music Awards on MTV opened with a tribute to the King of Pop, with Janet Jackson. (Kanye West: rude jerk. Beyonce: class act.)

MTV Video Music Awards (9pm, MTV) - Controversial British comedian Russell Brand (left) returns to host the 26th annual VMAs, which has Janet Jackson opening with a tribute to her brother Michael Jackson. Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Green Day and Pink are among scheduled performers. Beyonce and Lady Gaga have tons of nominations. 

True Blood (9pm, HBO) - It's the second season finale and I can only hope for the sake of the show that Maryann is destroyed or sent back to hell, or whatever it is you do with a dead maenad. She has Sookie involved in her big "sacrifice" ritual tonight, which is sure to be entertaining. Evan Rachel Wood is back as vampire queen Sophie-Anne, with strict instructions for Eric on how to handle Bill. We also get to see what fate awaits our favorite shape-shifter, Sam. They better not harm a hair on his nekkid little self.

Mad Men (10pm, AMC) -  Somehow, this show manages to top itself each week. Tonight, Don and Betty are called to the school over Sally's troubling behavior. Not sure what they expect after the way she was ignored while attempting to grieve over the sudden death of her grandfather. So it looks like it'll take state involvement to prompt Don and Betty to actually interact with their daughter in a way that goes beyond, "Go watch TV." Am I the only person seeing our budding ballerina-bartender as an estranged teenager living in a drug commune in California by 1972?