The Beat: a look at three music-centric TV shows

Though it will take me awhile to forgive ABC for canceling "Samantha Who?" (Really? You ax an adorable Christina Applegate sitcom but last night brought back something called "I Survived a Japanese Game Show"?), I do give the network credit for burning off the remaining handful of episodes.

That runoff begins next Thursday with "The Rock Star," which co-stars underrated bassist/aging hunk/middling actor John Taylor of Duran Duran as Applegate's love interest.

While counting the days until Taylor will reside on my TiVo, I spent time with a trio of music-centric shows that either just returned for another season, or, in the case of MC Hammer's yes, that MC Hammer -- are new.

My findings:

"Gene Simmons Family Jewels": New episodes at 9 p.m. Sundays on A&E. Repeats endlessly.

Returning for: Season 4

Background: KISS bassist Simmons, a guy whose marketing talents are more impressive than his musical ones, comes across as a surprisingly staid dude. The show initially found success as a post-cursor to "The Osbournes" -- crazy-looking rock guy is really a softie family man! -- though Simmons' kids with longtime partner Shannon Tweed are the antithesis of the foul-mouthed brats that were Jack and Kelly Osbourne at the time.

Problems: Midway through season two, "Family Jewels" began to suffer. We all know that there is no such thing as "reality" TV, but the staged bits Might Shannon Be Pregnant?! Will Gene Admit On A Radio Show His Number Of Female Conquests?! -- were so cringe-worthy, my interest waned.

Now: The sentimental Season-4 opener found Gene and Shannon planning a Sweet 16 party for their lovely daughter, Sophie. The best part about the ep -- aside from shaggily handsome son Nick, 20, devising ways to affectionately humiliate his sister during her party were home-video flashbacks of the family. When the Tweed-Simmons clan is unfiltered, there is a lot of charm there.

. . .

"Z Rock": New episodes at 11 p.m. Sundays on IFC. Repeats endlessly.

Returning for: Season 2

Background: The Brooklyn rock trio Z02 (singer Paulie Z and his brother, bassist David Z, plus drummer Joey Cassata) is a real band starring in a quasi-reality series. At night, they play grungy New York clubs. But to pay the bills, the group cleans up its language and plays children's parties.

At the end of the first season, Z02 was a second away from a record contract until playboy David was caught getting frisky with the record executive's wife.

Cue the end of the band.

Problems: Not many for this charmingly low-budget series on the Independent Film Channel. But because it's partially scripted and these guys aren't actors, there is the tendency for lines to overlap.

Now: When the show resumed June 7, the guys were working cruddy non-music jobs until recurring guest stars Joan Rivers and Dee Snider sneakily helped them reunite.

The current ep, "I Wanna Be Z-Dated," follows the trio as they prowl for love. All of them have different requirements, but Joey's request is the toughest: a girl who can make manicotti like his Nonna used to. Amazingly, he finds her in Bethenny Frankel, on loan from Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City."

. . .

"Hammertime": New episodes at 10 p.m. Sundays on A&E. Repeats endlessly.

Season: Series debut

Background: Stanley Burrell (aka MC Hammer) sold almost 50 million records in the early'90s, while making baggy, garish pants an unfortunate fashion statement.

He famously went bankrupt in 1996, but he's apparently earned a decent living with Web site ventures, corporate performances and deals to star in or license his music for commercials.

Now: He and his wife of 24 years, Stephanie, live in Tracy, Calif., with their six kids and receive constant visits from Cousin Marv, the kind of doughy, marble-mouthed hang-around who might be written into a sitcom.

If watching Hammer coach dancers for a new video, attend "Take Dad to School Day" with cutie-pie son Jeremiah or coax daughter Sarah into gaining singing confidence captures your attention, you're more easily entertained than I.

Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or .