Who said reality television was dead? More than a dozen reality shows premiere over the next month, and it’s a sign of the genre’s health. As many scripted shows introduced in the fall have, well, fallen, the networks have begun patching holes with cheap, quick and still-popular reality programming. Here’s a preview of the ones that will be talked about the most:
SHOW: “Average Joe 2: Hawaii”
9 p.m. Monday, NBC
WHAT IT IS: Just like “Average Joe” the first, but with more hunks and dorkier guys.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The most annoying reality contestant ever? Wacky-hair David needs Ritalin. Bad.
BUZZ: It’ll be good, maybe not as good as the first. Worth a fair shot.
SHOW: “The Real World: San Diego”
9 p.m. Tuesday, MTV
WHAT IT IS: The latest installment of the reality granddaddy, this time in sunny San Diego.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: An arrest! Might top Hawaii’s Ruthie drunk driving as the most “real” RW moment.
BUZZ: The venerable series is showing its age, or rather, youth, and losing its gimmick-free appeal.
SHOW: “Celebrity Mole Yucatan”
9 p.m. Wednesday, ABC
WHAT IT IS: The latest version of the franchise, with contestants trying to sniff out the saboteur.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Keshia Knight-Pulliam (Rudy from “The Cosby Show”) and Dennis Rodman.
BUZZ: Rabid devotees will try to convert you. You must resist!
SHOW: “The Apprentice”
Premieres at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, then airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, NBC
WHAT IT IS: Donald Trump searches for a right-hand person to run one of his companies.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: A snapshot of big business, with a special focus on gender difference.
BUZZ: “America’s Next Top Model” for the Wall Street set. Also, a wet kiss for the Donald.
Nevertheless, mildly interesting.
SHOW: “The Surreal Life”
8 p.m. Sunday, WB
WHAT IT IS: Six quasi- and ex-celebrities living together in one house. What happens when they stop being polite and start being surreal?
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Vanilla Ice, Tammy Faye Bakker, Erik Estrada.
Will the “Real World: Las Vegas'” Trishelle and Ron Jeremy hook up?
BUZZ: Other than for extreme curiosity, a pathetic excuse for dragging these people into the spotlight again.
SHOW: “America’s Next Top Model”
8 p.m. Jan. 13, UPN
WHAT IT IS: Tyra Banks judging a bunch of slim, pretty women on their ability to walk a straight line in expensive clothes.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Catfights! A bunch of pretty women with each thinking she’s the prettiest leads to insecurity, competition and tears.
BUZZ: Underrated first season that slowly developed an audience should turn second season into UPN’s best series since “Buffy.”
SHOW: “The Bachelorette”
8 p.m. Jan. 14, ABC
WHAT IT IS: ABC’s reality crown jewel hands the reigns back to the women, this time to Bob-rejectee Meredith.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Meredith. She’s cool, funny, but a bit romantically awkward.
Can she sustain the series?
BUZZ: As always, tune in for an episode, then you’re hooked. It’s like crack.
SHOW: “American Idol”
7 p.m. Jan. 19, Fox
WHAT IT IS: The premiere singing competition in the country.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Early episodes will have the classic horrible singers.
BUZZ: A must-see. Everyone will be talking about it. You should too.
SHOW: “My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance”
8 p.m. Jan. 19, Fox
WHAT IT IS: A scripted/reality hybrid that has one woman introducing her family to her “fiance” and his “family,” a set of actors.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The improv comedy, and also bride Randi, who doesn’t really know the whole story but thinks she does.
BUZZ: Worth a shot. “Joe Schmo” was wicked but good, and this has a chance to match that.
SHOW: “Todd TV”
9 p.m. Jan. 21, FX
WHAT IT IS: One man turns his life over to audience voting. You choose what he does.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The execution of a novel concept. How much control will the audience have?
BUZZ: Tune in for at least the first episode, just to see how they get the show off the ground.
SHOW: ” ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave”
Time TBA, Jan. 21, MTV
WHAT IT IS: Rocker Dave Navarro and pinup Carmen Electra get married and whatnot.
“Newlyweds” for the hard-rock set.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Any mention of Electra’s previous marriage to Dennis Rodman. High comedy.
BUZZ: Unless she’s as dumb as Jessica Simpson, not really worth your time.
SHOW: “The Osbournes”
9:30 p.m. Jan. 27, MTV
WHAT IT IS: 24-7 with the world’s most functional dysfunctional family. A lot of Ozzy mumbling.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: More of the same, with the family even more conscious of the cameras and acting out.
BUZZ: Show jumped the shark at the beginning of last season. Avoid like the plague.
SHOW: “Survivor”
Feb. 1, after the Super Bowl, CBS
WHAT IT IS: An all-star edition of the most popular reality show. A chance to see how players from different seasons interact.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Early favorites such as Rudy, Richard Hatch and Sue Hawk, and later ones such as Rupert and Rob.
BUZZ: Few reality shows last long enough to generate an all-star cast, and this one can’t be missed.
———-
Will Bohlen’s “Reality Rewind” grid will return next Monday to keep you up to date on the reality TV world.
