the colony

Two members of 'The Colony' (Tue., 10PM ET on DSC) make a helpful discovery in a pool: dinner. "This alligator, used well, could feed the colony for a week," explains Michael.

That's if they can wrangle the animal. The guys manage to hook him around the neck and pull him up out of the water as he twists in attempt to break free. Michel throws his "only shirt" over the gator's eyes, but it doesn't keep the animal from squirming and hissing.

Michel then straddles the alligator, knees pressed against its feet, while his partner in crime secures its mouth, wrapping layer upon layer of duct tape around the animal's jaws.

The second season of Discovery's post-apocalyptic simulation 'The Colony' (Tue., 10PM ET on DSC) is set in Louisiana. Otherwise, the reality TV show mirrors the first go-round: The "colonists" must figure out ways to filter water, cook food, create an electric current, etc. -- all the while securing themselves against "marauders."

To that end, a mob appears, throws smoke grenades and demands the colonists' medical supplies. When they don't hand them over, fighting ensues. The invaders disorient their opponents with pepper spray; the colonists' wooden sticks and metal poles are less than effective. After a brief battle, the raiders leave with the group's water containers and medicine. D'oh!

• At 8, ABC has the season finale of The Superstars.
• FOX has a new Hell's Kitchen at 8, then a new More To Love.
• ABC has a new 10 Things I Hate About You at 8, followed by a new Ruby & The Rockits.
• ESPN has two new episodes of The World Series of Poker at 8.
• At 9, CBS has a new Big Brother.
• NBC has a new America's Got Talent at 9.
• TNT has a new Hawthorne at 9, then a new Saving Grace.
• SyFy has a new Warehouse 13 at 9, followed by a new ECW.
• At 9:30, Food Network has a new The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
• At 10, ABC has a new Primetime: Family Secrets.
• There's a new Rescue Me on FX at 10.
• Bravo has a new NYC Prep at 9, followed by a new Miami Social.
• History Channel has a new That's Impossible at 10.
• A&E has a new episode of The Cleaner at 10.
• Travel Channel has a new Bite Me with Dr. Mike at 10.
• Also at 10: Discovery has a new episode of The Colony.

Check your local TV listings for more.

After the jump, the late night talk shows.

Even though they have experts telling us that the volunteers in The Colony will internalize their situation and begin to think of it as their real lives, I don't believe it. The premise of the show is to take ten ordinary people from a variety of backgrounds and sequester them in a warehouse. Then we'll all pretend it's post apocalyptic Los Angeles and they have to find a way to survive.

But it's just not working. Two episodes in, and I'm not buying it at all. I'm not even really buying that the volunteers are buying into it. They seem just like any other reality show participant, enjoying their moment in the spotlight. The producers have rigged up marauders to go after them, but does anyone really believe they're in any danger? A true post-apocalyptic scenario would be a nightmare of terrors and fears with mortal peril at every turn.