‘Twentyfourseven’ makes debut
The new documentary series “Twentyfourseven” (10:30 p.m., MTV) follows seven young friends as they try to succeed in Hollywood. But don’t go looking for a rags-to-riches story here. By any measure, these guys already seem well set. They have their run of clubs, throw hideously expensive parties and front their own rock ‘n’ roll bands. One guy has already produced and directed his own film. And, this being MTV, they are all pretty photogenic.
The whole point of this exercise is to sell a young audience on these guys as “the players” of the future. This is pure product placement with human beings as the product. It’s all rather sad – a soulless variation on “Entourage” without any real laughs.
If any real “star” emerges from “Twentyfourseven,” it will probably be Cipes, the retro-hippy musician discovered playing on the streets of Venice Beach. He talks like a man-child and spouts New Age nonsense. He seems to keep a baby snake in his hair, even in the shower. That may be a “reality” TV first. We shall see whether this eccentric, or his band, Cipes and the People, becomes the next big thing, or whether Cipes takes his place as a fly-by-night player in a 21st-century revival of “Hollywood Squares.”
“The King of Queens” (8 p.m., CBS) returns for a new, if truncated season. Two episodes air tonight. Then look for installments of the Emmy-winning comedy on Dec. 20 and Dec. 27. CBS has seven more episodes and will air them in 2007.
Tonight’s other highlights
Tyra Banks hosts the season finale of “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., CW).
A winning singer emerges on “Gospel Dream” (8 p.m., Gospel Music).
Hopper takes a hostage on “Day Break” (9 p.m., ABC).
Allison’s camera yields ghostly imagery on “Medium” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): A hidden-camera exposé reveals the difference between Good Samaritans and indifferent strangers.
A trip to the seashore to test breakfast menus on “Top Chef” (10 p.m., Bravo).
Series notes
Caroline Rhea hosts two episodes of “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC) … William Shatner hosts “Show Me the Money” (8 p.m., ABC) … A visit from a lost soul on “One Tree Hill” (9 p.m., CW).