Sometimes, happy surprises show up at odd times and places. One of those is "Underemployed," which debuts at 10 p.m. Tuesday on MTV.

That's while the presidential debate is still going on. You can safely catch the debate, because "Underemployed" repeats instantly at 11:04 -- and often after that. Just make sure you catch it; I found the opener to be a dandy comedy-drama blend, full of characters worth knowing. Here' the story I sent to papers:

By MIKE HUGHES

Growing up in Wisconsin, I always heard rumors of this opposite world. There were surfing songs and "Beach Party" movies and more, all claiming that somewhere people spend the entire year in waterfront sunshine.

It seemed like make-believe, of course. But reality shows helpfully remind us that it's real life for some people. Now comes "WakeBrothers," which is moving to Mondays on MTV; here's the story I sent to papers:

By MIKE HUGHES

Snooki and JWoww are back on TV, starting Thursday. Here's the quick-turnaround piece I sent to papers, after a story today (Wednesday):

By MIKE HUGHES

These two were opposites, thrown
together in the blur of reality TV.

Jenni “JWoww” Farley was 23,
5-foot-7, with her own business; she planned and organized things.
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi was younger, smaller (4-foot-9), more
impulsive.

With Whitney Houston's funeral scheduled for noon Saturday (Feb. 18), TV and cable channels keep adding more coverage.

There have already been documentaries all week, but here's what's still coming:

-- Friday (Feb. 17): "NAACP Image Awards," 8-10 p.m., NBC. A
Houston tribute is being added. That's followed at 10 by a "Dateline" that includes Al Roker interviewing Aretha Franklin about Houston.

The Adam Goldstein that I saw last month was intense, likable and even, at times, funny. "I have an allergic reaction to drugs and alcohol," he said. "I break out in handcuffs."

So it seemed especially tragic to hear that this strong force had died, possibly of an accidental drug overdose. Here's a story I wrote for newspapers; because of the immediate time factor, I thought I should also put it here right away: