Carey Show Takeoff On ‘Full Monty’

Generally, I condemn the cheap, tawdry use of nudity when it comes to winning a few extra ratings points. But if it’s Drew Carey who’s taking it all off, well, that’s different.

Tune in “The Drew Carey Show” (ABC at 9) for a riotous takeoff on the recent British film, “The Full Monty.”

It all begins when Drew mistakenly takes Mrs.

Louder’s prized dog - a celebrated breeder - to the pound to be neutered.

Drew and his pals Oswald and Lewis (Diedrich Bader, Ryan Stiles), and Mr. Wicker (Craig Ferguson), who was supposed to be watching the dog, use every euphemism for castration in the English language and make up a few more. But what to do before the big boss finds out about poochie’s little cut and trim? A replacement studpup will cost $4,500.

To raise the cash, they decide to bare it all at a local club. Instead, they get busted by the police and end up shaking it before a judge in a wild music and dance finale.

Carey may be the only comic in prime time who could pull this off, so to speak. You gotta love the big guy.

Highlights

“Spin City,” ABC at 8: When Mike dates a writer for “All My Children” (Susan Floyd) their relationship begins to mirror a story line on the popular soap.

“All-New All-Star TV Censored When Bloopers Attack!” NBC at 8: Amy Pietz (“Caroline in the City”) and Steve Harvey (“The Steve Harvey Show”) join Dick Clark for the latest collection of outtakes. New this time: Viewers will vote by telephone on their favorite of three “classic” bloopers. Yawn.

“Nova,” KSPS at 8: “Super Bridge” documents the construction of the Clark Bridge, spanning the Mississippi River near St. Louis.

“3rd Rock From the Sun,” NBC at 9: Dick (John Lithgow) is called for jury duty and, as you can imagine, becomes overwhelmed by the responsibility. Best lines: “You want the truth? I can’t handle the truth!”

Meanwhile, Sally (Kristen Johnston) goes grunge when she meets a tortured artist (Jason Carter).

“Party of Five,” FOX at 9: Julia and Griffin (Neve Campbell, Jeremy London) have their formal wedding, but it’s not exactly a joyous occasion. Charlie (Matthew Fox) tells Nina (Jessica Lundy) he has cancer.

“Law & Order,” NBC at 10: In a crossover episode that concludes on “Homicide: Life on the Street” Friday at 10, Briscoe and Curtis (Jerry Orbach, Benjamin Bratt) travel to Baltimore to investigate the death of a 14-year-old New York model who was raped there two weeks before she died in New York of toxic-shock syndrome.

“PrimeTime Live,” ABC at 10: Diane Sawyer interviews Luke Woodham, the Mississippi high school student charged with killing his mother and two classmates.

Cable Calls

“Stripes” (1981), TNT at 5: Bill Murray is the Sad Sack in this screwball army comedy that is unoriginal, sophomoric and very, very funny. An all-military night continues at 7:15 with Robert Altman’s “MASH” (1970), starring Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, Sally Kellerman and Tom Skerritt.

Then at 9:45, it’s “Catch-22” (1970), Mike Nichols’ adaptation of Joseph Heller’s war novel. The fun-to-watch cast includes, Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Bob Newhart, Jon Voight, Buck Henry, Anthony Perkins, Orson Welles and Charles Grodin.

“Kenny Loggins: Live By Request,” A&E at 6, repeated at 10: A&E’s inviting series of live music spotlights Grammy-winner Loggins, who takes requests via telephone, fax and the Internet.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Matt LeBlanc (“Friends”) and Tim Russert (“Meet the Press”).

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Former sportscaster Marv Albert and singer John Fogerty.

“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Peri Gilpin and executive vice president of the CATO Institute, David Boaz.

“The Late-Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: Patrick Duffy (“Step By Step”) and Art Linkletter (“People Are Funny”).

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Matt Lauer (“Today”), Lisa Rinna (“Melrose Place”) and author James Ellroy.