Lifestyle

ABC offers Paul Reubens in 'Jack'

Joel Brown
New York Times Syndicate

The reality/game show trail takes another strange turn tonight, with a real game show hosted by a fictional character. But how much do we really know about safari-clad "Survivor" host Jeff Probst?

Paul Reubens, aka Pee Wee Herman, plays Troy Stevens, nutjob host of "You Don't Know Jack," based on the hit CD-ROM game. It debuts on ABC tonight with two episodes from 8 to 9, moving next week to its regular time slot, at 8:30.

Reubens has turned out to be a fine dramatic actor ("Blow"), but it ought to be interesting to see him playing another comic character at the series level, his first since playing the obnoxious junior executive on "Murphy Brown." His pompous Stevens hosts a series with real contestants vying for real cash by answering trivia questions, but we suspect there'll be plenty of time for shtick in between.

ABC also promises he'll be interrupting the contestant action with an "eclectic crew of guest stars, including fighting ninjas, Carl Lewis, belly dancers, an opera singer, a mariachi band and screaming babies, (who) try their best to distract them from winning."

Bet Carl Lewis is flattered, huh?

Highlights

"Teenapalooza," FOX at 8: This big ol' variety show frames the announcement of the nominees for the Teen Choice Awards coming in August.

Give the folks at Fox credit for knowing how to max out their programming budget.

Sisqo, Shaggy, Nelly, Eden's Crush and assorted other teen acts hit the stage, along with comedians and magicians. There are also concert-tour previews -- also known as ads.

But we just have to ask: Isn't the whole "-palooza" thing just so 1997?

Sean and Marlon Wayans host.

"Night Ride Home," CBS at 9: Rebecca De Mornay, Keith Carradine and "American Beauty" teen Thora Birch star in a 1999 made-for-television movie about a family in trouble after the death of the son in an accident. On the whole, we'd rather watch Sisqo.

"The Beast," ABC at 10: Not a repeat, but not so good, either. The second episode of the series about a cable news network run by Frank Langella focuses on voter fraud and the media bomber.

Credibility is not its strong suit.

Family Fare

"Principal Takes a Holiday," DIS at 7: Kevin Nealon and Zachery Ty Bryan star in the tale of a teenager who gets a homeless man to play principal as part of a scam to fix his permanent record.

Cable Cast

"Six Feet Under," HBO at 9: Repeat of Sunday's episode, memorably involving a missing foot and a teen with a toe fetish.

"The Gay Riviera," BRAVO at 7 and 10: We've been remiss in not recommending this documentary miniseries earlier in the week. But you might want to take a look.

"Sex and the City," HBO at 10: Repeat of Sunday's episode in which Samantha ponders the value of sex while Miranda swears off it.

"South Park," COM at 10: Comedy Central's Web site isn't much help, but we know this is an all-new episode. And we know it will be sick and funny.

"Primetime Glick," COM at 10:30: Premiere. Martin Short extracts a character from his failed syndicated talk show -- brainless, bloated Hollywood suck-up Jiminy Glick -- and builds a show around him.

Tonight, the Glickster's guests include Steve Martin and Bill Maher.

Late Night Talk

"Late Show with David Letterman," CBS at 11:35: John McEnroe and musical guest PJ Harvey.

"Tonight Show with Jay Leno," NBC at 11:35: Erik Weihenmayer -- the blind guy who just climbed Everest -- and singer Luther Vandross.

"Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Malcolm McDowell.

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