The host is an acquired taste on “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (IFC, 10 p.m.), a comedy talk show where Scott Auckerman’s arch approach constantly gets in the way of potential mirth.
There’s so much fuss about his bits it’s tough to get to the heart of the matter when funny people come on for interviews. Rather, they’re just subject to more of his brand of humor. Which is a shame since his first guest of the season is Andy Samberg. Reggie Watts, back as musical sidekick, but gets a wider role in filmed segments that eat further into the studio interviews.
The fondest dream of the makers of “Cult” (The CW, 8 and 9 p.m.) is that their show about a show that becomes a dangerously popular pop hit as the fictional show in its story. It was just the opposite: a deadly bomb. So the final two episode of its one season run tonight.
Scheduled guests on a new “Real Time with Bill Maher” (HBO, 10 p.m.) is Bobby Ghosh, Matt Lewis, Liz Mair, Dr. Cornel West and Mike Rowe.
A monthlong, 21 film Friday night salute to director Francois Truffaut on Turner Classic Movies continues with “The Bride Wore Black” (8 p.m.), “Confidentially Yours” (10 p.m.), “Mississippi Mermaid” (midnight), “Such a Gorgeous Kid Like Me” (2:15 a.m.), “Shoot the Piano Player” (4 a.m.) and “Now Playing July” (5:30 a.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Kevin James, Lawrence Zarian. The View: Karina Smirnoff, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Sunda Croonquist, Dr. Doris Day. The Talk: Don Rickles, Miranda Cosgrove, “Design Star” finalists, Regis Philbin. Ellen DeGeneres: Wanda Sykes, Dave Franco (rerun). Wendy Williams: LeAnnRimes.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Melissa McCarthy, Idris Elba, Dale Watson and his Lonestars (rerun). Jay Leno: Bill Hader, Eliot Spitzer, Passenger. Jimmy Kimmel: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Romijn, Steve Martorano (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sam Rockwell, Ciara featuring Future. Craig Ferguson: Jeff Daniels, Sarah Tiana. Carson Daly: Curtis Stone, White Lung (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Dr. Carl Hart. Chelsea Handler: Stephen Moyer, Chris Franjola, Jen Kirkman, Brody Stevens (rerun).