TV is serious business?

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — There was a lot of criticism of "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" for taking the world of network television way too seriously.

I'm here to tell you, that's an absolutely accurate representation of the people inside the industry.

We are talking about a business in which the people who made "The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll" told us that it was an important, aspirational and inspirational series about young women who wanted to dress like hookers and join what essentially is a burlesque act.

And the folks at The CW — who are doing another season of "Pussycat Dolls"; who are doing another season of "Beauty and the Geek"; who are doing a mother-daughter beauty pageant/reality show called "Crowned"; who are doing a "Bachelor" rip-off titled "Farmer Takes a Wife" — haven't entirely learned from that debacle.

"I think that these shows, for the most part, have a sense of humor about them," said CW Entertainment president Dawn Ostroff. (Good, good! That's the way to handle it! Tell us it's about the comedy!)

"I think that they're aspirational in many ways to what our young audiences is looking for," she continued. (No, no! You're veering back into dangerous take-yourself-too-seriously territory.)

"It's really all about relationships," Ostroff said, hauling out one of the most-overused TV cliches.

Yes, relationships among people desperate to be on TV. People who don't care how stupid and venal and cut-throat they appear at times.

And, asked if she is "proud of the vision of life that this presents to young women," Ostroff zigged when she should have zagged. "You know what? I am," she said. (Danger! Danger! Remember, it's all about the comedy!)

AFTER ALL THE over-the-top histrionics in the first season of "The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll," what became of the winner? "Asia has decided to do a solo career," Ostroff said with an absolutely straight face.

The room full of TV critics burst out laughing.

"Well, wasn't that sort of pointless, then?" was the follow-up question. "No, because we always said that, you know, it's their choice to either do a solo career or join the Pussycat Dolls," Ostroff said.

More laughter.

"BEAUTY AND THE GEEK" is adding a twist this fall — in addition to all the geeky guys and gorgeous gals, there will be one hunky guy and one nerdy girl.

The hunky guy is an actor, but he won't be playing a part on the show. He'll be playing himself.