Fanboys still have a place to play — but now they also have a place to get some culture.
When Monday night’s debut of the men’s network Esquire was announced last spring, the original plan was for it to replace 11-year-old gaming network G4.
But earlier this month, it was revealed that G4 would stay put and, instead, Esquire Network’s focus on travel, food, fashion and adventure would move into the cable spot used by the Style network. On Sept. 9, citing an internal memo, The Hollywood Reporter said NBC executives deemed Style content “redundant” to that on other women’s channels under the NBC umbrella, like Bravo, E! and Oxygen.
The move conceivably leaves a roster of Style shows without a home — including “Giuliana and Bill” and “Jerseylicious” — but an Esquire spokesperson told The Post via email last week that the network “is expected to include Style programming in its lineup, but we are working out all of the details now; everything is being evaluated.”
In the meantime, the NBC partnership with the iconic men’s monthly kicks off at 9 p.m. tonight with a two-hour special, “Esquire’s 80th,” a historical look at the magazine known for its provocative covers and classic writers, from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Tom Wolfe.
And starting tomorrow, Esquire will offer original programming that would make any couch potato drop his PlayStation controller and consider tailored suits, trips to France solely for the food and Ironman races in far-flung locales.
Here are some of the Esquire shows that will roll out this week.
“KNIFE FIGHT”
Tuesday at 9 p.m.
WHAT IT IS: Two chefs must create multi-course meals with surprise ingredients in under an hour.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: It’s the anti-Gordon Ramsay of food contests. “Knife Fight” trades arguments between chefs for culinary dexterity.
IT’S BETTER THAN GAMING BECAUSE: Have you ever prepared the Italian dessert sabayon in under five minutes, or filleted a live, angry, flopping catfish? Didn’t think so.
THE APPEAL FOR MEN: At 21 minutes, plus commercials, it’s a food show for people who really can’t concentrate .
“BREW DOGS”
Tuesday at 10 p.m.
WHAT IT IS: A pair of Scottish beer brewers visit cities from San Diego to Philadelphia, where they create offbeat ales and engage in “craft beer virgin conversions” with non-beer-drinking strangers.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Charmingly unpolished hosts James Watt and Martin Dickie use ingredients like scorpion chili peppers and Pacific Ocean kelp, just for the fun of it.
IT’S BETTER THAN GAMING BECAUSE: You get to watch them turn a group of domino-playing ladies at a senior center into new brew fans.
THE APPEAL FOR MEN: Beer. Duh.
“THE GETAWAY”
Wednesday at 9 p.m.
WHAT IT IS: A celebrity travelogue — guides include Aziz Ansari, Ryan Kwanten and Aisha Tyler — who take viewers on culinary and cultural tours of cities like Hong Kong, Belfast, Ireland, and even New York City.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: The stars’ unscripted moments. Ansari nearly shrieks at a Hong Kong snake soup restaurant that keeps live vipers and cobras in long, wooden drawers.
IT’S BETTER THAN GAMING BECAUSE: A bawdy Tyler offers seduction tips at a Paris wine bar. “If you wanna get your girl unhooked, pour her a glass of champagne.”
THE APPEAL FOR MEN: Have we mentioned Aisha Tyler?
“BOUNDLESS”
Wednesday at 10 p.m
WHAT IT IS: Canadian athletes Paul “Turbo” Trebilcock, 46, and Simon Donato, 36, run, swim, bike ride and paddle in eight tough endurance races over a five-month period — for a total of 1,000K (621 miles).
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Whether enduring a 250K ultra-marathon in sub-zero Iceland or a 55K paddle kayak race in tropical Hawaii, these guys make a stint on “Survivor” look like a leisurely Sunday picnic in Central Park.
IT’S BETTER THAN GAMING BECAUSE: Viewers will get an adrenaline rush just watching the extremes they endure.
THE APPEAL FOR MEN: It may actually get you to venture outdoors for fun and much-needed exercise, even in the pending dead of winter.