Count on Jimmy Kimmel to do a good job as keynote comedian at this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner (CSPAN, approximately 9:40 p.m.). He’s done well in other high profile hosting gigs, and seems unflappable. He also has a way to be fearless in his humor while seeming easy-going about it all.
Kimmel replaces Louis C.K., who originally had the gig but dropped it when he realized how every foul mouthed thing he’ said about conservative politicians would be dredged up in some sort of false equivalency argument counter-balancing Rush Limbaugh’s “slut” comment. He didn’t need the trouble.
Kimmel thrives on it, and to succeed he’ll have to be better than Barack Obama who had the kind of confidence in his delivery last year that comes with knowing he’s killing Osama bin Laden on the other side of the world at the same time.
Some of the night’s weirdest viewing is the red carpet beforehand, which CSPAN presents as “White House Correspondents’ Dinner Arrivals” (C-Span, 6:30 p.m.). showing the inexplicable and often surreal pairings of old pols and young Hollywood. Among those said to be attending this year: George Clooney and Stacy Kiebler, Sofia Vergara, Elizabeth Banks, Daniel Day-Lewis, Claire Danes, Chris Christie, Christa Miller, Paul Rudd, Zooey Deschanel, Stevie Wonder ,Reese Witherspoon, Lindsay Lohan, Goldie Hawn, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Viola Davis.
From about 7:20 to 9:40 they’ll show highlights from past dinners.
The new TV movie “Duke” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.) stars Steven Weber as a veteran who leaves his family, but the film is more concerned with how he reunites with his beloved dog. It’s meant to be uplifting nd warm, but can’t help from being maudlin and sticky, and utterly predictable.
The other original movie on TV tonight is “Space Twister” (Syfy, 9 p.m.) which is not about an astronaut’s game but a cylone from beyond.
Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts star in “Larry Crowne” (HBO, 8 p.m.), making its debut on premium cable. Also on tonight: Kevin James in “Zookeeper” (Starz, 9 p.m.) and Natalie Portman Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rainn Wilson star in “Hesher” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.).
Fans of the excellent new comedy “Veep” (HBO2, 9:30 p.m.) will be interested in “The Thick of It” (BBC America, midnight), the profane comedy about UK politicians. It’s from the same creator, Armando Iannucci.
Whatever happened to the worst villain in “Survivor” history? Well, Russell Hantz is hosting a new show, “Flipped Off” (A&E, 9 p.m.) which is about flipping houses.
The NBA Playoffs begin with these Game 1 first round games: 76ers at Bulls (TNT, 1 p.m.), Knicks at Heat (ABC, 3:30 p.m.), Magic at Pacers (ESPN, 7 p.m.) and Mavericks at Thunder (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.).
The NHL moves to the conference semifinals with Capitals at Rangers (NBC, 3 p.m.) and Kings at Blues (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.), both at game one.
Trevor Howard is the star on Turner Classic Movies in “The Third Man” (8 p.m.), “Brief Encounter” (10 p.m.), “Mutiny on the Bounty” (11:30 p.m.), “The Charge of the Light Brigade” (2:45 a.m.) and “The Golden Salamander” (5 a.m.).
Is the NFL Draft (ESPN, noon) still interesting as it goes from the third to seventh round?
In a WBC light heavyweight championship (HBO, 10:15 p.m.) of Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson.
A 29-year-old “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m.) features Roy Orbison, in color.
A repeat of “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 1:30 p.m.) is hosted by Channing Tatum and features Bon Iver as music guest.