I'll admit, when I first heard singer Monica was getting a reality show I thought, why?

I don't have anything against her.

The girl can sing.

She seems level-headed, and I love that her signature look is to slip her long legs into thigh-high boots, before this season.

But all that doesn't make her all that interesting.

So I was surprised to find I actually liked "Monica: Still Standing" (BET 10 tonght).

When you're a celebrity who has messed up or is in need of a career boost, the antidote is the reality show.

So it shouldn't be a surprise that Michael Vick is partnering with BET for an eight-part docu-series scheduled to air early next year, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Tentatively titled "The Michael Vick Project" the show willl spotlight his comeback with the Philadelphia Eagles and deal with his past, including his childhood and his 2007 arrest for funding a dogfighting ring.

Last night, BET debuted its new late-night talk show 'The Mo'Nique Show" starring that brash, plus-size, one-named comedian.

She's now the first black woman in TV history to have her own late night show.
(It airs weeknights at 11.)

And boy was she grateful for the opportunity.

NBC's "Trauma" offers a fictional take on first responders.

Tonight at 10, BET debuts "First In," a reality series that follows the lives of firefighters and paramedics in Compton.

The half-hour, 10-episode series is narrated and produced by Tyrese Gibson, the singer/actor/model; he's probably best known now for "Transformers."

Cops & America's Most Wanted (8pm, FOX) - Fox has premieres tonight for two long-running series: "Cops" (8pm and 8:30) and "America's Most Wanted" (9pm). "Cops" action takes place in Las Vegas and San Bernardino County, California. "America's Most Wanted," with host John Walsh, is searching for a Texas babysitter wanted for murdering a 2-year-old left in her care.

The Locator (9pm, We) - Season 3 of "The Locator" begins tonight with Troy Dunn helping a recovering alcoholic search for his daughter after 15 years of separation. Also, a terminally ill woman looks for her father, whom she hasn't seen since she was 12 years old. Major Kleenex potential here. 

Making His Band (9pm, MTV) -  Diddy drops in unexpectedly on the musicians remaining in the competition. Jamereo Artis of Wilson, NC, is still in the mix.

Heart of the City (9:30, BET) - This BET original documentary series looks at problems in some of America's most troubled cities. Tonight they look at Detroit's education system and the high volume of failing kids.

If you haven't completely burned out on Michael Jackson specials, this could be your chance.

Today is Michael's 51st birthday, so there's more MJ programming on than usual. And on the heels of news that his death has been officially declared a homicide, interest could be as strong as ever.

E! has Jackson shows on pretty much all day, with just a few gaps here at there. At 10am, "Forbes Presents: Michael Jackson - Follow the Money" takes a look at Jackson's precarious financial . . .

There will of course be tons of Michael Jackson coverage on TV tonight, but if you're in the mood for something else....

The Great American Road Trip (8pm, NBC) - Seven disparate families travel across the US and compete in humorous challenges at landmarks such as the Grand Canyon. The journey begins tonight from Wrigley Field in Chicago (How do they travel "across" the country if they start in the middle?).

18 Kids and Counting (9pm, TLC) - With the Gosselins on hiatus, you can get your "pack o' kids" fix with the Duggar family of Arkansas, a couple of married high school sweethearts who have 18 kids (and counting). Of the 18 kids, there are two sets of twins and the rest were born individually. And all 18 children have names starting with "J." No comment.

Tiny and Toya (10pm, BET) - Tiny plans a birthday party for her son but is distracted by her suspicion that T.I. has a surprise for her.

                           Photo Courtesy of ECHHS website

Following their June win on BET's nationally-syndicated program "106 and Park Wild Out Wednesday," the Wildcats cheerleaders from East Chapel Hill High are gearing up for a return visit to the show Aug. 5.

The girls on the team are hoping their formula of "sassy but classy" (not to mention the support of friends and family who can vote on BET's website at home) will help them beat their new competition.

You can watch a clip of their June performance on BET's website here.

The show is scheduled to broadcast live Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. on BET.

Networks are scrambling so we're not sure exactly what will be on tonight, but expect more special Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett coverage for sure. Here's what we know about so far, but we'll try to update throughout the day if we learn of more.  

The Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration (8pm, TV One) - TV One originally planned to air "The Michael Jackson Story" but will air this special instead. It repeats at 11pm.  TV One will have special Michael Jackson programming throughout the weekend.

The Life and Death of Michael Jackson (9pm, ABC) - ABC News special coverage of Jackson's death and a look back at his career and controversial life.

Farrah's Story (9pm, NBC) - NBC is replaying the gut-wrenching documentary originally aired last month, which chronicles Farrah's fight against cancer.  It's worth watching, or at least taping if you're watching Jackson coverage.

UPDATE: MTV will continue playing Michael Jackson videos (that's right, MTV is playing actual music videos!) and Jackson footage all day today until 6pm. Starting at 6pm, MTV will air other special Michael Jackson programming. Their sister channel, MTV2 is also playing Michael Jackson videos and specials all day today and tomorrow.

BET is also currently playing Jackson videos and will air a "BET Awards" special at 5pm featuring a surprise performance by Michael, and will rebroadcast their tribute from Thursday tonight from 6pm to 7:30.

Multichannel News reports that Centric will launch with 45 million subscribers, and BET will handle the operations.

BET J, apparently, will be "refreshed."

Centric will feature entertainment and reality shows, but execs said, could broaden to include some news and public affairs programming.

Some of the original shows already slated include 'Model City,' a reality show about African-American models in New York; and 'Keeping Up With the Joneses,' about the adventures of a Houston-based female entrepreneur.