Reality show redux

TV will pick up a little tonight as Showtime launches the new season of "Weeds" and "Secret Diary of a Call Girl."

In the meantime, I thought I'd check in with some more thoughts on local reality contestants Matt Locke on "Design Star" and Shane Lyons on "Next Food Network Star."

Locke continues to dominate on his show. This week he came up with a sort of four-poster canopy bed for four, with a loft on top. Building stuff is really his forte and judge Vern Yip called it perhaps the best solution to a bedroom challenge he's ever seen.

What was really impressive was not just the design, but that Locke was able to pull off construction in just eight hours. I mean, this was a really nice, really finished looking piece of furniture.

I do wonder, should Locke actually win this thing, if a show about building objects will fly. HGTV really leans much more to room design and house hunting. They've tried some building shows - there was that one with the two brothers rebuilding junk - but they haven't gone anywhere. Of course, Locke seems to have a better aesthetic sense than those guys.

Couldn't find any better pictures to upload, but you can view a slideshow here: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/design_star_2008/text/0,,HGTV_31076_68650,00.html?cat=all&pageref=Photo_Video-923144&vw_arrange_order=DESC&vw_sort_order=MOST_RECENT&pn=1

Meanwhile, Blue Star cook Shane Lyons is coming a little more into his own on "Food Network Star." He's got his concept ironed out - French cuisine without the fuss - and his presentation skills are excellent. But, and this is a big but, he doesn't look like he's having fun on screen. The judges harped on it.

And, I have to say, that's how he comes across in person, too. Not that he's a jerk, but he seems like a pretty serious guy. He's serious about cooking, which is good, but he's serious when he's cooking, which isn't as good for a TV show.

He was on a kid's comedy show for three seasons ("All That" on Nickelodeon), so maybe he just has to let go a little bit and get into a better spot.