Zap2it Fall TV Preview 2008: Cable Comedy and Drama Series

The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle
Sundance Channel

Premieres: Sunday, Sept. 7
Airs: Sundays at 9 p.m.

Stars: Jennifer Saunders, Miranda Richardson, Conleth Hill, Jason Watkins

What's It All About? Vivienne Vyle (Saunders) is the British Jerry Springer, host of exploitive talker "The Vivienne Vyle Show." After a riled-up guest attacks Vivienne on the set, hospitalizing her, she contemplates leaving TV to have a child using her dead husband's frozen sperm. But when ratings skyrocket, Vivienne recommits herself to the show: now with better security and a reluctant clinical psychologist who disapproves of almost everything done on it. This series acquired from the BBC offers plenty of dark and ironic humor, like when Vivienne knocks Oprah's ego while standing in front of a wall-sized portrait of herself and when a solemn memorial service for her late spouse's sperm goes wrong.