Change Of Heart

By Joel Stein

Sometimes an idea is so good that no amount of poor execution--boring host, ugly sets, bad pacing--can ruin it. Such an idea is Change of Heart, a game show in which a young couple suffering relationship troubles gets set up on blind dates with hot people. Then they each report on their dates, and they end the show by holding up signs saying whether they want to break up or stay together. In New York City and Los Angeles the show is aired right before Jerry Springer, and often makes that show look rather pedestrian. It has the obvious mark of executive producer Scott ("the Snot") St. John (that's what he calls himself in the credits), who, with Brian Graden, co-created Studs, the dating-game show that was just as rude and compelling as St. John's new creation. The old show benefited from the wit of host Mark DeCarlo, who should be forced back into the host's chair. But then again, Magic Johnson couldn't mess up this one.

--By Joel Stein