‘Chris Rock,’ ‘Mr. Show’ Enliven Late Night

HBO’s “The Chris Rock Show” and “Mr. Show With Bob and Dave” at 11:30 and midnight may not be for everyone, but they aren’t dull.

Rock, starting his second season, is one of today’s hottest comics, the kind of socially aware comedian who cuts to the chase on issues of race, politics and pop culture. And he has proven to be an entertaining interviewer as well.

Tonight’s guests are Arsenio Hall and Sean “Puffy” Combs.

More difficult to describe is “Mr. Show,” starring Bob Odenkirk and Dave Cross. This unpredictable sketch comedy, which embarks on a third season, takes many wild and irreverent swings.

Tonight’s show opens with “Crazy Religious Beliefs,” a parody of TV’s “That’s Incredible” genre.

Offending nearly every religion, the skit makes the point that all faiths have quirky beliefs.

I’m not so sure whether the message is that we should be more tolerant of the differences in our beliefs or that religion is, in fact, crazy.

The sketches don’t always work. Eccentric and anarchistic are words that have been used to describe “Mr. Show.” But you can’t call it boring.

Highlights

“Candid Camera Across America,” CBS at 8: Highs and lows again mark the hidden-camera comedy. The theme seems to be, “Let’s make people look dumb!”

Most offensive are segments featuring a border guard telling motorists that Texas is closed and Susan Anton visiting an Oregon town she tells people she just bought. Repeat.

“UFOs: The Best Evidence Ever Caught on Tape,” FOX at 8: Back for a quick second airing (FOX debuted it on July 28) is this hour hosted by Jonathan Frakes (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”). Let’s just say the “Best Evidence” doesn’t exactly prove that UFO’s exist.

“JAG,” CBS at 9: Bruce Weitz (“Hill Street Blues”) turns in a gritty performance as a homeless ex-Navy SEAL on trial for killing three men who tried to hold up a convenience store.

The plot surprise is that the down-and-out serviceman was protecting his estranged son, who didn’t even recognize his father. Repeat.

“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 10: In an hour produced in cooperation with “National Geographic,” correspondent Josh Mankiewicz reports on inventor Graham Hawkes’ attempt to pilot his one-man submarine to an area of the Pacific Ocean no person has ever explored.

“Nash Bridges,” CBS at 10: It’s personal. Nash (Don Johnson) hunts the men responsible for drugging and almost raping his sister. Repeat.

Parents’ Pick

“Beethoven’s 2nd” (1993), NBC at 8: Kids will love the sequel to this doggy tale as much as the original. This time, Beethoven and his sweetie, Missy, become parents.

How much slobber can George (Charles Grodin) suffer? Bonnie Hunt, Nicholle Tom and Debi Mazar co-star.

Cable Calls “Matilda” (1996), SHOW at 8: Danny DeVito directed this darkly funny adaptation of the Roald Dahl story.

Matilda (Mara Wilson) is a precocious and brilliant child whose parents (DeVito, Rhea Perlman) are horrible. And her school principal (Pam Ferris) is even worse.

If not for her wonderful teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz), there would be no hope for the little girl - until Matilda develops a very special talent.

Wilson is spectacular, maneuvering deftly around these overbearing characters. This is not a movie for young children but for those older kids absorbed by Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach.”

It is a lot of wicked fun.

“Maximum Risk” (1996), MAX at 8: Two Jean-Claude Van Dammes are better than one. If you believe that, you’ll love the action hero as a police officer discovers that his murdered twin brother was a Russian agent. Sexy Natasha Henstridge gives this ordinary film an appreciable lift.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actress Pamela Lee, 10-year-old lizard boy Charles Perkins and actor Mark Addy.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, comedian Adam Sandler and music group Bee Gees.

“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Michael Moore, Paul Hogan, Lisa Rinna and congressional aide Lella Bate.

“The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder,” CBS at 12:35 a.m.: To be announced.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actress Andie MacDowell and author James Ellroy.