Arguably, the least talked about subject on television is television. In a weird and welcome twist, a talk show about the subject arrives on the TV Guide Network, right after their airings of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (9 p.m., TV Guide).

After securing the rights to Larry David’s brilliantly scripted and cringe-worthy HBO comedies about the self-inflicted social mortifications of a man named Larry David, the TV Guide Network was faced with the unwelcome prospect of hacking up episodes to fit into a half-hour spot. Instead, they added something new.

After every “Curb,” series star Susie Essman conducts a panel discussion of the preceding episode, prodding friends and guests — including Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Hamm, D.L. Hughley, Dave Navarro, Rob Zombie and many others — to discuss Larry’s peculiar choices and predicaments.

I had a chance to speak with Larry David about the “Curb” episodes and Essman’s bookends. As audaciously blunt as his character, David kidded, “We’re just trying to waste a little time here.” But I think there’s more to it.

The recent outpouring of conversation about “Lost” on the Internet and in print reveals the pent-up hunger for passionate conversation about shows and what they mean. Maybe these little “Curb” chats will point the way.

Television offers endless opportunities to watch people screaming about politics or sports. Entire networks are devoted to shopping, cooking, hammering nails and the weather. Why not a television show about television shows? It’s not a show about nothing, but it might work.

• During my brief chat with Larry David, I asked him whether he thought it seemed strange that after creating “Seinfeld,” a show once famous for its philosophy of “No Hugging, No Learning,” that we should see a talk show about the “lessons” of “Curb.” He said he hadn’t thought about such matters and that he devoted his time to “making comedies that make people laugh.”

The difficulty of that endeavor can be seen on the new sitcom “Are We There Yet?” (8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., TBS), based on a movie produced by Ice Cube.

Terry Crews, so warm, three-dimensional and believable on “Everybody Hates Chris,” is stranded here as the new stepfather in a blended family featuring a gorgeous, strident younger wife (Essence Atkins) and two wretchedly precocious kids who refuse to call him “Dad.”

Ice Cube plays a strange brother-in-law with some vague CIA background. He’s greeted with uproarious applause every time he enters a scene.

The louder the laugh track got, the more I realized I hadn’t laughed once.

Tonight’s other highlights

• A smart “Modern Family” (8 p.m., ABC) script makes even a product placement seem heartwarming.

• DNA evidence derails a sure thing on “CSI: NY” (9 p.m., CBS).

• Rachel vanishes on “Happy Town” (9 p.m., ABC), returning from hiatus.

• A new case seems familiar on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).

• A mob-connected witness suffers a health scare on “In Plain Sight” (9 p.m., USA).

• Pageant antics continue on the third season of “Toddlers and Tiaras” (9 p.m., TLC).

• The diminutive duke it out on “Half Pint Brawlers” (10 p.m., Spike).