Newest ‘Survivor’ likely forgettable

Once I got over the shock of learning that “Survivor: Palau” (8 p.m., CBS) was the 10th installment of the reality series, it suddenly dawned on me that I could barely remember anything about the ninth, eighth and seventh “Survivor” escapades.

I have a theory about television, suitable for publication in the New England Journal of Medicine. I firmly believe that the more highly hyped the television event, the more likely you are to forget it in a very short period.

The same syndrome kicks in just after the highly touted “Survivor” finale. That compartment of my brain where the winner’s name should reside seems to be occupied by other stuff.

Tonight’s “Survivor” kicks off with a triple elimination. They’ve got to pick up the pace, so they can wrap up the “Palau” shenanigans by May 15.

I’m already looking forward to forgetting it.

Tonight, the still at-large King of Pop is documented in the two-hour news special “Michael Jackson’s Secret World” on “PrimeTime Live” (9 p.m., ABC). What secret world? Who has had their private life more scrutinized, publicized and dissected than Jackson?

“Secret” was made by filmmaker Martin Bashir, whose 2003 documentary “Living with Michael Jackson” included an interview with the boy who later accused the pop star of molesting him. People with “Secret Worlds” don’t invite camera crews onto their ranch.

Some genius at the Animal Planet must have discovered a correlation between sports and pets. Did anyone else catch “The Puppy Bowl,” a baffling dog-themed alternative to the Super Bowl?

Tonight, the critter channel offers “NASCAR: Animal Crew” (8 p.m., Animal Planet) featuring racecar drivers and their four-pawed pals.

Other highlights

Caleb comes clean on “The O.C.” (8 p.m., Fox).

Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachel Leigh Cook star in the 1999 comedy “She’s All That” (8 p.m., WB).

Karen sets Jack up on a date with a bird-watcher (Luke Perry) on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC).