”Funniest Mom” offers fresh humor
Five women compete for the crown of “Funniest Mom in America” (10 p.m., Nick at Nite). Sandra Bernhard hosts this amateur stand-up showcase. The winner will receive a cash prize of $50,000 and a chance to develop a television pilot.
While this sounds almost as contrived as the winner of “The Starlet” getting an acting shot on “One Tree Hill,” the notion of a comedy routine turning into a hit show is not that farfetched. After all, “Roseanne” was developed from Roseanne Barr’s raucous rants, and “Everybody Loves Raymond” was born after Ray Romano impressed David Letterman with material based almost entirely on the foibles of fatherhood.
A panel of “experts,” including actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, writer Carole Leifer (“Seinfeld”) and casting director Jodi Collins, evaluate each woman’s act.
Don’t look for Simon Cowell crankiness here. Everybody gets a rave.
Of the five, two stand out. LeAnne Morgan of Knoxville, Tenn., brings subtle Southern charm and an unforced anecdotal style. In short, her “act,” which includes a hilarious take on a toddler saying the word “mama” about 70 consecutive times, doesn’t seem like an act.
While the review tape did not reveal the winner, my choice would have to be Darlene Westgor of Burnsville, Minn. Her tales about being a suburban single mom combine a breezy maternal delinquency and acid commentary that reminded me of Brett Butler (“Grace Under Fire”).
Told that some of her married Minnesota neighbors fear that she is after their men, Darlene assures them that “I don’t want your alcoholic, ice-fishing, REO Speedwagon-listening husbands!” And just when the laughter of recognition subsides, she adds, “But I’ll take your sons… .”
These women don’t need consultant Jeffrey Ross, described here as a “comedian’s comedian,” to tell them how to be amusing.
“Independent Lens” (10 p.m., KSPS) presents “The Last Letter,” the first dramatic film from acclaimed documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman (“High School”).
Set in a Ukrainian village during World War II, Catherine Samie appears alone on the screen equivalent of a bare stage to deliver a long, meditative letter to her son just before she is executed by invading German soldiers. Filmed in black and white, with subtitled French dialogue (or monologue, as it were), “Letter” is broadcast to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Amy quits the bench and mulls a run for the Senate on the sixth-season finale of “Judging Amy” (10 p.m., CBS).
Other highlights
A Constantine-less quintet performs on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox).
Rory interns at a newspaper on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB).
Longitudes and attitudes on “The Amazing Race” (9 p.m., CBS).
A 12-year-old shows dangerous symptoms on “House” (9 p.m., Fox).
Benson and Stabler track a serial rapist on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC), followed by a related episode of “Law & Order: Trial By Jury” (10 p.m., NBC) in which Kibre (Bebe Neuwirth) collaborates with Benson and Stabler.
A victim can’t be identified on “Blind Justice” (10 p.m., ABC).
Cult choice
Proof that sitcom success does not ensure screen stardom can be found in the 2004 comedy “Welcome to Mooseport” (7 p.m., HBO), starring Ray Romano and Gene Hackman.
Series notes
A hero medic falls under suspicion on “Navy NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS) … Old clips on “Most Outrageous TV Moments” (8 p.m., NBC) … Michael mulls retirement on “My Wife and Kids” (8 p.m., ABC) … Paula Abdul guest-stars on “All of Us” (8 p.m., UPN).
Home improvements on “George Lopez” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … An itinerant hair diva on “Eve” (8:30 p.m., UPN).
On back-to-back episodes of “According to Jim” (ABC, a wilder party (9 p.m.), and a good luck charm (9:30 p.m.) … Veronica discovers who drugged her last year on “Veronica Mars” (9 p.m., UPN) … Nathan’s uncle stirs things up on “One Tree Hill” (9 p.m., WB).