Archive for Monday, December 18, 2006

Game show rewards first impressions

By Kevin McDonough

December 18, 2006

Advertisement

Penn Jillette hosts the game show "Identity" (8 p.m., NBC, airing every night this week). Every contestant faces a panel of 12 strangers and a list of 12 "identities" that describe them. In the pilot, a woman must point out a sushi chef, an organ donor, "the youngest," a break-dancer, etc.

In many ways, "Identity" is the mirror image of "I've Got a Secret," a witty and urbane show that ran from 1952 to 1967 (and was briefly exhumed in 1976).

Don't look for urbane wit here. In fact, the contestant can't even ask questions. "Identity" emphasizes gut reactions and hunches. It's the game-show version of the book "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell, a celebration of the notion that your first instincts are almost always correct. It also rewards contestants - in increments from $1,000 to a cool half million dollars - for exercising the kind of racial, class and gender profiling that would make one uncomfortable if one were on the receiving end of it at an airport security station or a police lineup.

Most game-show hosts tend to be cool, genial types, offering quips and flattery before fading into the background as contestants break into giggles and sweat. As TV presences go, Jillette is hot, not cool. As co-host of Showtime's "B.S.," Jillette projected a volcanic sense of outrage as he deflated politically correct pieties. I loved the show, but it's not the kind of place I'd go looking for the next Pat Sajak or Howie Mandel.

Tonight's other highlights

¢ Even fakers get sick on "House" (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ Eddie Murphy appears on "Inside the Actors Studio" (7 p.m., Bravo).

¢ The Colts host the Bengals in NFL action (7:30 p.m., Eastern, ESPN).

¢ A domestic needs a vacation from her vacation on "Supernanny" (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Passengers fight terrorists on "Flight 93" (8 p.m., A&E), a 2006 TV dramatization of events of Sept. 11, 2001.

¢ Matt aims for a memorable Christmas show on "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Brian knows Bridget's awkward secret on "What About Brian" (9 p.m., ABC).

¢ Al Roker hosts "Innocence for Sale" (10 p.m., Court TV), a look at child prostitution.

¢ Governor and presidential aspirant Tom Vilsack, D-Iowa, appears on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (10 p.m., Comedy Central).

¢ Howie Mandel hosts "Deal or No Deal" (8 p.m., NBC)

¢ Frank Caliendo, Ben Stiller and Rodrigo & Gabriela appear on "Late Show with David Letterman" (11:35 p.m., CBS)

¢ Jay Leno hosts Samuel L. Jackson, Nick Thune and Scott Weiland on "The Tonight Show" (11:35 p.m., NBC)

More like this

Post a comment

Requires free LJWorld.com registration. Register or log in below.

Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

Post a blog entry

You have to be logged in to blog on LJWorld.com. Please log in or sign up.

Learn more about blogging on LJWorld.com.

Top ads RSS

Top jobs · Top rentals · Top transportation

Marketplace

Jazzercise 785-331-4333

Find more businesses on Marketplace

Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services