TLC announces new slate of reality shows

TLC has announced a new slate of reality series in its "Live and Learn" line-up. The new shows include etiquette boot camp Mind Your Manners, first-time buyers guide to real estate My First House and the hospital-set Family Surgeons. The shows are set to debut early next year along with new episodes of returning series Little People, Big World, Miami Ink and Honey, We're Killing the Kids.

My First Home is the most straightforward of the three offerings and the most seemingly limited. How many episodes of compelling television can mortgage financing options make? Mind Your Manners has slightly more promise. The series promises to walk audiences through all kinds of etiquette-heavy occasions - job interviews, first dates, weddings, etc. In this modern world, however, I'd far rather see the etiquette police take on what to do when your bitter ex-boyfriend starts up an online diary documenting your break-up or how to manage the parent-teacher conference after your kid was caught selling dope to the assistant principal.

The strangest of the line-up, however, has to be Family Surgeons. TLC programmer Christian Drobnyk describes it as American Chopper meets The Biggest Loser. The show follows a father-son team that specializes in gastric bypass surgery. I'm not sure anyone wants a father-son team with the argumentative dynamic of Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. anywhere near their anethesized body.