Paul F. Tompkins debuts a new stand-up special on Comedy Central tonight that you simply shouldn't miss.
Tompkins is one of my very favorite comedians, snazzy Ed McMahon wardrobe and all. He isn't so much a joke-teller as he is gifted storyteller, and I could listen to him tell stories for hours. The one-hour special that airs tonight, "Laboring Under Delusions," is over way too soon.
Tompkins' storytelling focus here is on some of the jobs he's held over the years. . .
Not much more to say about this new Comedy Central stand-up special, "John Mulaney: New in Town," besides it's funny. Very, very funny.
Mulaney is a 29-year-old writer for "Saturday Night Live" (he's the brains behind Bill Hader's "Stefon" character). He's a little nerdy and not really what you'd call edgy (at least not on basic cable) -- but he's still hilarious. His riff on the acting skills of "Law & Order: SVU" actor Ice T had me cracking up. "You mean, it's like when someone eats a lot of chocolate cake, and they can't stop eating chocolate cake?" You'll see what I mean.
This is Mulaney's first one-hour special (he was featured in a half-hour "Comedy Central Presents" special in 2009, which I'm going to look for online right now). It won't be his last.
There's a clip from the show below.
9/11: The Day That Changed the World (8pm, Smithsonian Channel) - A two-hour special telling the inside story from the people in charge of protecting the nation on 9/11. Exclusive interviews with Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Rudy Giuliani, Andrew Card, Richard Clarke, and others. Narrated by Martin Sheen. Repeats at 11 tonight and 5 p.m. tomorrow.
When Pop Culture Saved America: A 9/11 Story (8pm, Bio) - An exploration of how celebrities helped in the healing process in the aftermath of September 11 through concerts, telethons, and television specials. Features: Kristin Chenoweth, Dan Rather, Regis Philbin, Ray Romano, and Denis Leary.
The Closer (9pm, TNT) - Brenda investigates the puzzling disappearance of a stage father whose daughter's new single is ready for release. Also, new and potentially hopeful developments emerge in Brenda's civil suit.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (9pm, Bravo) - The much discussed Season 2 premiere will air with a brief introduction featuring the cast discussing the recent suicide of cast member Russell Armstrong. They'll also air suicide prevention messages throughout the episode. Armstrong killed himself in August after taping of Season 2 had ended. He is not featured in tonight's premiere episode, but his wife Taylor is shown discussing their troubled marriage.
The Glades (10pm, A&E) - In the Season 2 finale, ex-con brothers seize Callie's hospital and take hostages, and Jim and Callie (right) must work together to capture the men and keep everyone safe.
Children of 9/11 (10pm, NBC) - Interviews and home movies help trace the experiences of 11 children whose lives were directly impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Included: a boy who lost his mother in the Pentagon attack, a boy who was born two days after his father perished in the World Trade Center, and three daughters of a man who bravely battled hijackers onboard United Flight 93.
Death Valley (10:30pm, MTV) - A vampire prostitute is released from the station and teen vigilantes go zombie hunting.
Return with me to the halcyon days of 14 years ago, when the Triangle was an alternative-country hotbed -- and check in on one of our alumni from back then. All on the click-through...
