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Tonight is the season premiere of HBO's "Bored To Death," a series created by the incredible writer and performer Jonathan Ames. I was very lucky to speak with Ames in Venice last year, gaining valuable insight from him on how he works on the show, a show that has the best comedic trio in the business: Ted Danson, Zach Galifianakis, and Jason Shwartzman (see the above clip). This is an artfully created show that refuses to stoop for that lowest common denominator laugh. I am so happy to see a third season and can only pray fervently for a fourth - this show is definitely the pick of the night.
Also premiering on HBO tonight is the new series, "Enlightened," starring Laura Dern whom I love. Primarily a film actor, I'm very eager to see what she brings to a series, what with the chance to truly expand a character beyond the 90 minutes allowed in a movie theater.
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Don't forget to check out the season premiere episode of The Long Shot podcast which features comedian Todd Barry who appeared several times on "Louie" this season. Very funny across the board, this podcast always has amazing guests, most of whom have a direct relation to comedy and/or TV.
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Who had the misfortune of watching Ben Stiller on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend? It was something like a nightmare Greenberg would have had. I'd like to know how much Stiller fought back resurrecting Zoolander from his cold and dark crypt - it should have taken a lot of convincing to trot out that one-joke wonder, if not, then I will have to come to the conclusion a lot of you came to many years ago: Ben Stiller's days as a comedic actor are long since expired. Did I laugh at the Hank Williams Jr. sketch? Yes, at that and a few other timely jokes but in general it was just one of those bad nights "SNL" has. I will keep watching though, as no one else is doing that kind of live comedy programing.
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Fox got what they wanted, a 2 season extension on the season and a 30+% pay cut for the voice actors. That must be the end of that show - there's no way that group of actors will stand to be disrespected that way again. I understand that the show has fallen in the ratings, and I can't even remember the last time I watched an episodes, but the fall is not due to the performance of those actors.
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The TV Junkie Plan: "2 Broke Girls" (because Rick Shapiro is guest-starring), "Bored To Death," "Enlightened," "Hawaii Five-0," "Chelsea Lately," "Late Show With David Letterman," "Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson"
8:00pm Dead of Night TCM - (1945) Summoned to an English estate, a man (Mervyn Johns) recalls it from his nightmare and there meets other guests (Michael Redgrave, Roland Culver) with nightmares.
8:30pm 2 Broke Girls CBS - And the Rich People Problems Caroline asks Max to help her break into her former townhouse to retrieve her much-needed night guard. Guest-starring Rick Shapiro!!!
9:00pm Bored to Death HBO - Season Premiere. The Blonde in the Woods Jonathan learns distressing familial news; George reunites with his daughter; Ray spends time with his son; Jonathan's case puts him in a precarious position.
9:00pm The War of 1812 PBS SoCal/KOCE - In June of 1812, the U.S. declares war on Great Britain.
9:00pm Conan TBS - Actor Ty Burrell; health expert Jillian Michaels; Ryan Adams performs.
9:30pm Elightened HBO - Series Premiere. A corporate employee starts a new life after having a meltdown and receiving therapy at a holistic treatment center.
10:00pm Hawaii Five-0 CBS - Mea Makamae The team investigates the murder of a deep-sea diver famous for the valuable treasure he finds.
11:00pm Chelsea Lately E! - TV reality stars Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett and Hank Baskett; comic Michael Yo; comic Heather McDonald; TV personality Ross Mathews.
11:00pm Conan TBS - Actor Ty Burrell; health expert Jillian Michaels; Ryan Adams perform
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Actor Tracy Morgan; sportscasters Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Actor Aaron Eckhart; actress Julianne Hough; Amos Lee performs.
12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - TV personality Paula Abdul; actor Kenny Wormald; Two Door Cinema Club performs.
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Actress Claire Danes; actress Betty White.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Actor Ice-T; actor Rich Fulcher; a performance from Yo Gabba Gabba!
