I meant to write this up earlier, but — in an effort to be fair to a show I judged without seeing — I actually took the time to watch “The Marriage Ref” last Thursday. And while I don’t like the show’s concept or host Tom Papa, I’ll readily admit that Larry David and Ricky Gervais make for outstanding entertainment (Madonna, meanwhile, came through with a “NOT!” punchline from Wayne’s World. Haha, good one, Madonna).

But the highlight had to have been when Ricky Gervais broke down into hysterics and showed his incredulity at being on the show, which felt to me like a tacit admission that he’d been roped in against his will.

What is going on?!?  [laughs] What is going on? This is a strange programme! I feel like someone’s put crack in my drink. What is going on? This is the weirdest show I’ve ever been on. I mean, it’s already weird. It’s weird with you two [gestures at Madonna and Larry David], there’s people behind [points to audience above stage] — I don’t know what they’re doing up there.

I don’t know, watch the video below (via Inside TV). It’s funnier when he says it. You need the British accent and his high-pitched cackle to make it work. I even tried spelling “program” the English way, but the humor just doesn’t translate. Kinda like when Tom Papa tries to be funny.

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“And what is the DEAL with married people arguing?” Ha ha, good one Jerry.

The Marriage Ref (NBC) — Series Premiere. Oh, you thought the 30 minutes on Sunday were terrible? It’s a FULL HOUR, people. And that’s tonight’s panel: Seinfeld with Tina Fey and Eva Longoria Parker.

The Office (NBC) — Anyone out there still watching this? I guess Pam gives birth tonight. And we get it for a full hour instead of “30 Rock.” Yay. (creepy image via here and here)

CSI: Original Flavor (CBS) — A member of the band Rascal Flatts is electrocuted by his own guitar in a (sadly) fictional story. Doesn’t “Rascal Flatts” sound like the worst apartment building ever? It should be an abandoned double-wide overrun with squirrels.

Burn Notice (USA) — Season finale. Awww, I always get sad when good TV shows have their season finales.

Project Runway (Lifetime) — I admit, I kind of miss watching this show. This is YOUR fault, Lifetime.

Real Housewives of Different Places (Bravo) — The O.C. women have their finale, immediately followed by the season 3 premiere of the New York City broads. Guhhhhh.

Archer (FX) — New episode tonight. “I’m afraid the lemur got into the pudding cups.” “Like I told you he would!”

This fall, NBC rolled out what might have been the best two-hour block of Thursday comedy programming in network history. However, after the Olympics, the Jerry Seinfeld-produced “Marriage Ref” gets added to NBC’s Thursday nights, and it. Looks. TERRIBLE. Wow. Like, I’m almost impressed by how unfunny it seems.

Basically, Tom Papa hosts a show in which married couples air a grievance against one another, and a celebrity panel (shown here: Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, and Kelly Ripa) determines the argument’s winner. It sounds simple and boring enough, but the execution is especially lifeless and soul-sucking. I’ve always thought that Baldwin has enough to carry an entire show by himself, but “The Marriage Ref” disproves that theory in the span of 30 seconds. I’d rather volunteer at an abortion clinic next to a munitions factory in Arkansas than watch this show.

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NBC has signed up for a one-hour reality show starring Jerry Seinfeld that will focus on resolving the disputes of married couples.

The comedian’s project is tentatively called “The Marriage Ref” and features celebrities, comedians and athletes who will judge couples in the midst of marital disputes while recommending various strategies to resolve their problems…

NBC co-chair Ben Silverman said Seinfeld pitched the show as a companion piece of sorts to his classic sitcom. The comedian increasingly has used married life for material in his stand-up act. So while being a bachelor inspired “Seinfeld,” the comedian’s married years will inspire his unscripted program.

I’m cautiously optimistic about this.  Seinfeld had some measure of success with the last show he was on, if I remember correctly.  As long as it does a lot of Seinfeld being funny and minimizes the braindead athletes and celebrities as guest judges, this has a chance to be watchable.  There’s my ringing endorsement.

This is off-topic, but remember when Seinfeld was like 40 and dating a teenage Shoshanna Lonstein?  Did she have some big cans or what?