'Politically Incorrect' renewed through 1998

LOS ANGELES - The ABC network announced this week that
"Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," the first legitimate hit
program to follow "ABC News Nightline" in late night, has been
renewed through 1998.
In addition, executive producer Scott Carter said Monday that the
free-wheeling panel discussion show would do a week's worth of shows
from Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C., the first week of November.
"Politically Incorrect" has been critically well received since
moving from Comedy Central to ABC in January, and more than 3 million
viewers a night watch it in late night. Kansas City is one of the
show's highest-rated markets and would likely be the No. 1 market for
"Politically Incorrect" if KMBC, Channel 9, didn't delay it by 90
minutes.
This month "Politically Incorrect" is also airing in prime
time, with a live broadcast at 9 p.m. Thursdays and a repeat at 9:30.
As prime-time programs go, "Politically Incorrect" is not faring
well. But its audience is about twice that of its late night turnout
and ABC says it is simply using the time to expose the show to more
viewers.
Thursday's scheduled prime-time guests include Pat Boone and Jon
Stewart. Carter said next week's prime-time hour will include a show
with Marilyn Manson, Florence Henderson and G. Gordon Liddy.