Lots of local viewers are getting their first look at Comedy Central, which TCI just made available to customers in its fiber-optic rebuild areas. And those who aren't familiar with the channel are finding that while there are some gems, there is also a lot that's pretty much unwatchable.
And parents have one more channel to guard against if they have kids in the house. A high percentage of Comedy Central programming is not exactly appropriate for the entire family.This is Comedy Central's premiere week, with a number of new shows and new episodes of returning series. Here's what to expect:
-- Strangers with Candy airs the first of six new episodes tonight at 9. It's about 46-year-old Jeri Blank (Amy Sedaris), a druggie who dropped out as a teen and is now back in high school, where she's pretty much completely out of place.
This is funny on rare occasions, but mostly it's crude and fairly stupid.
-- Upright Citizens Brigade begins the first of 10 new episodes tonight at 9:30 when the series moves into its second season. It's an outrageous sketch comedy.
Tonight's installment includes spoofs on competition, including baby fighting and a boxer who takes on a horse.
It can be very funny or very lame -- and it's often quite crude.
-- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist returns for its sixth season on Tuesday at 9 p.m. -- the first of 18 new episodes. The animated series features high-profile guest stars (Jeff Goldblum tonight) taking a turn on Dr. Katz's couch.
The humor here is often low-key, dry and very funny. This is one of Comedy Central's best shows.
-- Comedy Central Presents, which debuts Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., is an anthology series of sorts, featuring various stand-up comedians. And the first installment features -- Mark Cooper of "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper."
He's sometimes quite funny. Just don't expect a T.G.I.F. performance -- this is for adults.
-- South Park airs the first of six new episodes on Wednesday at 9 p.m.
If you're not familiar with this rude, crude and obnoxious show, you're in for a shock. Parents, don't be lulled by the fact that it's animated -- this is very inappropriate for children.
-- The Man Show premieres Thursday at 9:30 p.m. And, given the title and the fact that Adam Carolla ("Loveline") and Jamie Kimmel ("Win Ben Stein's Money") are the hosts, it probably won't surprise you to learn that the Juggy Dance Squad Girls are regulars.
From the clips shown to critics, this appears to be a rude, crude show from a man's point of view.
-- Comedy Central Vs., which debuts Thursday at 9:30 p.m., is described as "the only game show where 'real people' are not allowed to compete.' It features two teams -- could be Ivy Leaguers vs. community college kids or bikers vs. prison guards -- competing at quiz questions.
Greg Proops ("Whose Line Is It Anyway?") is the host.