Expedition Impossible

Expedition Impossible, executive-produced by Mark Burnett ("Survivor"), is [not] the worst reality show ever (not by a long shot), but it reveals how challenging it must be for producers to introduce a whole mess of teams in a season premiere.

Creatively speaking, though, Expedition travels such a familiar course it's merely proof that when it comes to unscripted competitions, even top producers like Burnett continue to be extremely eco-friendly--starting with their conceptual commitment to recycling.

Burnett's veteran producers and editors know their way around casting and cutting this type of show, and they've hit upon a good formula here.

Once the race starts, the drill is familiar. Sand dunes, snowy peaks, raging rapids, weekly eliminations. It doesn't diminish the achievements of the contestants that we sometimes feel like we've been there and seen that.

This "Amazing Race" doppelganger, produced by Mark Burnett, is culturally tone-deaf, stunningly dull and lazy, with only minor innovations to the format.