Island of the utilitarians

I know you’re already talking about: Jeremy Bentham.

Because when “Lost” resumes, that’s sure as heck the first question I want answered: What does the 18th century English philosopher have to do with Locke and the island? A big shot-in-the-dark hint: Back in the day, Bentham drummed up the idea of a panopticon, a type of prison in which a guard might be able to watch all the prisoners without them being able to tell whether or not they’re being watched. Locke as Big Brother, anyone? (Wednesday)

--

Get ready to talk about: a new kind of Animal Collective.

The experimental pop group has tinkered with the idea of “melody” before, but its latest album, “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” dives right in. Which means when the AC tour stops this week at the Music Box at the Fonda and the Troubadour (Friday and Saturday, respectively), you might be able to dance along. Or at least sway more aggressively.(Tuesday)

--

There’s never a bad time to talk about: Ricky Gervais.

The 47-year-old British comedian with “a pug-nosed face” gets his own “Inside the Actors Studio” treatment on Bravo. With any luck, it will persuade you to rent the underrated gem “Ghost Town.” And, like his too-short appearance on the Golden Globes, it should also remind you what a crime it is that Gervais is not hosting this year’s Oscars. (Monday)

--

If “The Drowsy Chaperone” was your cup of tea, you’ll probably want to talk about: “Minsky’s.”

Coming to the Ahmanson from the creative team behind “Chaperone” and the composer of “Annie,” “Minsky’s” is a musical romantic comedy inspired by the real-life scandal surrounding a woman accidentally exposing her chest on stage in Prohibition-era New York City. Burlesque! Legs! Laughs! Kind of weird having just seen “Spring Awakening” in the same theater. (Opens Wednesday)

-- Denise Martin