NIGHTLY entertainment talk shows have plenty to discuss and laugh about. Poking fun at celebrities? inanities and a livelier-than-usual political scene, American gab-meisters have an easy time conjuring up mirth and irreverence. Here are three of the more enjoyable:
?Chelsea Lately? (11:30 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, ETC)
Comedienne/author Chelsea Handler mocks show newsmakers daily, dissecting gaffes and weirdness with a wisecracking trio, a roundtable panel of similarly witty comics. That?s a regular part of the 30-minute show, ?Chelsea Lately,? along with short sketches and an interview with a celebrity guest. The show has a relaxed atmosphere, allowing the opinionated host and her guests to discuss topics unabashedly, but certain words are bleeped out prior to airing.
The sketches, such as ?Unlicensed Entertainment Therapist? and ?Judge Lately,? are hit-and-miss. Handler consistently hits the mark, however, during the roundtable portion. She?s a confident interviewer who generously communicates with her guests. She sometimes opens up about her own life, to hilarious results.
?Jimmy Kimmel Live!? (10:00 p.m., nightly, Star World)
Jimmy Kimmel may already be familiar to viewers because he previously co-hosted Comedy Central?s popular ?The Man Show,? which overflowed with beer and bikini-clad women. But that was years ago, and Kimmel transitioned smoothly to hosting his own program. The hour-long ?Jimmy Kimmel Live!? follows the traditional late night format. He usually opens with jokes about current events, proceeds to comedy bits, does interviews and introduces guest music performers.
He keeps things lively and interesting. New viewers may be familiar with the guy and the show because of two music videos that became widely viewed online. Then-girlfriend Sarah Silverman appeared in the funny ?I?m F---ing Matt Damon,? where she declares that she?s been cheating on Kimmel with the actor.
Kimmel ?retaliates? with his own video, disclosing sexual intimacy with Damon?s best bud Ben Affleck, while a ?We are the World?-esque cast sings the revealing song. Affleck even appeared on the show and gamely talked about his role.
?Late Night With Conan O?Brien? (Recently aired on JackTV)
The epitome of geeky coolness, O?Brien balances comedic and hosting duties. His ?Late Night? stint just recently ended. It benefited from his quick wit, but he?s the first to admit when a punch line failed disastrously. He comfortably interacted with oddball characters in mostly clever and nicely executed sketches, and even occasionally used his rapport with the show?s band in comic scenarios.
The self-deprecating host inserts humor throughout interviews, making guests relaxed enough to laugh and share more. How will his style change in 2009, when he takes over ?The Tonight Show? after Jay Leno leaves? That?s anyone?s guess.
