Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns

TBS, Wednesdays beginning Jan. 7

Meet The Browns David Mann is still dealing with that old rumor that he is dead, but for a guy supposed to be 6 feet under, he's having a pretty active career. Mann, who plays the fashion-challenged character Leroy Brown, often appears in Tyler Perry's films, plays, and as an occasional guest on the series Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Fans who have often asked why they don't see more of him on TV will get their wish as he takes the starring role in the new Perry project Meet the Browns.

In the series, Leroy inherits a large house from his father. He fulfills his father's dying wish to turn it into an old folks' home and soon finds himself in way over his head dealing with people even more eccentric than he is.

Leroy does get some help running the place from family and friends, including his daughter Cora -- played by Tamela Mann, David's wife of 19 years. Though both are in their 40s, David's character is much older, which could, in part, explain that rumor concerning his early demise. As for having his wife acting in the series, it has some problems. "We're very affectionate," David says. "And I may want to kiss her on the set and she says, 'You can't kiss me now -- you're my dad, not my husband."'

Leroy's popularity stems in part from the familiarity many people have with others like him. "[Leroy] appeals to a lot of people. Everybody has that kind of waggy character in their family, you know, kind of kooky or a little off," David says.

Speaking of a little off, is Perry's gun-toting matriarch Madea going to put in any cameo appearances? David isn't promising, but he hasn't said no, either. -- Elaine Bergstrom

Game Show in My Head: CBS, Saturdays beginning Jan. 3. Producer Ashton Kutcher tries his hand at another competition series, this one a game show hosted by Joe Rogan (Fear Factor). In this hidden-camera show, ordinary people must pull extraordinary stunts on an unsuspecting public to win up to $50,000. Each contestant performs five outrageous, embarrassing and hilarious (all words befitting any good reality series) tasks worth $5,000 each. In the bonus round, they have the chance to double their money.

Superstars of Dance: NBC, premieres Jan. 4, airs regularly on Mondays beginning Jan. 5. Still another variation of the popular dance competition series (and from the producers of So You Think You Can Dance), this program takes a different approach by scrapping the amateurs and instead showcasing the world's best and most varied dancers. "Lord of the Dance" Michael Flatley hosts the international competition, which pits masters of various dance genres from eight countries against one another. The countries currently scheduled to participate are Argentina, Australia, China, India, Ireland, Russia, South Africa and the United States. The network promises that this combo of "sporting event, rock concert and artistic exhibition ... is poised to become one of the greatest spectacles of dance performance ever seen on television." So not too much pressure on the producers and dancers, eh?

13 -- Fear Is Real: The CW, Wednesdays beginning Jan. 7. Sam Raimi (the Spider-Man and Evil Dead movies) is one of the executive producers behind this new competition series. Thirteen people compete to "stay alive" as they face their deepest fears in an all-out competition and scare fest. Pitted against each other in situations straight out of horror films, the contestants face psychological scares designed by a so-called "mastermind" of terror. The grand prize features another unlucky number -- $66,666. The contestants have not made things easy on themselves by revealing their particular phobias, which range from common frights like spiders and drowning, to one dude who admits being afraid of "clowns with spiders for hands and needles for stilts." If anyone can bring that fear to life, it's Raimi.

Howie Do It: NBC, Fridays beginning Jan. 9. Is Howie Mandel your deal? Then you may enjoy seeing the Deal or No Deal host in this new reality show. Mandel takes to the streets with his version of the classic prank show, with unsuspecting marks thinking that they are either the stars of a new game or reality show, or that they are auditioning for a new movie or series. Howie and his crew "punk" these folks either as themselves or in disguise.

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