Graham Norton’ debuts on Comedy Central
Graham Norton is coming! Graham Norton is coming!
Altogether now: Who?
Comedy Central is setting some of its summer hopes on this “British TV sensation.” Tonight at 10 the Brit funnyman debuts a variety/talk show called “The Graham Norton Effect” on the cable channel. He’s also making a standup special to air this year. The only problem is that most Americans have never heard of him.
The frequently naughty Norton is a big hit across the pond, as they say, and his “So Graham Norton” is seen here on the BBC America cable channel. His new show, to appear Thursday nights for 13 weeks on Comedy Central, will blend celebrity interviews with audience bits, Internet outrages and roving-camera comedy.
Whether anyone here will find him to their taste, however, is yet to be seen.
Highlights
“North Shore,” Fox at 8: Repeat of this week’s episode in which a guest in a bad spot talks her way into a job as a maid at the hotel.
“Pepsi Smash,” WB at 8: Yellowcard and the Hives are among tonight’s performers.
“Come to Papa,” NBC at 8:30: Amused that Karen’s best friend may have a crush on her, Tom attempts to prove his theory. Naturally, it backfires. This episode is not a repeat, but the whole show usually feels like one.
“Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital,” ABC at 9: It’s not a ghost. It’s not a phantom. It’s not a mirage. The series is back from the living dead to burn off the remaining episodes.
“PrimeTime Thursday,” ABC at 10.
“ER,” NBC at 10: When Carter urges Neela to be more aggressive in the emergency room, she goes too far. Repeat.
Family Fare
“Guy Pearce’s Ultimate Guide to Tigers,” Animal Planet at 8: A look at how tigers live, and how people are trying to keep them from dying out.
Cable Cast
2004 NBA Draft, ESPN at 4:30: The teams finally get down to picking some players.
“Celebrity Poker Showdown,” Bravo at 9: Andy Richter and Maura Tierney are among the celebs playing Texas Hold ‘Em on behalf of their favorite charities.
“True Life,” MTV at 10: An episode titled “I’m Gay and I’m Getting Married” needs no further explanation, nor does the fact that it was shot in Massachusetts.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Shawn Wayans and musical guests the Secret Machines.
“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: Will Ferrell and Uncle Kracker.