Animal Planet (Saturdays, 10:30 p.m. ET)
Show of the week
You really needn't be an animal lover to enjoy The Pet Shop. Comedian Andy Kindler and his modestly budgeted, tongue-in-cheek talk show are for everyone who likes a little horsing around—including viewers who blindly flip past Animal Planet on the assumption that the comparatively low-profile cable network must be something like wall-to-wall Wild Kingdom. The gimmick here is that show-business guests, domestic animals in tow, chat with Kindler about their pets rather than their pet projects. A sample: Cassandra Peterson (TV horror-film hostess Elvira) revealed that her rottweiler had a romantic relationship with a pit bull. And Kindler accused the rotter of two-timing the gal. But even if this kind of celebrity dish doesn't turn you on, Kindler will draw you into The Pet Shop with his combination of quick wit, who-cares attitude and unfeigned affection for the four-legged talent that climbs all over his couch. He may not be in Johnny Carson's class, but he's pretty darned adept at keeping up the banter while tickling a dog's tummy. And let's add an approving "arf" for the on-camera comedy bits by producer Ed Crasnick.
Bottom Line: No fancy pedigree, but frisky and funny
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