Jane Austen Fans Rejoice

Just when we thought we couldn't bear to turn on the TV and watch another oddly-coiffed talking head...we changed our minds upon learning that tonight is the premiere of Britain's latest reality-sensation "Regency House Party." In all the electoral hubbub, we forgot that it's Sweeps Season.

In the tradition of "The 1900 House," "Frontier House," and "Colonial House," PBS presents REGENCY HOUSE PARTY, a series of four episodes in which 10 modern-day men and women get compete for mates according to the codes of conduct typified by the Regency era.

Think of it as a civilized and even talkier version of reality-dating shows like "The Bachelor."

The fun starts at 9 PM on KCET. You can catch a rerun on KCET Monday, November 8 at midnight.

After that we plan to catch our first episode of "Drawn Together," another reality show spoof featuring animated characters living together on Comedy Central, followed by "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (perhaps that amiable fellow can make sense of last night's election mess) and then to bed.