One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
TV Junkie: Showtime Premieres 'Inside Comedy' Tonight
Jerry Seinfeld is interviewed by David Steinberg in tonight's premiere of "Inside Comedy" on Showtime.
Tonight Showtime is launching another amazing comedy series called "Inside Comedy" at 8pm. Thankfully they are repeating it at least a couple more times tonight because I don't want to miss in-depth conversations with comedy icons Jerry Seinfeld and Don Rickles hosted by David Steinberg. The show is very different than Showtime's "The Green Room With Paul Provenza" and I hope Showtime realizes that and keeps both of them. Whereas "The Green Room" is an all-out, no holds barred discussion and confrontation of what is comedy in, literally, a theatre in the round, as compared to the much more sedate and respectful (perhaps uptight?) format of "Inside Comedy" with its very polite audience. I've been in an audience for "The Green Room" and while I can guarantee that experience is a lot more fun than the experience must be at "Inside Comedy," both shows have their place. If Showtime keeps them both then it shows how serious they are about becoming the premium cable destination for comedy.
---
About this time next year, get ready to see the first spinoff of the US version of "The Office" featuring Rainn Wilson's Dwight as the main character. The spinoff was created by Wilson and "The Office" executive producer/showrunner Paul Lieberstein who also plays Toby.
---
Tonight keep your eyes open for a double dose of "30 Rock," another spectacular episode of "Archer," and what should be a great edition of "Chelsea Lately" (if it's possible to top Chris Franjola's work on the roundtable last night): we've got perennial fave (and super nice guy) Josh Wolf, with the hyperactively psychotic Bobby Lee, and the wonderful recent addition of Liz Carey - I don't know where they got her, it says she's an actress, but she's amazingly funny and well worth checking out. Let's hear it for Ross Matthew's capably hosting this week even though he was overly gushy about some stupid "Housewife" guest last night - he can be forgiven.
---
The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan: "30 Rock," "Parks and Recreation," "30 Rock," "Up All Night," "Archer," "Inside Comedy" (on late repeat), "Chelsea Lately," "Jimmy Kimmel Live"
8:00pm Inside Comedy Showtime - Jerry Seinfeld; Don Rickles Host David Steinberg talks to Jerry Seinfeld and Don Rickles about their comedy careers.
8:00pm 30 Rock NBC - Idiots Are People Three! Tracy leads a protest defending idiots everywhere; Jack finds time to face off with Devin Banks (Will Arnett) and meddle in Liz's relationship by issuing Criss (James Marsden) an ultimatum.
8:30pm Parks and Recreation NBC - Bowling for Votes After receiving feedback from a focus group, Leslie and Ben plan a casual bowling party; April, Jerry and Chris compete to see who can raise the most money for Leslie's campaign.
8:30pm Rob CBS - The Pillow When Rob and Maggie have a disagreement over a pillow, Fernando and Rosa try to teach them about the signifigance of their first fight; Hector must get a job.
8:30pm Young Cassidy TCM - (1965) Dublin playwright Sean O'Casey (Rod Taylor) loves a librarian (Maggie Smith), sleeps with a chorus girl (Julie Christie) and meets Yeats.
9:00pm 30 Rock NBC - Liz and Jack face off over her contract; Kenneth changes his page assignment; Tracy and Jenna get a job entertaining at a bar mitzvah.
Sponsored message
10:00pm Archer FX - El Contador Cyril is promoted to field agent; Malory institutes a strict drug-testing policy.
11:00pm Chelsea Lately E! - The Meatball Shop Guys; actress Liz Carey; comic Bobby Lee; comic Josh Wolf.
11:00pm The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Comedy Central - Tilda Swinton is interview guest
11:00pm Conan TBS - Actor Cuba Gooding Jr.; actor Jon Heder; They Might Be Giants performs.
11:30pm The Colbert Report Comedy Central - Drew Barrymore is interview guest
12:05am Jimmy Kimmel Live ABC - Retired tennis champion Andre Agassi; actor J.B. Smoove; Seal performs.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
