I am – Hercules!!


With February sweeps upon us and the writers’ strike entering its fourth month, broadcast television is about to be swept under a massive tsunami of reality shows – with “America’s Next Top Model,” “The Pussycat Dolls Present Girlicious,” “Big Brother 9” and “Survivor: Micronesia” joining “American Idol,” “American Gladiators,” “Deal or No Deal,” “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Moment of Truth,” and it kicks off tonight with the debut of “Paradise Hotel 2.”

The big news about “2,” I suppose, is that while the newish MyNet netlet is showing the broadcast version, cable’s Fox Reality Channel will present the TV-MA version. That’s the one I suppose I’ll be watching.

The sad news is one of the contestants, one Nathan Clutter, passed away subsequent to his participation on the series.

2003’s original “Paradise Hotel” was a frustrating affair because it was difficult during most of the series’ run to discern the object of the game and what kind of prize was at stake. Still, I think I saw every episode, fascinated by fledgling model Charla Pihlstrom, who cunningly manipulated homely partner Dave Kerpen into helping her across the finish line, then declined in the season finale to share her $250,000 with him.

The original was a big hit, so it’s always been a curiosity that Fox never brought it back. High production cost was blamed, so this may be why the show’s real-time audience voting element was elimated from the MyNet edition, which finished taping months ago.

I haven’t stumbled across a lot of reviews of “Paradise Hotel 2,” but Entertainment Weekly gives it a “B.”

9 p.m. Monday. MyNet.
1 a.m. Tuesday. Fox Reality.

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