Susie has last word on ‘Curb’

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 airings of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (10 p.m.).

After securing the rights to Larry David’s brilliantly scripted, 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, it added something new. After every “Curb,” 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 David about the “Curb” episodes and Essman’s bookends. As audaciously blunt as his character, he kiddedL “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.

•TBS introduces a new sitcom, “Are We There Yet?” (9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.), based on a movie produced by Ice Cube.

Terry Crews, so warm 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 who’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.

Other highlights

A smart “Modern Family” (9 p.m., ABC, r) makes even product placement seem heartwarming.

DNA evidence derails a sure thing on “CSI: NY” (10 p.m., CBS, r).

Rachel vanishes on “Happy Town” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14), returning from hiatus.

A new case seems familiar on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC, r).

A mob-connected witness suffers a health scare on “In Plain Sight” (10 p.m., USA).

Pageant antics continue on the third season of “Toddlers & Tiaras” (10 p.m., TLC).

The diminutive duke it out on “Half Pint Brawlers” (11 p.m., Spike).

Cult choice

John Huston’s final film, his 1987 adaptation of James Joyce’s “The Dead” (5 p.m., TCM), stars his daughter Anjelica.

Series notes

“Losing it with Jillian Michaels” (8 p.m. NBC) … “So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m., Fox).

Late night

Morgan Freeman is scheduled on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) … Cat Deeley and Charlie Murphy appear on “Lopez Tonight” (11 p.m., TBS) … Ashton Kutcher, Larry Miller, Michael Ammar, Brooks and Dunn and Reba McEntire are on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS, r) … Jay Leno welcomes Jessica Simpson, Jackie Earle Haley and Dierks Bentley on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC, r) … Craig Ferguson hosts Evangeline Lilly, Charlyne Yi and Laraf on “The Late Late Show” (12:37 a.m., CBS).