Idle Chatter

by William Ham

The struggle for late Saturday nights is beginning to escalate. In addition to Fox’s Mad TV and CBS’ capture of The State from the clutches of MTV, a new gaggle of gigglers is set to vie for the tarnished crown once worn by that other show, the one that airs live on Saturday nights (whatever it’s called). ABC has inked a two-year-to-life deal with a noted ex-football hero and rental car spokesman for Pass the O.J.!, 90 minutes of cutting humor and slashing wit that promises to slay you and get away with it… PBS throws its viewer-sponsored hat into the late-night ring with the U.S. premiere of the award-winning English sitcom, There’s A Bloody Pouf In My Sodding Flat! It’s got laughs, heart, racial slurs, and rampant misogyny; and it’s got an accent, which I guess makes it all right… and finally, UPN and executive producer John “Chuckles” Gotti present an evening of stand-up hostility, What the Hell Are You Laughing At? You won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen if you know what’s good for you… And that’s the way it is. Mildly amusing sign off line!