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Gee, Marcus, maybe throwing the immunity idol into the ocean wasn't the brightest idea ever.

Tonight, Animal Planet debuts Whale Wars, a series that follows the crew of boat that's dedicated to stopping Japanese whalers in the Antarctic. The series was my most-anticipated new show of the fall, and the first episode, at least, delivers. The crew's mission is complex and fascinating, and the series doesn't ignore that what they're doing is controversial. Although commercial whaling is banned, some whales can be killed for scientific research, which is what the Japanese vessels insist they're doing. That international law insists that those killed for research shouldn't be wasted, so whale meat is still sold. The Sea Shepherd members, however, insist those boats are using research as a cover to hunt whales for commercial purposes. While Japanese boats kill whales on deck, their crew members hold up massive signs that say things like, "We're weighing stomach contents" and "We're collecting tissue samples," and their ships have the word "RESEARCH" painted on the side in English.

ABC's newest reality series True Beauty will give its 10 contestants the chance to compete for cash and a spot in People's 100 Most Beautiful People issue, but the contestants won't know they're also being judged on their "inner beauty" in addition to their external characteristics. Its six female and four male "contestants assume they're being judged solely on their outer appearance" but "are also being evaluated -- unbeknownst to them -- for their INNER beauty as well when they're put through scenarios and situations that require them to make moral decisions," according to an ABC press release. Following the standard formula, they'll compete in two challenges per episode, but no one will know of the twist until "after someone is eliminated" when "the truth about the show be revealed to him/her, as they watch a video montage of their behavior captured by a hidden camera during the shoot." Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher executive produce the new series (as does Denise Cramsey), whic

Marcus Lehman was voted out of Survivor Gabon last night following yet another tribe shake-up. I talked to him a few minutes ago, and he was remarkably and impressively positive, humble, and reflective about the experience and his game play, his relationships, and even, yes, his penis' appearance on national television. (The headline, I hope, characterizes his upbeat attitude.) The vote was pretty stunning, if only because it left the game without one of its strongest players (mentally and physically). Despite the outcome, Marcus told me he wouldn't change anything about his game play, although he wishes Bob would have helped him convince Susie it was in her best interest to stick with the alliance. Instead, she flipped, joining Crystal and Kenny, which disappointed Marcus--especially because he bonded with Crystal over the fact that his best friend is her cousin, which they discovered at the faux-merge feast. "It comes down to having some faith in people. And I do. I hope that for th