Margaret Cho’s last TV series was, to hear her tell it, an unmitigated disaster. Instead of embracing the campy, raunchy on-stage persona of the Korean-American comic, ABC’s “All-American Girl” squeezed her into a traditional ethnic sitcom that lasted just one season in 1994.
Cho may not have enjoyed the experience, but she learned from it and got loads of material for her act, which for a long time consisted of ripping ABC. Tonight, 14 years after “Girl,” Cho finally returns with a new program, “The Cho Show,” which premieres at 11 p.m. on VH1.
“Cho” is best described as absurdist reality, in the vein of Bravo’s “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-list.” Cho’s real-life parents and entourage, including her mouthy 3-foot-10 assistant, all appear as the comedienne does everything from move to a canyon to explore her sexuality. She’s also promised to address outrageous topics like anal bleaching and haunted vaginas.
In short, she’ll do all the things that the longtime gay icon wanted to do on “Girl” but wasn’t allowed to because, well, it was broadcast TV in the ‘90s. Cho seems a better fit for VH1’s successful celebreality lineup, which also includes shows about Hulk Hogan, former Poison frontman Bret Michaels and ‘80s heartthrob Scott Baio.
The show faces strong competition from the Olympics, obviously, but Cho’s crowd probably isn’t big Games watchers. VH1, which posted the pilot online several days before the show debuted, will also replay the show on its sister Viacom network Logo, aimed at gays and lesbians.
The network could use a new hit.
Its total-day viewership averages among adults 18-49, 18-34 and total viewers were off 11 to 13 percent during second quarter, according to Nielsen data analyzed by Turner Networks.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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NBC
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“Today” (N)
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The crew continues to report from Beijing.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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The 49ers take on the Bears in exhibition play.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Among the events tonight is the men’s 400m final.
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9 p.m.
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truTV
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“Principal’s Office” (R)
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Series premiere. Looking at how principals handle problem kids at school.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Flashpoint” (D)
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The team chases a young man who had been fighting with his father into the woods.
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10 p.m.
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A&E
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“Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force” (R)
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Series premiere. For the “Cops” fans with a special appreciation for stolen vehicle cases.
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10 p.m.
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Comedy Central
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“Gong Show with Dave Attell” (G)
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A contortionist pool player is among the contestants.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd perform.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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A Texas preseason battle between the Texans and Cowboys.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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The men’s and women’s 4X100m relay.
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8 p.m.
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Disney Channel
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“The Cheetah Girls One World” (M)
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New movie should attract the kids.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Monk” (D)
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Monk likes a woman, but of course she’s accused of murder.
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10 p.m.
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TLC
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“Who Are You Wearing” (R)
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Series premiere. Another competition for wannabe designers.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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10 a.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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The women’s basketball gold medal game.
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12:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“Little League World Series” (S)
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The international championship game.
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3:30 p.m.
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Fox
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“Major League Baseball” (S)
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Today it’s Dodgers-Phillies, Braves-Cards or Padres-Giants.
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7:30 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Lots of track, including the men’s marathon and women’s 4X400m relay.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“NFL Football” (S)
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The Vikings host the Steelers in a preseason game.
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9 p.m.
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Hallmark
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“Dear Prudence” (M)
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Jane Seymour plays a workaholic advice guru who gets caught up in a murder case.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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Noon
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Boxing and water polo finals, and a review of Olympic highlights.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“Little League World Series” (S)
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The Little League World Series championship game.
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7 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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The men’s volleyball final and coverage of the closing ceremony.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Big Brother” (R)
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The eviction nominations are revealed.
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9 p.m.
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HBO
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“Generation Kill” (D)
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Series finale. Bravo finally makes it to Baghdad, and the situation isn’t good.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (D)
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Season finale. Goren finds a familiar photo at his mother’s grave.
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10 p.m.
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VH1
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“I Love Money” (R)
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An unlikely duo comes up with a secret plan.
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A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.
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