This week’s installment of the Late Nite Delight Awards brings you a double dose of everyone’s favorite are-they-related? are-they-married? are-they-related-and-married? duo: The White Stripes.

Although technically a music video, this clip does feature the band performing “The Denial Twist” on the Conan O’Brien show (and then eating dinner with the host afterwards). Directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, “Fell In Love With A Girl,” “The Hardest Button To Button”), this groundbreaking video is a reference to when the band performed for an unprecedented four straight days on the late night talk show back in 2003. Between all the distorted figures and funhouse-esque imagery (intended to simultaneously represent what it’s like to watch and be on television in one shot), watch for the replica Conan O’Brien head — which the duo actually presented to the host on the last night of their run.

Date: 6/18/2007
Artist: The White Stripes
Show: Late Night With Conan O’Brien
Synopsis: For those of you craving an actual, live late night talk show performance, I’ve got you covered, too. I hope you haven’t reached your quota of The White Stripes for today because it’s in your best interest to check out the duo playing an up-close-and-personal acoustic version of “Cause and Effect” (from its most recent release, Icky Thump) while sitting amongst Conan’s studio audience. Awkward? Awesome? Uncomfortable? Unparalleled? And what’s that guy in the blue-and-white striped shirt doing around the 2:12 mark? So many questions, Jack and Meg, so many questions.

Date: 9/14/2007
Artist: The Used
Show: Late Night With Conan O’Brien
Synopsis: Although a lot of people might dismiss this nominee simply because it features screamo-punk band The Used (even though the group’s first two albums were great; the last one, not so much. Lies For the Liars? Honestly?) this energetic performance of “Pretty Handsome Awkward” is still notable for its unique ending. If you don’t think you can endure 3:33 of their music, then just skip ahead to the 3/4 point and check out lead singer Bert McCracken’s majestic drum kit dive.

Sadly, the rest of my semester will be mostly devoted to finishing up final projects instead of attending potentially awesome shows in the Champaign-Urbana area (like Islands at the IMC this past Friday). Therefore, to satisfy those who demand a live performance fix, I bring you the Late Nite Delight Awards!

As you might have guessed from the title, these honors will be a celebration of those often-bland, frequently-awkward late night talk show performances that always end with the host walking over, shaking everyone’s hand and saying “Wow, that was really great!”

Even though this is usually a lie (I think Conan O’Brien secretly only likes The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players), sometimes this scripted one-liner hits the mark. And to prove it, here is the first nominee:

Date: 9/19/2007
Artist: Mute Math
Show: Jimmy Kimmel Live
Synopsis: Although the song’s name is “Typical” — this performance is definitely anything but. Watch how alternative rock band Mute Math amazingly re-creates its backwards music video in front of a live studio audience. (Or did they??)