As a reality TV writer and commentator, I watch a lot of junk. Obviously, I have a high tolerance for it. However, occasionally a series comes along that even I can’t stand to watch. That’s where the new ABC summer series, The Next Best Thing comes in.

Folks pretending to be celebs. Wow! That’s sooooooooo interesting. The best part of the show is the commercial breaks. Sure, they had a funny Robin Williams, but frankly, there was not much else. If I want to see delusional people audition for something, I’ll watch American Idol or America’s Got Talent or a slew of other, better shows out there.

I mean wasn’t that Celine Dion impersonator great? Um, I don’t much care for the real thing so why would I want to watch someone who can’t get a gig impersonating her do so on a Z-list reality TV show?

I know that summer time is usually a bad time for reality TV, especially good reality TV (if there really is such a thing), but couldn’t ABC execs air a series called Watching Paint Dry instead? I guarantee you it’d be more entertaining. At this rate, I’d rather watch reruns of Lost or Desperate Housewives.

Well, almost…

Just in case you’re unclear as to what I’m saying…skip this stinker of a series. The best thing you can do is change the channel, or go see Jeffrey Ross, one of the judges and a first-rate comedian, live when he comes to your local comedy club. I give it a big yuck-a-doodle and a ohmigod, I can’t believe this passes for TV.