It's 2011 and a bunch of new reality shows kicked off this week, and even more new and returning series come our way during the next few weeks and months, ranging from 'American Idol' and its big changes and new judges to Mike Tyson's surprising pigeon racing series.

So far this year, we've learned the identities of 'Biggest Loser's' mystery trainers, even though the show won't reveal them yet, and were introduced to Paula Abdul's new show, which was a disaster -- as was my interview with 'Survivor' executive producer Mark Burnett, who told me I ask stupid questions.

After the jump, a look at what was popular in the reality world last week, and what reality TV to look out for next week.

The Past: last week's most-read reality blurred stories

1. Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronova: 'Biggest Loser's' still-a-mystery trainers?
2. Leif Garrett says 'Celebrity Rehab' producers asked him to use when he was sober
3. Chris Lambton explains why he rejected 'The Bachelor'
4. Winter 2011 reality TV debut schedule
5. Camille Grammer out of 'Real Housewives'
6. Insulting copycat 'Live to Dance' needs to die

The Forward: what to watch this week

Sunday, Jan. 9
Tonight brings the end of 'Sarah Palin's Alaska', which airs two back-to-back episodes [TLC, 8PM], and the start of 'Alaska State Troopers', which profiles law enforcement officers [National Geographic Channel, 9PM]. If Alaska isn't for you, try infestations of bed bugs, rats, scorpions, mice, roaches, spiders, raccoons and more: 'Infested' [Animal Planet, 8 to 11PM] is a three-hour mini-series about "real-life horror stories of ordinary people plagued by frighteningly extraordinary infestations," according to the network.

Monday, Jan. 10
While 'Hoarders' ends its third and outstanding season [A&E, 10PM], a few shows return tonight: 'Bad Girls Club' [Oxygen, 9PM] and 'You're Cut Off!' [VH1, 9PM] Later, 'The X Life' [VH1, 10PM] is a sort of 'Real Housewives', but it follows extreme athletes and their significant others. Also tonight, new CNN talk show host Piers Morgan interviews Susan Boyle as a different network airs an episode of his British series 'Piers Morgan's Life Stories' [TV Guide Channel, 8PM].

Tuesday, Jan. 11
'Teen Mom' returns for a third season [MTV, 10PM], and follows those who were pregnant on '16 and Pregnant''s second season: Chelsea, Jenelle, Kailyn, and Leah. And in 'Pipe Dream' [Golf Channel, 9:30PM], cameras follow pro golfer Mark Burk as he works to restart his career after being homeless. Earlier, 'Millionaire Matchmaker' ends its fourth season [Bravo, 9PM] while on 'Dirty Jobs', Mike Rowe works as a rum distiller [Discovery, 9PM], which sounds more fun than dirty.

Wednesday, Jan. 12
'Live to Dance' airs its first live episode [CBS, 8PM] and gets its final chance to redeem itself, and the Top Chef judges get another chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of fans who are mad they didn't eliminate Jamie, a decision the Top Chef judges defend. This week, the chefs will go to the beach to catch and then cook fish.

Thursday, Jan. 13
Producer Arnold Shapiro brings his Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentary back to TV with 'Beyond Scared Straight' [A&E, 10PM], a series that follows "inmate-run intervention programs in men's and women's prisons across the country" that were inspired by the original documentary. On a lighter note, 'Wipeout' [ABC, 8PM] continues its new winter-themed winter season with lots of icy and holiday-themed wipeouts.


Andy Dehnhart is the editor of Reality Blurred