But that doesn't change the fact that the pilot is full of sex, sex and more sex. And this rather blatant attempt to break through against "CSI" and "The Apprentice" and grab an audience is a tactic that might have the opposite effect by driving viewers away.

DREW CAREY'S GREEN SCREEN SHOW (7:30 p.m., Ch. 30) is essentially "Who's Line Is It Anyway?" with special effects.

Carey and a group of his pals — including Brad Sherwood, Colin Mochrie, Greg Proops, Jeff Davis, Chip Esten, Jonathan Mangum, Julie Larson, Sean Masterson and Kathy Kinney — perform in front of a live audience doing various improvisation-comedy bits. They're also in front of a green screen (thus, the title), which allows computer wizards to go in afterward and add various backgrounds, animation and other whiz-bang effects.

The goal is to make the effects yet another facet of the improvisation, and it works. Sometimes. Just the way parts of the "regular" comedy work better than other parts.

"It's a tough show to do, but it's worth it, because it's so innovative and funny and unique," Carey said.

Innovative, sure. Unique, OK. Funny, sometimes.

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com