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TV This Week

Comedy Central’s it girl finally returns

Fourth-season bow of 'Inside Amy Schumer' marks her cable return

By Louisa Ada Seltzer

April 21, 2016

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comedy central Amy Schumer was catching fire last spring, as the third season of “Inside Amy Schumer” came to a close.

Then the comedienne’s movie, “Trainwreck,” came out. She went from rising star to Hollywood A-list. Her film made $140.8 million at the box office, she landed on the cover of countless magazines, she headlined an HBO special, she became BFFs with Jennifer Lawrence, she danced on Billy Joel’s piano in a video that went viral.

Now, finally, she returns to “Inside,” which bows season four tonight at 10 p.m., as one of the hottest stars around.

But Schumer still clearly has her sense of humor. In an ad promoting the new season, a doctor tells an ailing Schumer she’s suffering from overexposure, citing all of her many media exploits.

That overexposure could help lift ratings for the Comedy Central show, which has been a steady draw on TV. Its strength, though, has been sketches that go viral online after airing.

“Last F**kable Day” drew more than 5 million plays on YouTube last year, while “Girl, You Don’t Need Makeup” drew nearly 5 million.

At the least, Schumer has some of the best celebrity cameos on basic cable. Among those appearing this season are “Hamilton’s” equally hot Lin-Manuel Miranda, Liam Neeson, Selena Gomez and Julianne Moore.

A look at this week’s top TV draws

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 p.m.

TNT

“NBA Basketball” (S)

Tonight’s playoff doubleheader includes Thunder-Mavs and Warriors-Rockets.

8 p.m.

ABC

“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)

The doctors try to save a boy who was accidentally shot.

9 p.m.

Lifetime

“Project Runway All Stars” (R)

The designers make avant-garde looks inspired by modern art.

10 p.m.

Comedy Central

“Inside Amy Schumer” (C)

Season premiere. Amy auditions for “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

10 p.m.

Cooking Channel

“Cheap Eats” (R)

Series premiere. A food blogger has $35 to spend on a day’s worth of meals in different cities each episode. First up is Austin.

10:30 p.m.

truTV

“Comedy Knockout” (R)

Series premiere. Reality competition in which three comedians take part in fast-paced challenges.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

“The Vampire Diaries” (D)

Enzo tries to protect Bonnie, but he ends up putting her life in danger.

8:30 p.m.

ABC

“Dr. Ken” (C)

Season finale. Ken considers getting into the comedy business.

9 p.m.

CBS

“Hawaii Five-0” (D)

A chemical spill allows six inmates to escape prison.

9:30 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball” (S)

Game three of the playoff series between the Spurs and Grizzlies.

10 p.m.

USA

“Motive” (D)

The 16-year-old daughter of a recent murder victim is kidnapped.

10 p.m.

Cinemax

“Banshee” (D)

Bunker takes a risk, and a new murder in town puts everyone on edge.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

Time

Network

Program

Description

3 p.m.

CBS

“PGA Tour Golf” (S)

Third round of the Valero Texas Open from TPC San Antonio.

8 p.m.

NBC

“NHL Hockey” (S)

A primetime playoff game on broadcast, teams TBD.

8 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball” (S)

Game four between the Thunder and Mavs, followed by game four of Clippers-Blazers.

8 p.m.

Lifetime

“Jack of the Red Hearts” (M)

A teen runaway convinces a family to let her care for their autistic daughter.

9 p.m.

CMT

“Outlaw” (A)

Musical special honoring Waylon Jennings.

9 p.m.

Discovery Channel

“Sherpa” (N)

Two-hour documentary looking at the lives of Sherpa people.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

Fox

“The Simpsons” (C)

Can the long-running animated comedy rebound from its recent run of low ratings?

9 p.m.

HBO

“Game of Thrones” (D)

Season premiere. The new season picks up with Daenerys meeting a strong man.

9 p.m.

“I Am Cait” (R)

Season finale. The reality show wraps up season two.

9 p.m.

CNN

“Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (N)

Season premiere. Bourdain starts the new season with a look at Manila, Philippines.

10 p.m.

ABC

“Quantico” (D)

The students meet with various FBI branches on career day.

10 p.m.

HBO

“Silicon Valley” (C)

Season premiere. Richard tries to deal with the fact that he’s no longer CEO of Pied Piper.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.

Tags: Amy Schumer, comedy central, inside amy schumer, thursday tv this week, tv this week