What2Watch: Short Bus Of Love with Bret Michaels

Neither of Bret Michaels's previous Rock of Love relationships made it much past the closing credits of the season finale, but no one is really watching the show expecting to see a lasting love match. I would go so far as to say that this has been the most enjoyable of the fake celebrity/fake datings shows, because everyone concerned has so obviously been winking at the viewer. The gimmick for Season Three (debuting Sunday at 9 PM, VH1) is that the girls are joining Michaels on the road, which means living on a tour bus. Various challenges at tour stops will help break the monotony, as well as ensuring we'll see a bikini or three. The life of a touring rock star can be grueling, but at least a bus is not a trailer, so for many of these girls it will be a step up.

Also this week:

Monday: Bromance (MTV, 9 PM): Laguna Beach now has a bigger family tree than Sarah Palin. This series features ex-Lauren Conrad arm candy Brody Jenner in a search for a new member of his entourage--because what fun is it being a useless Hollywood sleaze without someone to share it with? Seriously, this might be fun if all concerned treat the situation like the cosmic joke it so clearly is.

Tuesday: Kennedy Center Honors (CBS, 9 PM): If it's the last week of the year, it must be time for this annual salute to legends of American performing art (although two of this year's honorees, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who, aren't American). The others being feted are choreographer Twyla Tharp, actor and narrator supreme Morgan Freeman, country and last call legend George Jones, and Barbra Streisand, who finally found a good reason for being in the same room with President Bush.

Wednesday: Knight Rider (NBC, 8 PM): NBC is going to make this series work if it kills them, and it just might. Supercar KITT is affected by a computer virus that threatens to unleash havoc on the entire world. Mike is concerned about this, but perhaps more so by Sarah appearing to draw closer to an ex-boyfriend who may be of use in solving the virus crisis.

Thursday: Half Ton Teen (TLC, 8 PM): In the sensitive tradition of Half Ton Dad and Half Ton Mom comes this look at a 19 year-old man who weighs 800 pounds. I'm sure these people feel bad enough without TLC rounding 800 pounds up to a "half ton." Accuracy in program titling ought to be a New Year's resolution.

Friday: Miss America: Countdown to the Crown (TLC, 10 PM): Last year's four-week reality series featuring the Miss America contestants was a sound enough idea in theory, but in practice it didn't quite work, because 1) the eventual winner of the pageant was barely featured in the series; and 2) she was exactly like every other Miss America. It is back this year in a slightly revamped format, with the 52 contestants ensconced on the Queen Mary. Fox News personality and ex-Miss American Gretchen Carlson plays a role this season.

Saturday: Game Show in My Head (CBS, 8 PM and 8:30 PM): A new series premiering on a Saturday is about the most ominous thing imaginable, other than a new series premiering on NBC in any time slot. The latest attempt by Ashton Kutcher to produce something successfully (after the failures of Opportunity Knocks and Miss Guided) will feature people having to perform zany tasks in public while being coached (via earpiece) by host Joe Rogan. First cancellation of 2009?


Source: film.com