Hardcore TV," an adults-only comedy series consisting of sketches linked by preppy-looking host David Konig, achieves its goal of shattering stereotypes, but also encourages it on other levels. Show, overabundant in profanity and nudity, should prove popular.

Hardcore TV,” an adults-only comedy series consisting of sketches linked by preppy-looking host David Konig, achieves its goal of shattering stereotypes, but also encourages it on other levels. Show, overabundant in profanity and nudity, should prove popular.

Humor in the show derives from ridiculing network TV. It’s very funny at times but erratic on the whole, and some of the sketches seem to have been thrown in for shock value alone.

HBO has skedded three episodes of the show (subsequent ones air March 12 and 19). Regular sketches in all three segments include “Fairytales From the Darkside,””Rastapiece Theater,””Cindy’s Sex Talk” and “Fly-Fishing Jam,” with funny stabs at infomercials and TV ads included.

Show takes aim at stereotypes of minority groups, and spoofs on the overuse of sex in commercials are on target. However, show perpetuates its own stereotypes and sexual obsessions as lots of big-breasted women run around “Benny Hill” style.

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It’s never clear what the role of host Konig is, as he strolls around a surreal set, never actually introducing the skits but instead offering unrelated commentary and sometimes joining in on jokes.

The fast-paced sketches include many talented young comedians — Greer Barnes , Randy Cameron, Susie Essman, Claudia Fielding, Laurence Mason and Anna Thomson — with several celebs in cameos making fun of theirown personas, including Danny Bonaduce, Bullwinkle, Ray (Boom Boom) Mancini and football’s Leonard Marshall.

“Hardcore” pushes all the boundaries that cable allows and should be admired for taking risks. But as this show proves, when you gamble, you don’t win each time.

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Hardcore Tv

(Sat. (6), 12:30-1 a.m., HBO)

• Production: Taped by Pirate Prods. for HBO. Exec producers-writers, David Kolin, Steve Kerper; supervising producer, Deborah H. Liebling; director, Alan Cohn.
• Crew: Camera, Paul Koestner; editors, Cohn, Jim Romaine; sound, Michael Levy, Paul Alvarez-Moran, Jerry Stein; art director, Edy Ferguson; music, Mark Richardson.
• Cast: Host: David Konig. Cast: Greer Barnes, Randy Cameron, Susie Essman, Claudia Fielding, Laurence Mason, Anna Thomson, Joe Furey, Wes Heywood, David Kolin, Paula Lenske, Theresa Lyn, Leonard Marshall, Mia Nolan, Thea Nolan, Rick Pasqualone, James Rosenthal, Danny Bonaduce, Maria Cantone, Kimberly Flynn, Ray Mancini, Alan Mintz, Tim Blake Nelson, Billy Padgett, Larry Block, Patrick J. Frederic, Artie Fuqua, Jeff Lagemen, Stephen Pearlman, Gregory Wolfe.

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