Let's Just Call This Disappointment TV

Let's just call this disappointment tv

Oh, "Dancing With the Stars," Piers Morgan and superhero movies, how you disappoint

Not that any main network series, talk-show personalities or big-budget Hollywood productions are waiting by the phone to see what I feel.

But what is life with out a bit griping over minor letdowns? Some of the current leaders on this week's top-40 pop culture disappointment chart incorporate:

"Dancing With the Stars." ABC has announced a new cast that's nowhere near as fun as the one you had been anticipating. "Karate Kid" Ralph Macchio, sitcom veteran Kirstie Alley, boxing champ Sugar Ray Leonard and daytime diva Wendy Williams could be intriguing. But Los Angeles DJ Psycho Mike, reality star Kendra Wilkinson and Disney Channel star Chelsea Kane? And a few other people who seem to lack the prospective for Kristi Yamaguchi perfection or Kate Gosselin wackiness? What if they

away a disco ball trophy and nobody cared

Piers Morgan. Too arch. Too self-absorbed. Too delighted with his own cleverness. Sorry, but CNN's new host has me missing the abruptly barked questions and preparation-free approach of Larry King.

Network and cable news coverage of Charlie Sheen. There has been a lengthy line of gawkers at the sad, outrageous saga of the "Two and a Half Men" star. ABC's "20/20" special, NBC's "Today" and "Piers Morgan Tonight" aired interviews, although other people replayed Sheen's comments about tiger blood, Adonis DNA, the goddesses and so on. Regardless of how much it is argued that this story is about addiction, a power struggle over a hit show or the pitfalls of too a lot fame and income, it is genuinely just about exploiting Sheen's woes. And it is working: The "20/20" Sheen interview earned comparatively good ratings. What the networks aren't performing, credibility-wise: winning.

British superhero invasion. Inside the newest example of outsourcing, British actor Henry Cavill will play Superman on the big screen. With Christian Bale as Batman and Andrew Garfield of "The Social Network" as the new Spider-Man, that means 3 guys with ties to our ally across the pond are portraying the Massive Three of comic book crusaders, caped or otherwise. Possibly they should have just gotten Russell Brand to play Captain America.

Joan Rivers. Longtime Television viewers of the "Fashion Police" specials used to enjoy her snarky jokes and smart critiques. But now that the show can be a Friday night normal on E!, it's fundamentally Rivers delivering vulgar, over-the-top remarks and her cohosts guffawing and gasping in appalled awe. Can we talk, Joan? Bring back your far more sophisticated fashionista opinions

conan." I'm not blaming the beard. I'm just saying there is something about Conan O'Brien's new TBS show that doesn't have the magic of his NBC late, late format or his indignant final episodes on the "Tonight" show. And, no, Conan attempting on a pair of jeggings does not count as comedy innovation.

James Franco. He didn't deserve all the Franco bashing that erupted after the Oscars. But it's still a bummer that he wasn't nearly as funny as a cohost as he was inside the "127 Hours" scene where, even though trapped in a crevice, he pretends to be both a talk-show host and a hapless guest.

"American Idol." Based on what I've seen of the new, improved "Idol," Randy Jackson and newbie judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are handing out encouragement like Tony Robbins at a self-improvement convention. The other night, J. Lo was comparing a person to the legendary Luther Vandross and said, 'He's gone, but now we have you." And this was throughout the semifinals for the guys. You'll find a lot of weeks and compliments to go. Man, do I miss Simon Cowell's mean streak.