Celebrity Rap Superstar (MTV)

Touted by MTV as the rap battle of the century, CELEBRITY RAP SUPERSTAR pits mid-level celebs against each other as they try to perform their way into hip-hop stardom. The superstar hopefuls include former football player Jamal Anderson, Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson, Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach, troubled The Hills cast member Jason Wahler, celeb gossip blogger Perez Hilton, and actors Countess Vaughn, Shar Jackson, and Efren Ramirez. Well-known rap musicians like Bubba Sparks, MC Lyte, and Tone-Loc mentor the contestants as they master the skill of rapping -- and help them look and sound a bit more like hip-hop artists in the process.

The series isn't that much of a departure from other reality performance competitions like American Idol. But while Idol and its counterparts offer their winners major prize money and lucrative contracts, Superstar simply gives its victor the opportunity to earn bragging rights and respect from the hip-hop world -- as well as the chance to get on stage and have some fun.

While the show has its share of suggestive lyrics and dance moves -- both in-line with the hip-hop culture -- it does give audiences a chance to appreciate rapping as an art form that takes years to perfect. Granted, the process is a little painful when some of the less musically gifted contestants butcher the lyrics or fail to carry a tune. But some of them do provide surprisingly enjoyable moments of entertainment as they begin to learn and value the talent and skill that goes into becoming a true rap superstar.

TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: MTV
Cast: Da Brat, Jamal Anderson, Sebastian Bach
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: MTV