It was kind of a big TV weekend with a handful of new or high-profile shows on the scene, though I say "kind of" because only one series is any good, and it's not the one from Oprah.

Wait, was that thunder?

Calm down. Whatever power that was, I'm not trashing Oprah. I'm not even trashing ABC's show, "Oprah's Big Give" -- not entirely, anyway -- because it does try to do good and help some people. Can't get enough of that.

The problem is, "Big Give" comes from the over-used reality-show handbook. It's got a couple flash-tempered contestants, some trash talking, players re-explaining events to the camera, and, of course, a panel of judges -- one of them British -- sending someone home each week.

It's so worn and cheesy, that you'll get cynical and snippy. That's the horrible part. "Oprah Big Give" will make you cynical about charity. Who wants that? Next, you'll feel guilty and terrible about yourself, just as I, indeed, feel terrible carping about this show.

It plays like "The Apprentice" meets "The Amazing Race" meets "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," except less interesting. That's the other bad thing. You'll get bored, and that'll make you feel terrible, too, being bored by charity.

If you've seen "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," you know what the last 15 minutes are like. The people in need learn they're getting some help as their entire block turns out to cheer, all while emotional music plays and the tears flow everywhere. You'll want to be happy for them. You'll so not want to be cynical at this point. Still, it'll happen, but it won't be your fault. Blame this schmaltzy, rip-off of a show.

By the way, the players don't know it, Oprah swears, but the winner gets $1 million at the end of this eight-week series. Not to keep being cynical, but I hope that person gives some of it to charity.

Rick Kushman

McClatchy Newspapers