‘Forty Deuce’ a disservice to burlesque
Proof that bad television can reduce even the liveliest art form to sheer tedium can be found on the four-part series “Forty Deuce” (11 p.m., Bravo).
“Deuce” seeks to re-glamorize the lost world of burlesque by celebrating the retro-themed Hollywood watering hole Forty Deuce, created by Ivan Kane and his wife Champagne Suzy.
In a world filled with dreary strip clubs, Kane hopes to rekindle the aesthetic sizzle of evocatively clothed exotic dancers.
The accent is on dance.
As we’re quickly and repetitively informed, Kane’s club is a big hit, attracting Hollywood’s elite.
We’re shown a table that includes members of famous boy bands.
If “Deuce” had any faith in the burlesque revival, it would show us some performances for periods exceeding four seconds at a clip.
Instead we’re exposed to a parade of talking dancers offering a blizzard of banalities.
And worst of all, we’re subject to Kane’s endless theorizing about the genius of his nightclub operations, his dreams of moving to Las Vegas and other long-winded schemes
Other highlights
Darwinian struggle on “Survivor” (8 p.m., CBS).
An eventful charity auction on “The O.C.” (8 p.m., Fox).
Prison brutality on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).
Adventures in the garment business on “The Apprentice” (9 p.m., NBC)
A surprise party can be murder on “Tru Calling” (9 p.m., Fox).
A homeless woman vanishes from her shelter on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).
An Independence Day overload on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): an interview with a witness in the Kobe Bryant case; Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm to a shark; the mothers of American contractors murdered by Iraqi insurgents.
Cult choice
A private eye’s (Mark Stevens) gal Friday (Lucille Ball) saves him from a phony murder charge in the 1946 film noir mystery “The Dark Corner” (7 p.m., Fox Movie Channel).
Series notes
On back-to-back episodes of “Jake in Progress” (ABC), an unsurprising party (8 p.m.), and guy’s night fizzles (8:30 p.m.) … Joey’s big premiere on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … Wrestling on “WWE Smackdown” (8 p.m., UPN) …
On back-to-back episodes of “Blue Collar TV” (WB), health (8 p.m.), and pets (8:30 p.m.).
Valentine’s Day on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC) … A would-be rapper with a birth defect to surmount on “Extreme Makeover” (9 p.m., ABC)… The last audition on “The Starlet” (9 p.m., WB).
Late night
Bruce Willis and Greg Giraldo appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Brittany Murphy, Dave Attell and Velvet Revolver on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 a.m., ABC).
Steve Zahn, Fran Drescher and Jack Gallagher chat on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Michael Chiklis and Tony Hawk on “The Late, Late Show” (12:37 a.m., CBS).