Lewis Black is just trying to make sense of the world with his 'Back in Black' segments on 'The Daily Show' (Weeknights, 11PM ET on Comedy Central).

This time around it was Dr. Oz' misguided warnings about arsenic in apple juice, and the American Family Association's outrage over Chaz Bono participating on 'Dancing With the Stars.'

For the latter, Black was confused by why Bono is the target of so much anger. He showed clips of people claiming that watching Bono on the show might convince young impressionable viewers to consider changing their own gender, which does seem unlikely.

But more specifically, he wondered where this outcry has been for some of their past contestants. He cited David Hasselhoff (alcoholic), Holly Madison (pornographer's concubine), The Situation and Kim Kardashian.

After a threatening letter arrived at the studio for 'The Late Late Show' (Weeknights, 12:37AM ET on CBS) with white powder in it, which was ultimately declared harmless, the show went on and Lewis Black came on as Craig Ferguson's guest.

"It's always really a joy to drive up for a big night on television and see cops everywhere," Black said of the state in the studio when he arrived. When Ferguson asked if he'd ever gotten any threats like that, Black insisted, "I have no affect on the world, so they don't care. They don't even notice me."

It sounded like Black would love the validation of a threatening letter with some mysterious white powder in it, though we're certainly not endorsing anyone sending him anything. As for the powder, it turned out to just be corn starch, so maybe Ferguson simply had an angry fan who liked to cook.

Lewis Black is never afraid to speak his mind. He usually does so in a very loud voice and with very emphatic hand gestures. It's kind of hard not to notice him. But as he explained on 'The Green Room with Paul Provenza' (Thu., 11PM ET on Showtime), he told his audiences he wouldn't make jokes about Sarah Palin, even though she "was like for me a mother lode."

It must have come as quite a shock, considering Black's very open liberal stance and left-leaning viewpoints. Why would he avoid a target that other comedians have been piling on for years? Especially as he tends to get very political and cerebral in his rants already. She's tailor-made for his point of view.

"I could not live in this world if I believed she was a real person," he explained of Palin. "And so, I have for the entire time that she's been around, treated her as a hallucination."

AMC has done wonders with dramatic series like 'Mad Men' and 'Breaking Bad' but hasn't really tried to crack the comedy bubble yet.

Their first and biggest attempt to date comes in the form of a "mini-com" called 'Life Coach' starring former 'SNL'-er Cheri Oteri as Liza, a life counselor with some major life control problems of her own. The show serves as both a web series and a buffer between AMC's Monday night movies.

The episodes will feature celebrity appearances including comedians Lewis Black and Kathleen Madigan, CNN talking face Nancy Grace and actor and 'Perfect Strangers' star Mark Linn-Baker.

When Lewis Black went off at the Emmys a couple of years ago about TV becoming obnoxious with the amount of information splayed on the screen, he hit the nail right on the head. Sad to say, things have not gotten better since that rant. In fact, they're worse. I don't know what's worse, the annoying pop-up ads on the television screen or the annoying pop-up ads on the computer screen. At least in the case of the latter, it's the equivalent of a commercial and -- somewhat -- understandable.

But when you're watching a television show and have to ignore the bug in the corner, then be subjected to a variety of pop-up promotions and reminders for shows you may or may not be interested in watching it's enough to make you turn off the set. I'd say it's enough to make you switch channels, but where can you go to avoid the intrusion? PBS?

(S03E02) I really want to hear from you guys about this episode, because as I was watching it, I was thinking, "Oh, man. People are going to be pissed." I'm talking, of course, about the fact that for most of the episode, it appeared that once again, after we waited patiently for Leonard and Penny to get together, the writers would find some reason to rip them back apart, only to give us yet another season of, "will they or won't they."

It wouldn't have been that implausible. Sometimes, if you spend all of your time building something up in your head, it doesn't live up to expectations. It's not completely unreasonable that after years of pining, it turns out that Leonard and Penny simply aren't compatible beyond friendships. That's life -- but it's certainly not satisfying.

For thirteen years, Lewis Black has been ranting and raving as a correspondent for The Daily Show, venting about all things political and pop cultural. For much longer than that, he's been a an actor, a playwright, and stand-up comedian, playing clubs and theaters everywhere around the country.

He taped his latest special, Stark Raving Black, earlier this month in Detroit for a fall release in theaters October 8th before it heads to a new premium HB cable channel called Epix, where it will debut December 5. (Black also filmed a documentary about his transition from a writer to a comedian - he's unsure where that will end up). And Big Bang Theory fans will be happy to know he'll be doing a cameo on the show September 28. I spoke with him by phone last week.

Why release the new special theatrically?

In order to... I think... I've got no idea. Everyone around me seemed to think it was a smart idea. Why not? I'm interested in seeing how that works and if it does work. It's another way to reach people.

Sherri Shepherd's new Lifetime comedy series, 'Sherri,' has found an Oct. 5 premiere date.

Also in the news today: Comedy Central picks up 'Tosh.0' for six additional episodes, while Joe Morgan lands a significant role on 'Brothers & Sisters.'

See more of today's top TV headlines after the jump.

A lot of memories have surfaced of the good times that pop icon and musical genius Michael Jackson provided the world in the wake of his untimely and unfortunate death. However, an elephant in the room has wedged its wide butt in between the happy memories that range from "Billy Jean" to "Rockin' Robin," other than the eye-bleedingly bad Moonwalker movie.

Jackson's life outside of the recording studio and in the blood-soaked pages of the supermarket tabloids provided a lot of fodder for comedies and comedians that turned the man into a punchline just as fast as the radio waves turned him into a legend.

Since programming anything new is probably a waste on a holiday weekend, Comedy Central is programming roughly 4,000 previously aired stand-up specials (okay, just 40, but that's a lot) from some of the biggest names on its rosters, including Dane Cook, Jeff Dunham, Katt Williams, Louis C.K., Lewis Black, Brian Regan, Demetri Martin, Ron White, Lisa Lampanelli, and Jim Gaffigan. They'll also sprinkle in some of their Comedy Central Presents half-hour showcases. It's called the Stand-Up Blowout Weekend.

The first special is at 3 PM - Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live at the Fillmore and end, officially, with Drew Hastings: Irked and Miffed at 3 AM Monday morning. Sunday at 10PM is the network premiere of Dave Attell: Captain Miserable, which originally aired on HBO on December 8, 2007.

The History Channel has gained the nickname "The Hitler Channel" among some I know for its constant airing of World War II specials (many of featuring, well, Hitler). Perhaps they were thinking of that reputation when they put together their new slate of specials, which, according to Broadcasting & Cable, includes specials hosted by Jon Stewart and Lewis Black of The Daily Show.

Stewart will be given two hours with which to target the immigration issue in a special called The Naturalized. Considering the current economic implications of immigration and its role in last year's presidential campaign, there should be plenty for Stewart to work with to keep the special current. Stewart has already begun work on it, according to B&C. The special will follow eight people on the track to becoming U.S. citizens. the special will air in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Lewis Black's second season of Root of All Evil is back next week. And the topics on the premiere are close to my heart: Ultimate Fighting Vs. Bloggers. Because I am both a blogger and an ultimate fighter (okay, maybe not the second one), I will definitely be tuning in to see Patton Oswalt and Andrew Daly argue the case for each and hear Black's final judgment on which is more evil. I have a sinking feeling it's going to be bloggers.

The show is also getting a few new comedians. Jerry Minor and Andrea Savage will join Daly, Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, Andy Kindler, Kathleen Madigan, and Paul F.Thompkins. And here's some of the other topics: Steriods Vs. Boob Jobs, Disney Vs. Scientology, Strip Clubs Vs. Sororities, Olympic Games Vs. Drinking Games, NRA Vs. PETA, and The Hills Vs. Rocket Scientists. I think the Disney Vs. Scientology episode is going to be especially funny. Which debate do you think will be good?

Root of All Evil premieres on July 30th at 10:30 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.

"Total (Lack of) Recall": Either the House Judiciary Committee loves talking about torture or they haven't been getting any answers during their hearings. Last week, they managed to pull John Ashcroft in for questioning, but they might as well have stayed at home. I can't look at John Ashcroft without thinking of "Let the eagle sooooar", so I'm glad that Jon Stewart brought it up. No mention of Robert Wexler's fantastic "I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do" from The Colbert Report, but we know everyone was thinking it.

Comedy Central has ordered a second season of the weekly series Lewis Black's Root of All Evil. Lauren Carrao, the president of original programming and development, made the announcement today adding that she was thrilled the second season could begin as early as this summer. Of the show's renewal, the comedian joked, "I am conflicted. I am thrilled it's been picked up but it means I have to go back to work."

For those of you unfamiliar with Black's show, it features a rotating set of comedians at a round table discussion of various pop culture topics. The press release gives "Dick Cheney Vs. Paris Hilton" and "beer vs. weed" as examples of past topics. The comedians argue who or what is the most evil and Lewis Black gives the final verdict. He also opens each show with one of his fiery monologues. Lewis Black also talked to TV Squad after the first season began.

Here are some of the comedians who have appeared on the show: Andrew Daly, Greg Giraldo, Andy Kindler, Kathleen Madigan, Patton Oswalt, and Paul F. Tompkins. The show returns on Wednesday July 30th at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

In the last twelve years, Lewis Black has gone from being "that angry guy on The Daily Show" to a comedy icon. Now, he finally has his own show.

In Lewis Black's Root of All Evil, which airs on Wednesdays at 10:30 PM ET on Comedy Central, two comedians argue why the pop culture item they represent is "the root of all evil." Last week's premiere episode, for instance, pitted Oprah against the Catholic church. Black plays the judge who controls the proceedings and makes the ultimate verdict. Sounds corny, but the first episode, which featured Paul F. Tompkins and Greg Giraldo, was wickedly funny and just a tiny bit subversive, everything you want in a good comedy.

I spoke to Black by phone last week; he was in Atlantic City on his stand-up tour. We discussed everything from the 2008 election to being on a cable news show with Ben Stein to sharing a jail cell with Jim Norton. The interview is after the jump.