TVSquad

"Total (Lack of) Recall": Either the House Judiciary Committee loves talking about torture or they haven't been getting any answers during their hearings. Last week, they managed to pull John Ashcroft in for questioning, but they might as well have stayed at home. I can't look at John Ashcroft without thinking of "Let the eagle sooooar", so I'm glad that Jon Stewart brought it up. No mention of Robert Wexler's fantastic "I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do" from The Colbert Report, but we know everyone was thinking it.

Comedy Central has ordered a second season of the weekly series Lewis Black's Root of All Evil. Lauren Carrao, the president of original programming and development, made the announcement today adding that she was thrilled the second season could begin as early as this summer. Of the show's renewal, the comedian joked, "I am conflicted. I am thrilled it's been picked up but it means I have to go back to work."

For those of you unfamiliar with Black's show, it features a rotating set of comedians at a round table discussion of various pop culture topics. The press release gives "Dick Cheney Vs. Paris Hilton" and "beer vs. weed" as examples of past topics. The comedians argue who or what is the most evil and Lewis Black gives the final verdict. He also opens each show with one of his fiery monologues. Lewis Black also talked to TV Squad after the first season began.

Here are some of the comedians who have appeared on the show: Andrew Daly, Greg Giraldo, Andy Kindler, Kathleen Madigan, Patton Oswalt, and Paul F. Tompkins. The show returns on Wednesday July 30th at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

• At 8, ABC has a new Wife Swap, followed by new episodes of Supernanny and Men in Trees.
• CBS has a new Big Brother 9 at 8, then new episodes of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY.
• NBC has a new Deal Or No Deal at 8.
• FOX has the season finale of Moment of Truth at 8, then a new American Idol.
• There's a new America's Next Top Model on The CW at 8.
• At 9, Sci-Fi has a new Ghost Hunters, then a new Destination Truth.
• Travel Channel has two new episodes of John Ratzenberger's Made in America starting at 9.
• At 9:30, HGTV has a new Design on a Dime.
• At 10, TBS has two new episodes of Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
• Comedy Central has a new South Park at 10, followed by a new Lewis Black's Root of All Evil.
• Bravo has a new Top Chef at 10.
• Also at 10, MTV has a Real World reunion show, The Real World Awards Bash.

Check your local TV listings for more.

Earlier this year, Adam told you about the pilot that comedian Lewis Black was filming for Comedy Central titled The Root of All Evil. Back then the show was described as a roundtable discussion a la Politically Incorrect or Real Time with Bill Maher or maybe Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. Well, the network has now picked up the show, and it seems the format has changed (I think).

The show will now feature two celebrities or two pop culture topics that go up against each other. Black will be the moderator and will give the final decision on who "wins" at the end of the show. Comedy Central said the show will put pop culture on trial.

Well, I told you about the pilot taping of The Root of All Evil and Julia actually went to the taping, but now it's official: Comedy Central has picked up the pilot, so keep your eyes peeled so you can judge the show for yourself.

Actually, don't keep your eyes peeled, because peeling your eyes actually makes your vision worse. Many people have experienced irreversible ocular damage because of that metaphor. Nasty business.