Welcome to this week’s On the Radar where we delve into all corners of the entertainment, tech and geek Internets for news, views and whatnot that may have escaped our regular coverage this week. Let is know if we missed something interesting. Otherwise, on to the links!

• A comprehensive breakdown of what Republicans and Democrats watch has hit the web. Wait, democrats watch 30 Rock and Republicans watch Dancing With The Stars? Who Knew?!

• In case you missed it, and aren’t a big fan of sleep, here’s the Planters commercial starring Robert Downey Jr.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger in Phantom Menace? According to this list of bootleg DVD box art, that’s just the least amazing of the bunch.

• Love The Walking Dead? Then you’ll definitely love this new weekly recap show all about the show.

• Thanksgiving may be just around the corner, but it’s time to start picking out some great gifts, with a little help from the coolest gadget holiday gift guide we’ve seen yet.

• If you’re one of the few that weren’t blown away by Cameron’s Avatar, maybe you should try it drunk. Here’s an Avatar drinking game to help you get there.

• Why not some tunes for your weekly list fix? Here’s a list of 10 kick-ass cover songs. Sadly, Foo Fighter’s “Darling Nikki” didn’t make it on the list.

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On Friday, Activision brought news of the latest installment to their smash music genre series Guitar Hero with Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Instead of just being the traditional formula of playing through various setlists with no context or story behind it, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock looks to redefine the style of the genre using Quest mode. In addition, the game will feature an all knew “rock inspired” guitar controller, the largest on disc collection of any Guitar Hero game to date and an all new Quickplay+ mode as well.

David Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Guitar Hero said, “Guitar Hero has set the standard for music based gaming and with Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock’s all-new Quest Mode, robust and authentic set list, over-the-top challenges and rock-inspired new hardware, we are once again bringing the soul and energy of rock n’ roll to fans around the world.”

In Quest Mode, players will use eight Guitar Hero characters in any combination of instruments to help the Demi-God of Rock take down “The Beast” and save rock n’ roll. With “venues” ranging from the punk rock palace of CBGB’s in New York City to mythical lava fields, the game looks to have a fantasy motif under it somewhat similar to that of Brutal Legend. As seen in the trailer below, the game will put lots of focus on these eight characters and the respective beasts they become.

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Back in Guitar Hero 3, video game developer Activision began including various well known guitarists, both living and passed on, as unlockable characters within the franchise. In the series’ most recent iteration, Guitar Hero 5, which was just released on September 1st, deceased rock legends Johnny Cash and Kurt Cobain were including alongside living rockers Carlos Santana, Shirley Manson, and Matt Bellamy. Now while those still with us had complete control over their likeness being used in the game, Cash and Cobain’s legacies, both real life and digital, are in control of their respective estates.

Tabloid darling Courtney Love was left in control of Cobain’s estate and with that came his digital likeness. Recently, someone brought to Courtney’s attention this video that has been floating around YouTube of her deceased husband in what she and others consider a less than flattering light singing and dancing in the roles of various other musicians like Bon Jovi and Public Enemy.

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As video games where you play imaginary instruments in a virtual band continue to gain in popularity, so will the bands that join in the fun and become part of the gaming experience. One such band is the legendary Van Halen, which are joining forces with Activision and their Guitar Hero game to become, you guessed it, Guitar Hero: Van Halen. And we’ve got a brand new video highlighting this partnership for you right here.

In the video, which tells you to “rock out to the biggest hits from one of the most legendary bands of all time” we see and hear your favorite Van Halen songs played by pretty decent likenesses of David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen and David Lee Roth. The game will feature 25 of the band’s hit songs and 3 “signature Eddie Van Halen guitar solos” for you to try and keep up with. Plus, music from a bunch of other bands like Blink 182, Queen, The Offspring, Foo Fighters and more. All in all a pretty cool package.

Seeing as how Eddie Van Halen is regarded as one of the greatest guitar players in the world, it makes sense that the band would decide to join forces and appear in Guitar Hero. After all, Eddie was probably one of the inspirations for the game in the first place. Guitar Hero: Van Halen hits store shelves later this year. Meantime, check out the trailer for the game after the jump.

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