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Greg Fitzsimmons did a great set on last night's "Lopez Tonight" which you should definitely watch. Comedians who podcast are about to appear all over your TV set - check it out in our write-up.
Tonight NBC is unveiling its 3 hour block of comedy, breaking, as NPR put it, that "unspoken rule of broadcast television, thou shalt not program comedy after 10pm." Since we think NBC Thursday night comedies are some of the best things since sliced bread, we're going to give it a try. We're even going to try out "Perfect Couples" (8:30pm), because, well, we really like Mary Elizabeth Ellis of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" fame, and Olivia Munn, more for her days at "Attack of the Show" than "The Daily Show," but who's counting. The challenge for "Perfect Couples" is to fully leverage its cast and to differentiate itself from what will be a wave of Cute&Funny couples comedies over the next couple months. If they've let the cast flex their muscles then they will have a successful first season, if not...
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When [Comedy/Podcasting] Worlds Collide: Greg Fitzsimmons, who recorded us on his podcast last weekend, did an amazingly killer set on "Lopez Tonight" last night -check it out here [must-watch]. Fitzsimmons was on Marc Maron's WTF podcast just last week (listen here) and tonight Marc Maron will be on "Conan." Greg Proops, whose (excellent) live podcast I attended last week (listen here) was counted by The Hollywood Reporter TV critic (and friend) Tim Goodman as a forerunner for replacing Regis Philben on "Live! With Regis And Kelly" pending his retirement - a move that would finally make that show worth watching. And, in summary, it should be noted that Greg Fitzsimmons, Marc Maron, and Bill Burr (a frequent interview subject whose podcast we've often highlighted here) all have TV shows that are actively in development and/or have even shot a pilot. 2011 could be a great year for all of these great producers of comedy and for us viewers.---
Please check out our interview with Fred Armisen, of "SNL" fame, who discusses his new show "Portlandia," which premieres tomorrow night on IFC at 10:30pm. Armisen is also on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" tonight.
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Also on tonight are the premieres of "Royal Pains" on USA at 9pm (look for our interview with Henry Winkler) and "Fairly Legal" on USA at 10pm which stars the unbelievably gorgeous Sarah Shahi (who we didn't get to speak with but we will someday, hopefully, or at least we can dream about it).
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The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan: "Community," "Perfect Couples," "The Office," "Parks & Recreation," "30 Rock," Conan (Marc Maron; Aloe Blacc), Fallon (Ashton Kutcher, Fred Armisen, Dismemberment Plan)
8:00pm Community NBC - The group members debate whether to add Annie's crush, who recently enrolled at Greendale, or Senor Chang to the group; Shirley's ex-husband (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) comes back into the picture, and she has big news for everyone.
8:00pm The Big Bang Theory CBS - Bernadette runs into her ex-boyfriend (Rick Fox) while attending a science event with Wolowitz.
8:30pm Perfect Couples NBC - Series Premiere
8:30pm $..! My Dad Says CBS - After receiving complaints about the height of the corn in his garden, Ed decides to run for president of the homeowners association; Vince's celebrity crush propositions him.
9:00pm The Office NBC - Michael readies himself for the news about Holly's relationship; Pam puts up a board for everyone to post their New Year's resolutions.
9:00pm Royal Pains USA - Mid-season Premiere
9:30pm Parks & Recreation NBC - Season Premiere. Leslie asks Ann to help her convince Chris and Ben to give the parks department more money; Ron and Andy coach basketball; April makes an announcement.
10:00pm Fairly Legal USA - Series Premiere
10:00pm 30 Rock NBC - Budget cuts impact the TGS staff; Liz tries to use Jack's mistake to her advantage; Jenna shares a dressing room with Danny; Tracy receives disturbing news.
11:00pm Conan TBS - Marc Maron; Aloe Blacc performs.
11:00pm Chelsea Lately E! - Actor Matt LeBlanc.
11:30pm The Colbert Report Comedy Central - Chris Matthews guests
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actress Kaley Cuoco; TV host Piers Morgan; Wanda Jackson and Jack White perform.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Actor Ben Affleck; The Decemberists perform.
12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - Actor Ryan Gosling; reality TV personalities Kourtney and Kim Kardashian; chef Mario Batali; Ra Ra Riot performs.
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Actress Maria Bello; biologist Dan Riskin.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Actor Ashton Kutcher; actor Fred Armisen; Dismemberment Plan performs.
