Posted at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24

When NBC first announced that it was going to dump infants into the laps of teens for the reality survival series “The Baby Borrowers,” I was among the many who cringed.

More than a few tykes have called me “Uncle Curt” over the years. And I’ve always appreciated the fact that I could hand them over to their parents when they exploded into tears.

The five couples—all 18 or older—who move into separate homes on a Boise, Idaho, cul-de-sac don’t have that luxury. Over three weeks, they take care of babies for a few days, then toddlers, then ’tweens and their pets, then teens and, finally, senior citizens.

I felt worn out just watching. The teens, many who just know they will be good parents and want to start their families now, get a rude awakening.

They buy groceries, go to work, change diapers and feed the babies—all while the real parents watch on closed-circuit TV from down the street. The parents are allowed to intervene only when they feel the babies might suffer, like when impatient teen Alicea tells her assigned baby, Carson, “OK then, starve,” because the teething tot is too upset to eat.

Mama doesn’t like that, and schools Alicea in the fact that parenting isn’t about her needs. Alicea then refuses to deal with Carson, leaving her boyfriend Cory to take care of the kid.

“I have two babies now,” he told the camera. “A big one and a little one.”

Alicea’s not the only girl to give up. At one point or another in the first two episodes, all but one girl throws a hissy fit, leaving the guy to play daddy. And they all do it.

If ever there was an antidote to teen pregnancy, “The Baby Borrowers” is it.

Posted at 6:45 p.m. Monday, June 23

Tuesday night might just be the worst night of TV viewing—ever. Or it could be insanely, ridiculously fun.

Blame—or applaud—ABC. The network gives us a double whammy of physical foolishness beginning at 7 p.m. with the reality competition “Wipeout,” in which 24 people with no sense of embarrassment run through obstacle courses to win the $50,000 prize. Next up at 8 p.m. is “I Survived a Japanese Game Show,” in which 10 Americans, including Donnell Pitman of Chicago, are surprised when they are ushered onto the set of—drumroll please—a Japanese game show! Shot in Tokyo! With a studio audience! And the winner gets $250,000!

The contests on “Game Show” include something called “Chicken Butt Scramble,” while one of the “Wipeout” courses is called “Dirty Balls.” I’m leaving that alone.

You will see human cannonballs, a player trying to eat food off the head of a teammate who is running on a treadmill and hosts who provide mocking, often hilarious commentary.

ABC didn’t provide screeners—probably a smart move. Viewers will either hate these reality show spoofs—or love them.

Me? After watching a few short clips, I’m tuning in for more before I decide.

ABC provided this bio for “I Survived a Japanese Game Show" contestant Donnell Pitman, who is from Chicago:
Age: 32
Occupation: Real estate appraiser
Although Donnell is usually loud and energetic, this "All American" dad is struggling to provide for his family and fulfill his shattered dreams of playing pro football. Donnell has competition coursing through his veins and would love the opportunity to prove to his family that he can be greater than what they’ve seen so far.

Posted at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22

VH1 is about to make this week your “Best Week Ever.”

I’ve seen just a few clips from the new “I Love the New Millennium,” which begins in prime time at 8 and 9 p.m. Monday. Two new episodes air at 10 and 11 a.m., and 8 and 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The years 2000 and 2001, of course, kick off the eight-part series filled with tons of “I can’t believe he said that” moments that should keep you laughing—as long as you can handle off-color commentary and a lot of bleeping.

I was spitting up my coffee.

Michael Ian Black and Hal Sparks lead a cast of hilarious talking heads including Gilbert Gottfried, Luis Guzman and Lauren Weedman.

The panel discusses various pop culture moments from the ’00s so far, offering some of the oddest commentary you’re likely to find on such subjects as the catchphrase “Wazzup,” the “Thong Song,” the movies “Dude Where’s My Car” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and the iPod.

This exchange from Tuesday’s year 2002 episode, in which TV writers Michael Colton and John Aboud talk about “The Weakest Link” host Anne Robinson, is par for the course:

Colton: “[Robinson’s] like a homicidal Mary Poppins—with the rage virus ...”

Aboud: “... and rabies ...”

Colton: “That’s Anne Robinson, foaming at the mouth, clawing at the air ...”

Aboud: “ ... a wild fury, arms akimbo ...”

Colton: “We were high when we watched that show ...”

Aboud: “Yeah, that’s how it struck us.”

Some might think that after weighing in on the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, VH1 is jumping the gun on the ’00s. I’m not complaining. “I Love the New Millennium” will hold me over until “I Love the ’00s” airs in two years.

Posted at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 17

Fishing the oceans. Driving on ice. Chopping down forests.

How many more manly man jobs will reality TV mine for macho-riffic shows?

With the Tuesday 9 p.m. premiere of TruTV’s “Black Gold,” add drilling for oil to the list.

Thom Beers, who created “Deadliest Catch,” “Ice Road Truckes” and “Ax Men,” strikes it rich again with this show about black gold, Texas tea ... oh wait, that’s “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

“Black Gold” is nothing like “Hillbillies.” Beers’ new offering follows three groups of roughnecks on competing oil rigs who race to tap crude oil in west Texas. Although the narration gets annoyingly repetitive, the show remains compelling thanks to skyrocketing gas prices and the difficulties these men face in doing their jobs.

The crude is 2 miles under ground, which means the drillers have to connect about 350 lengths of 30-foot pipe to tap that reserve. They’re also fighting machine breakdowns, flying chains (a very scary moment in the opener) and each other—on the job, at quitting time and at the bar later on.

The marketing seems accurate: These drillers do “risk literally life and limb for our primary energy source.”

Editing creates drama where there probably isn’t any—I don’t think the crews are racing each other. A lot of the drama swirls around “characters” like teen dad Peanut (left), a rookie—or “worm” as they are called—who can’t make it to work on time. He faces the wrath of disappointed crew mates and his irritated boss, who screams enough profanities to make Kathy Griffin proud.

And if “Black Gold” doesn’t sate your appetite for tough-job reality shows, I hear Beers is working on a new project, “Shark Taggers,” for next year.

Posted at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 17

Country band Third Town got booted from “Nashville Star” on Monday.

America kept controversial “Nashville Star” contestant Justin Gaston on Monday night, but judge John Rich didn’t have anything good to say about the singer, calling him “terrible.”

"I think you shouldn't be on the show,” Rich said. “I think you snuck in through the back door."

Maybe Rich is feeling the heat from accusations that Gaston might have been a plant—and Rich might have been in on it. He didn’t seem to have early as harsh of words for Gaston during last week’s pre-taped premiere.

I mention Gaston (left) just so I have an excuse to show you yet another photo of the hottie. Um, does anyone care if he can sing?

The band Third Town was sent home this week during the live NBC telecast. Melissa Lawson was also in the bottom two.

Posted at 7 p.m. Monday, June 16

Tori Spelling and hubby Dean McDermott have chucked the B&B in Fallbrook, Calif., and are moving back to Hollywood.

Like we didn’t see that coming.

Spelling, former co-star of “Beverly Hills, 90210” and mommy of 15-month old Liam and new baby Stella, hasn’t made it a secret that she’s looking for work. She’s managed to muscle her way into the CW’s fall spin-off of “90210” and, according to recent interviews, she’s ready to be a working mother.

“I’ve been having babies for two years but want to get back into it,” Spelling told MCT recently.

The third season of the couple’s reality series, “Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood,” premieres at 9 p.m. Tuesday on Oxygen. Since its a little behind real life, Spelling still is pregnant during the first few episodes.

Despite the move to Hollywood, the new season promises the same drama—in Spelling’s mind or for real—we’ve seen in past seasons. Clips have shown her freaking out about McDermott’s hot scuba instructor, the backlash she might get from her mother after her memoir, “sTori Telling,” is released and her relationship with the press.

It’s good not-work, if you can get it.

Posted at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, June 12

Joey Kovar chose his health over Hollywood.

The muscle-bound, recovering addict packed up his things and returned to Evergreen Park on Wednesday night’s episode of MTV's "The Real World: Hollywood."

"I'm so [bleeping] stressed out," he told his grandmother on the phone. “I feel like drinking more than ever."

Kovar's roommates were shocked to learn that he had done cocaine on the night earlier in the season when he went on a rampage. The incident led “Real World” producers to help him get into rehab.

They were also clueless about all he had been through before coming to Chicago—living with his parent’s addiction, his own addiction, a suicide attempt. Some of the roomies didn’t seem to be that supportive anyway: On his first night out of rehab, they left him home as they went out and partied.

Kovar told me earlier this season that he has remained clean since coming back to Chicago. And he does, despite what he said in Wednesday’s episode, still want to pursue and acting career.

It just may take a little more time.

“Right now the approach I’m taking is I keep working on the Internet all the time to see if there are any acting gigs right here in Chicago,” Kovar told me. “… If I can save [money] over the next couple of years, hopefully I can move out to Los Angeles and really pursue my acting career.”

Read my earlier interview with Joey here. And don't be surprised if Kovar shows up at the "Real World" house again this season.

Posted at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 11

Stephanie Izard was a lion with her lamb Wednesday—and the Chicago chef became the first woman to win Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

“What? Really? Oh my God thank you,” Izard said after the announcement.

Izard was nearly undone by her ricotta pound cake dessert, which the judges called “nothing special.” Overall, the judges enjoyed the other three courses she created—especially her third course of medallions of lamb with Maitake mushrooms, braised pistachios, blackberries and olive tapenade.

“Holy [bleep],” she said in the post interview. “My life’s about to change.”

It was a night of ups and downs for all three finalists, including Richard Blais and Lisa Fernandes.

The chef-testants were paired with three world famous chefs to work as sous chefs on the first day of preparation. Then came the curve ballt: The sous chefs “called in sick” on the second day of the challenge.

Fernandes stayed calm and collected throughout the challenge, while Blais and Izard scrambled.

At judges table, Blais said he choked, and at least one judge—Tom Colicchio—agreed. “He made a few mistakes,” the head judge said, mentioning Richard’s pork belly third course.

The judges debated at length, rating each chef’s courses against each other. In the end. Izard pulled it out.

“I’m so glad I was able to pull through,” she said. “This is what I was meant to do in life.”

Izard will chat with the Chicago Tribune at 1 p.m. Thursday. If you have a question you’d like to hear Izard answer during the live video chat, send an e-mail to chicagotribune.com/topchefchat. Then come back on Thursday to the same address to watch the live chat.

VOTE IN REDEYE'S TOP SONG OF SUMMER ONLINE TOURNEY

Posted at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 11

Apparently Kathy Griffin’s feeling very A-listy these day: Girlfriend’s reps did not call me back to set up an interview with the reality star.

As Kathy herself would say: Whatever.

I was hoping to talk to the Oak Park native prior to the fourth season of her Bravo show, “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” which has its premiere at 8 p.m. Thursday. But no, I wasn’t connected with her.

I guess that’s what winning an Emmy Award does to a home girl. What am I, a D-list TV writer?

I feel like Kathy must feel when celebrities snub her on the red carpet. And hey, I’m even one of her gays.

Despite the diva-licious attitude, I still enjoy the rude, crude, obnoxious ’tude the comic brings to her show. Well, to her life. In the season opener, she goes off on Britney Spears, Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Channel’s “Planet Earth” series. (The series topped Griffin’s at the Producers’ Guild Awards earlier this year.)

She spares Anderson Cooper, the decidedly A-list personality with whom she hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve in January. Despite her best efforts, she manages not to get a fatwa put on her during the telecast—but she can’t keep her posse from getting plowed. (They play a drinking game: Every time Kathy calls Anderson “Andy,” they have to drink a shot.)

The funniest bits are of Kathy with her boyfriend at the time, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (right). She takes him to the Producer’s Guild ceremony, where she is presenting. It’s another A-list event for Kathy, but she lowers the bar—hilariously.

During the ceremony Kathy flips off other presenters and bags on everyone from Winfrey to Christina Applegate to “American Idol” creator Simon Fuller. Afterward, she and “Woz” are shown chatting in her limo.

“Woz could care less about Hollywood,” Kathy says in her voice-over. “But give him something nerdy to do and he’s like a kid in a candy store. A really, really, really rich kid in a very nerdy candy store.”

Cut to Wozniak as he tells Kathy people would make fun of her for not “hacking into [her own] iPhone.”

“Can you do it for me?” she asks.

“Welcome to App Store. You are now ready for third party applications ...” he says, reading the phone’s screen as he sets it up. Kathy looks at him glowingly, as if she’s falling deeply in love.

“You really have an aptitude for this,” she says. “You’re like a throbbing brain with a tie.”

Apparently the throbbing brain came to its senses. The pair has since broken up, according to news reports.

No, no, I’m just messing with you, Kathy. Love ya. Call me, ’K?

See Kathy before she joined any list here. Go to Scott Kleinberg's blog for all your iPhone news. But before you do, don't miss these video previews of "D-List" provided by Bravo.

In this video, Kathy gets a visit from Michael Levitt, producer of the Producers Guild Awards.

Posted at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11

Chicago’s Stephanie Izard cooks for the “Top Chef” title at 9 p.m. Wednesday against Richard Blais and Lisa Fernandes. No matter how she finishes, Izard will be chatting with folks at the Chicago Tribune—and with you—at 1 p.m. Thursday.

If you have a question you’d like to hear Izard answer during the live video chat, send an e-mail to chicagotribune.com/topchefchat. Then come back on Thursday to the same address to watch the live chat.

Posted at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 9

Viewers have yet to hear a note on “Nashville Star” and some long-time fans of the country music talent search already are crying “sham.”

The reality show moves to NBC from sister network USA for its sixth season beginning at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Fans on message boards at NBC and USA Network—where the first five seasons of “Star” aired—are accusing NBC and “NS” producers of planting a few contestants without ever auditioning them.

“I am furious with the casting crew/producers. What a sham!!!,” WalnutValleyGal wrote at USA Network’s forum.

I couldn't get NBC reps to return my phone calls or emails to talk about the accusations, but in previous press releases the network has said the 12 finalists were culled from nationwide auditions.

The audition process and the finalists’ first performances in front of judges John Rich (of country duo Big & Rich), Jewell and songwriter Jeffrey Steele will be part of the season premiere. The performances were taped June 2 at the Acuff Theater in Nashville. After Monday night, all episodes will be live and viewers will vote to keep their favorites.

Some angry fans who posted on the forums have suggested that a few of the 12 finalists were hired from Broadway and/or modeling agencies to give the show good-looking young contestants that will attract younger viewers.

At least one accuser even suggests that host/judge John Rich, of the country duo Big & Rich, was in on the alleged scam.

“Tell the truth John [Rich] you brought some of us in from Broadway and were in on hiring underwear models,” SSY wrote at NBC’s site on June 5.

The “underwear model” in question in 19-year-old Justin Gaston (above), who does appear to be repped by Premier Model Management and Vision Model Management. He seems to be the contestant most under attack.

According to his NBC bio, Gaston moved away from home to pursue a singing career and supported himself as a model.

Fans claim Gaston’s NBC bio is made up, pointing to a bio at the Most Beautiful Man Web site that says “he moved to Los Angeles immediately and made the courageous decision to pursue modeling.” The writers also point out the bio mentions music only once, as a pastime: “In his spare time, he likes to play the guitar, do interpretive dance, watch movies and listen to Asian music.”

Gaston doesn’t seem to deny any of this. In a story published Sunday in The Town Talk, a newspaper serving his hometown, Gaston said he moved to New York and then L.A. to pursue modeling, but he had other plans.

“Modeling was just kind of to get me started,” Gaston told The Talk. “It was just to make money to do this. I’ve always loved country music.”

Read the bios of the 12 finalists on the jump.

Posted at 1 p.m Monday, June 9

“The Incredible Hulk” open in theaters this Friday, which give the folks at “American Gladiators” a reason to paint everyone green on Monday night’s episode.

Lou Ferrigno, who played “The Hulk” on TV in the 1970s, pops in to check out a green-hued Titan. Their meeting is, well, kind of like jock foreplay. See for yourselves in the clip above.

Why don’t you guys just make out already?

They also partake in an embarrassing fist bump, the second high-profile bump in the past week. And as RedEye Web czar Jimmy Greenfield wrote when talking about Barack Obama and his wife's bump, it’s a bummer.

Posted at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7

Bisexual bachelorette Tila Tequila has been looking for love—again—on MTV’s “A Shot at Love 2.” The show’s not quite my bag, but hey, a lot of people apparently love it.

Tila’s narrowed down her choices and this week, at 9 p.m. Tuesday, she’s going to visit the family’s of the remaining contestants.

Naturally, she keeps things on the raunchy side. Take a look.

Brittany gives Tila a pickle:

Bo's broken jaw:

Kristy’s family dances:

Jay’s family in hot tub:

Posted at 2:15 p.m. Friday, June 6

I love “Meerkat Manor”—and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

I take a lot of crap from my RedEye workmates about my excitement over the show that tells the story of the cute meerkats of the Kalahari Desert. Just look at them; who doesn’t fall in love with those faces?

The Animal Planet hit begins its fourth season at 8 p.m. Friday and is now called “Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation.” That’s because Season 4 follows the struggles of the Whiskers clan of meerkats as they fight to survive in the Kalahari Desert after the death of their leader, Flower, last season.

Flower’s daughter, Rocket Dog (above), is the new dominant female of the Whiskers, gaining control after a power struggle with her sister, Maybelline (right). When she lost the fight, Maybelline deserted the Whiskers to form her own mob, the Aztecs.

It’s like a classic story of sibling rivalry—filmed close-up and even underground in the meerkat burrows. (As viewers learned in last week’s special, “The Science of Meerkat Manor,” Cambridge University researchers have been studying the meerkats for 14 years, which makes filming easier because the meerkats are used to having humans around.)

“Meerkat” presents wonderful, epic storytelling—funny and tragic, suspenseful and exciting.

The dramatic, operatic storylines, obviously, comes from the narration, which this season is delivered by actress Stockard Channing. The writers create a sort of faux-human vibe to what goes down in the desert—creating romantic storylines of courtship, for example, when I’m sure all the meerkats instinctually are thinking is “must … reproduce.”

And despite the sometimes overwritten bits, it works for me.

This season both Flower’s offspring—Rocket Dog and Maybelline—will have to deal not only with each other and other rival clans, but with their father, Zaphod, who continues to prevent them from mating. They’ll also deal with the harsh realities of the desert—predators, not enough food, drought and disease.

Producers of the show told the L.A. Times that this season, unlike the last when Flower died, will not be as heavy. The tone is lighter and funnier, exec producer Mick Kaczorowski told the Times.

But more sad news broke on Thursday that one of the meerkats was struck by a vehicle and died. The death will not be shown in the current season because it happened after filming wrapped. It will come up next season, producers say.

“The news is devastating. Suddenly the prospect of watching Season 4 is a lot sadder,” New Manor Fan wrote on the “Meerkat” chat board at Animal Planet’s Web site.

I still plan to tune in. “Meerkat Manor”—with all its comedy and tragedy—is the best reality show on TV.

I’m not going to let slip which meerkat died here. But if you really want to know, click here. Remember, you are responsible for your decision.

Posted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 4

Stars joining the “Celebrity Circus” are Blu Cantrell (from left), Christopher Knight, Rachel Hunter, Antonio Sabato Jr., Janet Evans, Wee Man and Stacey Dash.

When it comes to summer TV, there are two sure bets: Reality shows and Joey Fatone, reality show host. “The Singing Bee” host will keep things moving on two competition series this summer, “Celebrity Circus” and “The Singing Office.” Here are some of the new and returning reality and games shows debuting in June. Click here for June's scripted shows.

NEW REALITY SERIES

Black Gold
9 p.m. June 18, TruTV
More tough guys doing hard jobs—this time in oil fields. From the makers of “Ice Road Truckers,” “Deadliest Catch” and “Ax Men.”

I Survived a Japanese Game Show
8 p.m. June 24, ABC
Chicagoan Donnell Pitman (left) and nine other Americans fly to Tokyo to compete for $250,000 in oddball events such as the Chicken Butt Scramble. Could be fun.

The Baby Borrowers
7 p.m. June 25, NBC
NBC finally pulls the trigger on this long-delayed show that makes teens instant parents.

Celebrity Circus
8:30 p.m. June 11, NBC
Yes, another edition of “Celebrities Do the Darndest Things.” Christopher Knight and Jason “Wee Man” Acuna are among the celebs who join the circus.

Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal
9 p.m. June 16 A&E
Children with paranormal gifts go to psychic camp!

Wipeout
7 p.m. June 24, ABC
Contestants—let’s call them suckers—try to complete bizarre physical challenges designed to make them fail. Winner takes $50,000.

Hopkins
9 p.m. June 26 ABC
Documentary series follows what happens at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Dance Machine
7 p.m. June 27 ABC
Amateur dancers compete for $100,000. ABC says, “Imagine a 70-year-old grandmother in a dance-off with a 25-year-old gravedigger to the tune of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’” No thanks.

The Singing Office (photo)
8 p.m. June 29 TLC
Colleagues from 16 companies sing for $50,000. Hey, at least it’s keeping host Joey Fatone employed.

For returning shows, go to the jump.

Posted at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 3

Here’s a modeling show with a twist: All the competitors are over the age of 35.

But it’s not “America’s Next Top Cougar.” The women on TV Land's reality show “She’s Got the Look” are serious about becoming great “mature” models. So serious, in fact, you'll suffer through a lot of teary moments.

Everyone involved in this show seems to be taking it extremely seriously.

You won't see tears from Chicagoan Celeste (right), who keeps it all together and looking amazing. You’d never guess Celeste is 50 years old.

Supermodel Kim Alexis hosts “She’s Got the Look,” which debuts at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Judging the model wannabes are Beverly Johnson, the “first black supermodel,” Wilhelmina Modeling president Sean Patterson and celebrity stylist Robert Verdi.

Take a look:

Posted at 12:45 a.m. Thursday, May 22

Many contestants from the first three seasons of “So You Think You Can Dance” confessed to crushing on host Cat Deeley, but she’s not sure why.

“Clearly, their sanity level needs to be checked,” the perky Brit said during a conference call this week. “I mean, they’re great dancers, but nobody said they’ve got any taste.”

Deeley is bound to steal more hearts when Fox’s reality dance competition returns at 7 p.m. Thursday. Joining her and thousands of hopefuls trying out in Dallas, Charleston, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., will be judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, as well as a revolving third judge.

Deeley said that despite the slew of newer dance competitions to hit TV in the past three years, the new season of the Fox show will be similar to past seasons, just “bigger and better.”

“It’s the same show. It’s kind of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but it is everything that you know and love, but back bigger and better,” she said. “Because the bar has kind of been raised [because] we’re used to seeing people spin on their heads. Now we want triple-back somersaults with extras and a run up the wall.”

As for all those others shows, Deeley said she thinks they’ve tried to emulate “So You Think.”

“I think that our show is such a success because of the human element,” she said. “We’ve all, at some point in our lives, turned around and fallen over metaphorically and we’ve had to kind of pick ourselves and dust ourselves off and get on with it.”

For all the dancers who do fall down this season, Deeley will be there to help them up, she said.

“When the chips are down and maybe Nigel is not being so nice and they’ve put everything that they have into a routine that’s a minute long and they want to stay on another week,” she said, “I’m kind of the big sister/cheerleader who kind of squeezes their hand and goes, ‘Come on, we can do this.’”

Read more Q&A with Cat Deeley on the jump.

Posted at 10:14 p.m. Tuesday, May 20

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas on Tuesday (left) and Monday (above).

Kristi Yamaguchi fired up the girl power on Tuesday, winning Season 6 of “Dancing With the Stars.”

The figure skating champ is the first woman to win ABC’s ballroom dance competition since Kelly Monaco did the first season.

“I love it. This is just the icing on the cake,” Yamaguchi said, calling the show a “dream experience” and thanking just about everyone involved, from the make-up artists to her partner, Mark Ballas.

Yamaguchi and Ballas took home the mirrorball trophy after earning a perfect 90 from the judges for the final three dances. Those scores were combined with viewer votes.

The pair was the frontrunner as far as the judges were concerned from their first dance 10 weeks ago.

Despite baring their chests on Monday for two sexy dances, football star Jason Taylor and Latin actor Cristian de la Fuente were the also-rans. Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska came in second, while de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke took third.

“I’m hoping dancing makes me a better football player,” said Taylor, the Miami Dolphins defensive end.

De la Fuente, who ruptured a tendon in his bicep during a dance on April 28, delayed surgery to continue competing. He’ll have surgery this week.

“I would never have the feeling of going into the final after an injury if it wasn't for Cheryl,” he said after being voted off. “She’s been the best partner I could have. She’s been a real friend.”

Posted at 8:45 p.m. Monday, May 19

Melvin Davis faces Titan on the Joust. Davis didn't do too well.

Melvin Davis proved he was Chicago’s top cop, at least on Monday night’s “American Gladiators.”

The 42-year-old police officer pulled a surprising upset, coming from way behind in the final event to beat his partner, 31-year-old David Moore.

"Age just doesn't matter when it comes to the Eliminator," host Hulk Hogan said after the event. "It's Melvin Mania."

Moore was at least 3 obstacles ahead of Davis in the Eliminator, but got hung up on the last hurdle, the Travelator. Davis caught up and pushed ahead to win the event.

Even if his Eliminator time of 10 minutes, 33 seconds doesn’t strike fear into opponents’ hearts, Davis moves on to the semifinals, where he could face fellow Chicagoan Randee Haynes.

Posted at 5:15 p.m. Monday, May 19

Broadcast upstart MyNetworkTV has pinned down “WWE SmackDown,” the pro wrestling series that has aired on The CW the past two seasons.

World Wrestling Entertainment will kick off on MyNetworkTV in October, the network announced on Monday, with a “Wrestlmania” special and “WWE SmackDown.” On Oct. 2, WWE’s “WrestleMania” special will feature highlights of “WrestleMania XXIV,” including Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show. “Smackdown” makes its Friday debut on Oct. 3.

WWE’s “SmackDown” series premiered on UPN in fall 1999, but moved to The CW when UPN and The WB merged two years ago. In February, WWE and CW announced the end of their partnership after this season. The “SmackDown” move is a homecoming of sorts: Some MyNetworkTV stations used to be affiliated with UPN before the 2006 WB merger.

MyNetworkTV currently airs the following original programs: “Celebrity Exposé,” “Jail,” “Street Patrol” and the Flavor Flav sitcom “Under One Roof.”

Posted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Chicago cops and partners Melvin Davis (center) and David Moore (right) face Toa (left) in Power Ball.

Chicago folks have been reality TV darlings lately, and Monday night will be no different.

Three Windy City men will try to woo “The Bachelorette,” DeAnna Pappas, at 8 p.m. on ABC, just after two Chicago cops are pitted against each other at 7 p.m. on NBC’s “American Gladiators.”

All this comes just a week after Chicago’s own Randee Haynes (left) won the first semifinal spot in Season 2 of “Gladiators.” He didn’t face gladiator Rocket, a.k.a. former champ and Fox River Grove native Evan Dollard, but he easily won the Eliminator just as Dollard did last year.

“I’m ecstatic with my performance,” Haynes told host Hulk Hogan last week after finishing the new, tougher Eliminator in 2 minutes, 6 seconds.

On Monday, Chicago police partners David Moore and Melvin Davis face off against each other—and the gladiators—for another semifinal berth.

When the fourth installment of “The Bachelorette” debuts Monday, DeAnna Pappas will meet three guys who live in Chicago: Patrick C., 26, a financial analyst (from left); Fred, 30, a lawyer; and Patrick D., 27, an internet marketer.

They are among the 25 men who include a trio of professional athletes, a pair of teachers and a guy named Twilley.

Pappas, 26, was picked and then dumped last fall by “The Bachelor” Brad Womack, who opted not to even continue their relationship.

Huge viewer response led ABC to resurrect “The Bachelorette” for the first time since 2005—when, coincidentally, Chicagoan Jen Schefft opted to stay single rather than pick one of her two final guys.

Posted at 3:45 p.m. Friday, May 9

Chicago’s Evan Dollard—last season’s champ of NBC’s “American Gladiators”—is much happier being a gladiator than a competitor.

“I can go out there and just have fun,” Dollard told me last week during a phone chat. “I can compete as a gladiator and know that the only thing at stake is my pride.

“And I will say this too: It’s a lot more enjoyable to chase somebody on The Wall than to be chased. It’s so much more rad to be the pursuer.”

Dollard’s talking about his best event from last season, the climbing wall, which he says will be more difficult when Season 2 opens at 7 p.m. Monday with a two-hour premiere.

“The Wall itself is 10 feet higher [making it 50 feet tall] and much wider,” said Dollard, who is returning to the show as one of three new gladiators. His gladiator name is “Rocket.” “It just looks sick. It’s absolutely insane.”

Producers have made the entire show much bigger this season, according to NBC. Action will take place in an all-new, “state-of-the-art” Gladiator Arena built within the L.A. Sports Arena. They’ve added seven events as well, including Rocketball and Vertigo, which are revealed in the premiere.

Dollard—Rocket, I mean—takes part in Vertigo, which has competitors climbing a 30-foot, swaying pole, then racing from that pole to seven more poles until they reach the finish.

“It’s a fun event and it looks great on camera,” Rocket said.

Rocket got a little Chicago face time this season. Three of the male contenders hale from the Windy City—Randee Haynes, David Moore and Melvin Davis.

“It was fun having them in the arena, to have that Chicago love,” Rocket said. “For Chicago to represent one more time was an absolute thrill.”

Dollard also told me how he and producers picked his name, what it was like getting to know his gladiator “nemesis” Wolf and what he’s up to in his acting career. Go to the jump for the entire interview.

Read all about Dollard and his road to becoming a Gladiator.

Posted at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 9

Three Chicagoans compete in the new season of "American Gladiators": Randee Haynes (left photo) and Chicago cops David Moore (left, above) and Melvin Davis, who compete against each other on May 19.

“American Gladiators” announced the 40 contenders who will go up against the gladiators when Season 2 begins at 7 p.m. Monday.

Three of those contenders are from Chicago—and they may have to face one of the new gladiators—Chicago’s own Even “Rocket” Dollard.” They’re competing to win $100,000 and a spot as a gladiator in the following season of “America Gladiators.”

Here are NBC’s bios of the Chicago contenders:

Randee Haynes is a 25-year-old carpenter. He hails from a family of 13 kids whose names all begin with "R." He admires and appreciates his parents, and as a father of two, strives to be half the father his dad was. Haynes’ silly and lovable demeanor proves that you don’t have to train hard to be a good athlete.

David Moore is a 31-year-old police officer. He is a true family man who does everything for his son and wife. Moore is a health nut who believes in staying fit and eating right. He loves to joke around with his buddy Melvin Davis, a fellow police officer and contender on this cycle of "American Gladiators."

Melvin Davis is a 42-year-old cop that has been in the Chicago Police Department for fifteen years. He became a cop to help the community and give back, and he loves his work. He has also been a bodyguard for actress Jennifer Hudson.

Re-posted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7

Did you see me on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Tuesday? If you missed me, check out the clip above.

The arrow is pointing at me ... standing behind Ellen ... during the show. That arrow follows me around everywhere. Hate it.

Anyway, hanging with Ellen—sort of—while she was in Chicago was a riot, even though it was, as guest Robin Williams said, “so cold even the Wrigley Building has nipples.” Seeing myself behind Ellen also got me thinking about how short she is—I mean how tall I am.

I wanted to offer you folks the opportunity to win a little piece of my Ellen experience. During the show, Ellen’s warm-up guy Tom Riles tossed out several “I Danced with Ellen” T-shirts. One happened to bounce off several frozen fingers before falling at my feet. You can see the T in the photo on the right.

Like I said, I wanted to give you a chance to win that T-shirt. It’s 100 percent cotton, a size large and, best of all, is stained with tomato sauce from the Pizano’s pizza served to the audience after the show. From Oprah, and Ellen. (I tried to clean it, but there’s still a stain.)

But my innocent little contest was stopped when lawyers got involved. You know how that goes: What should take 30 minutes to figure out will take weeks, months or years. Exhibit A: The R. Kelly trial. Anyway, since I can no longer offer you this lovely stained T-shirt as a prize, I’m going to send it to my Mom for Mother’s Day.

You’re welcome, Mom. Thank the lawyers, and the possibly litigious contest participants they fear.

Feel free, dear readers, to answer the one question I had planned to ask you in the T-shirt contest. But now you’ll win a simple “Good job, you!,” from me. All you need to do is go to the comments section below and enter your answer to this question:

What is the height difference, in inches, between Ellen and Curt?

Happy height guessing! And sorry you won’t be getting a prize.

Posted at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1

Call it the return of the king. Chicago's Evan Dollard is back in Gladiator arena—as a champion and new “American Gladiators.”

Dollard, who scored the nickname the Evanator last season—now goes by Rocket in the Gladiator arena. He is one of three new warriors who’ll battle contestants when the NBC competition returns on May 12, along with Season 1 women’s champ Monica “Jet” Carlson, and Jennifer “Phoenix” Widerstrom.

According to TV Guide, Dollard and the other newbies have been working hard at Gladiator Boot Camp with up to five hours of physical training a day.

I’m guessing Dollard will specialize in The Wall this season. The rock climbing enthusiast blew away Wolf every time in Season 1, scampering up The Wall in record times.

Watch for more Chicago connections this season too. In the May 19 episode, Chicago cops and partners David Moore and Melvin Davis go up against each other.

I’m trying to set up a chat with Dollard, so check back later. Until then, view his Season 1 photo gallery by clicking on the photo here. Read all about Dollard and his road to becoming a Gladiator.

Posted at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 29

Farmer Matt Neustadt and his pecs drove a group of models around Hollywood on Tuesday to promote "Famer Wants a Wife."

It took a lot convincing for me to believe that farmer Matt Neustadt of the CW’s new reality matchmaking show, “Farmer Wants a Wife,” is, indeed, a farmer.

I’m from Nebraska and I’ve seen a lot of farmers—even farmers’ sons, and I don’t recall any of them not having red-neck-and-arms farmer’s tans, sweat-matted hair and less-than-fit bodies.

Which isn’t to say I haven’t seen cute farm boys. Neustadt, however, has none of the above traits and is beyond cute. His abtacular, gym-toned body and all-over bronze tan are the traits of a man who spends his days bedding women in a soap opera, not driving a tractor—even if he’s doing it shirtless.

But if you watch “Farmer Wants a Wife” when it