Laughs Cascade With ‘Politically Incorrect’

The new year begins with great news for ABC. Comedian Bill Maher’s “Politically Incorrect” moves from cable’s Comedy Central to ABC, following “Nightline.”

That means each weeknight you can go from experts and world leaders chatting it up with Ted Koppel to some of the world’s funniest people laughing it up with Maher. The show debuts on ABC on Monday.

Tonight, the network serves up a taste of what’s in store with “Politically Incorrect’s Greatest Hits” at 10, co-hosted by Yasmine Bleeth and Jeff Greenfield.

I can’t remember laughing so hard so often. This hour of clips from past shows is not to be missed.

Guests include Roseanne, George Stephanopoulos, Jerry Seinfeld, Barry White, Sen. Arlen Specter, Tim Allen, Chris Rock, Coolio, G. Gordon Liddy, Joan Rivers and many others.

If you like politics and you like comedy, make plans now to become a “Politically Incorrect” junkie.

Leno and Letterman had better look out. Maher and his cohorts make their shows seem about as lively as “Meet the Press.”

The trend continues: Cable now sets the standard for TV movies; HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show” is television’s funniest comedy, and now one of the best new shows on network television is one that was born and raised on cable.

Highlights

“Football,” CBS at 5: The New Year’s Day college grid marathon concludes with the Fiesta Bowl, featuring Penn State (10-2) and Texas (8-4).

“Fire in the Sky” (1993), FOX at 8: D.B. Sweeney stars in this disappointing tale of an alleged UFO abduction. He plays an Arizona logger, suspected of murder, whose alibi is that he was being held captive in an alien spacecraft.

The special effects we’ve seen before, and there’s no compelling plot. James Garner co-stars as the cop in pursuit of the truth.

“Wings,” NBC at 8: Jenny McCarthy (“Singled Out”) guest-stars as Brian (Steven Weber) searches for a practical lifemate and instead meets someone who is a bachelor’s dream. A second “Wings” repeat airs at 8:30.

“Ellen,” ABC at 9:30: This is the one where Ellen (Ellen DeGeneres) almost reveals, supposedly, that she’s a lesbian. When her parents confess that they plan to separate after years of unhappiness, Ellen nearly blurts out that she’s been keeping a secret herself.

“Law & Order,” NBC at 10: In a repeat from 1995, Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) investigate a prostitute’s murder. Evidence points to a plastic surgeon (Jonathan Walker).

Kincaid (Jill Hennessy) gets a quick conviction, but key testimony doesn’t ring true.

Cable Calls

“The Perfect Daughter” (1996), USA at 9: Tracey Gold is a drug-addicted runaway teen with amnesia. What more do we need to say?

She’s returned to her family with no idea of the unfinished business that eventually will come back to haunt her.

This movie is improbable and poorly acted. It’s no way to start a new year.

“Amazing Games,” ESPN at 6: From Brazil comes an alternative to college football. These unorthodox games of skill include a death-defying contest involving teams pitted against a charging bull.

“The 20th Century,” A&E at 7 and 11: If you’re nostalgic for the glory days of Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, check out this hour on the broad influence and big business of televangelism.

“The Larry Sanders Show,” HBO at 10: In a memorable, riotous repeat, one of Hank’s amateur sex tapes leaks out.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Debbie Reynolds.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young, actor-comedian Adam Sandler and music group Hootie and the Blowfish. Repeat.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor Robert Pastorelli and comedian Louis C.K.