Chelsea handles cable comedy with ease

There aren’t many television talk-show hosts who would allow a guest to spank them.

There aren’t many talk-show hosts like Chelsea Handler. As ringmaster for the organized comedy chaos of her E! Network chat show “Chelsea Lately,” Handler has become the talk sensation of cable. She has one of the highest-rated shows on the cable network in a time slot that puts her in competition with Jay Leno and David Letterman.

Through a laser-quick wit and gut-kicking candor, Handler’s doing for pop culture what Jon Stewart does for politics with “The Daily Show.”

Her show is an amalgam of different formats. There are the typical elements: special guests, a desk and a jovial sidekick in Chuy Bravo. Handler, a stand-up comic, also gets to deliver an opening monologue that more often than not skewers the rich and infamous.

There’s also a round-table discussion. Imagine “Meet the Press” mixed with a Comedy Central roast. On one recent visit to the show, Handler was carrying on a discussion of topics from “Days of Our Lives” to the anniversary of the Bloody Mary with Tanika Ray, Andrew Daly and Jo Koy.

“I think this show is a good medley of things to do,” says Handler. “I like all the elements of it. I come from stand-up. So obviously I like that the best. But this is much easier.”

There is some feedback from a studio audience, the average age of which is so young they probably have to skip chemistry class at community college just to attend.

Handler took on the job in July 2007 without a talk-show background. Her credits include “Girls Behaving Badly” and “The Practice.”

“I never thought it was going to be a difficult part of the job until people started saying, ‘Oh my God, interviewing is so hard.’ ” Handler says. “I think it is just being a person. Listening. And being interested in what people have to say.”

Just after 3 p.m. Handler, dressed in a black top, skin-tight blue jeans and red shoes with 4-inch heels, completes the monologue with no problem. The panel discussion and interview with guest Ethan Suplee of “My Name Is Earl” goes just as smoothly. The show is done before 4 p.m.

But there is more to the show than just the taping. Handler and the staff have spent the day turning the day’s biggest pop-culture news into comedy material.

“I’m just having a good time saying the things that are on everyone’s mind. I don’t have some great insight. I’m just not afraid to say it.”

The spanking incident occurs during an additional bit of taping to be used in a future episode. The crew sets up to film an interview session with rapper Akon, and Handler’s bent over and being slapped before the audience realizes what has happened.

There aren’t many talk show hosts who would be so quick to end up in that position.

The birthday bunch

Singer-songwriter Bobby Goldsboro is 68. Comedian-singer Brett Hudson of the Hudson Brothers is 56. Actor-director Kevin Costner is 54. Country singer Mark Collie is 53. Actress Jane Horrocks is 45. Comedian Dave Attell is 44. Actor Jesse L. Martin is 40. Singer Jonathan Davis of Korn is 38. Actor Jason Segel is 29. Singer Samantha Mumba is 26.