‘Harry’ keeps it real and personal

Harry Connick Jr.

There are so many talk shows on the tube this season that any new chatfest sounds like too much of a good thing—and an indulgent exercise in excess!

Despite this “SRO” situation, however, Harry Connick Jr.’s new talk program, “Harry,” hits the viewing sweet spot, because it’s such a personal “sharing” experience.

“Harry” benefits a lot from its first-time host’s enthusiastic curiosity about all sorts of people—and what makes them tick. They include both stars and “unknowns,” all of whom Connick treats with equal interest and importance.

A particular plus is Harry’s musical bent and experience, which he frequently showcases to give the show its special “zing.”

Even better, his musical numbers aren’t the usual performances with guest stars plugging this show or that album.

The fact that the host is not just a performer but also a songsmith enables him to come up with a much wider range of musical features and showcases.

His most impressive musical feat on “Harry” was an impromptu display of his songwriting gift, with an audience member coming up with a topic on the spot, and Connick instantly creating its music and lyrics! Talk about putting the talky competition in its place, try topping that!

Show biz observers approvingly note that Connick’s new daytime talk show demonstrates his ability to keep growing as an artist and star.

After selling almost 30 million albums worldwide, winning multiple Grammy awards, and mentoring and judging hit TV talent tilts, he could just have comfortably coasted along on his achievements.

Instead, he accepted the very different challenge of hosting his own program, with its own set of standards to be set and problems to be solved—and has more than passed muster.

He’s done so by deciding to be just himself. Being a family man, that partly means focusing on stay-at-home viewers, which in turn requires him to go against his stellar image and hunky good looks, and sometimes underscore his husband and dad personas.

When pulled off by some stars, that sudden shift may come off looking and feeling forced, but Harry’s down-home “cred,” boosted by his folk and jazz musical roots, enable him to make it look natural and real.

To keep his show fresh and varied, Connick sometimes opts to do an entire program on just one topic or theme, like a special that featured teenagers who made a big difference in their respective communities.

Most of the time, however, Harry’s easy-breezy Southern charm, wit and “touch” are more than enough to make the time fly for viewers who have gotten to dote on his show—enough for it to be renewed for another season.

Some other new TV programs haven’t lasted nearly that long, so Harry must be doing something—right and real!