Tuesday TV: Bristol’s Back on Reality TV

It may not have been fair for Bristol Palin to be thrust into the limelight because of her mother’s political ambition. It was certainly bad timing that she was a pregnant teen just about the time her family was being introduced to the world.

She eschewed some of the negative attention she got as a result. But since then, she has done nothing than put herself up for criticism by living her life in reality TV, first on “Dancing with the Stars” and now on her own “Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.), by far the worst of the Palin reality shows, she shows her true colors (but not her true chin).

The contrivance of the show is that she’s moving to Beverly Hills, like Jed Clampett before her, to try a new life. It’s not a real life – it’s a reality show life. So she moves into a mansion, like she’s “The Bachelorette” and talks her sister Willow into taking care of her kid. Willow’s not that thrilled about it, and wants to go home.

A bigger problem happens at a bar where Bristol wants to ride a mechanical bull and a lout at the bar calls her mother a whore. Now there are many arguments to be made against the political stances of  Sarah Palin, but this is not one of them.

But her response to him is equally bad: “Is this because you are a homosexual?” she asks him. (Well he is gay, it turns out).

“Life’s a Tripp” is not going to be the place to go for political insight, obviously, but it’s not much of a place for entertainment either. Mostly, it’s a place for a whiny kid who doesn’t know what she wants to do but hates people for making fun of her for what she decides to do: be on a reality TV show. Better off with the other show Bristol was qualified to be on: “Teen Mom” (MTV. 10 p.m.).

Game 4 of the NBA Finals has Thunder at Heat (ABC, 9 p.m.). Miami leads the series 2-1. If it gets dull, retired NBA coach Phil Jackson is profiled on a new “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO, 10 p.m.).

Britain’s 20 coolest people are enumerated on “The Brit List” (BBC America, 10 p.m.). But one native son, John Lennon, gets a whole hour: “Discovering Lennon” (BBC America, 9 p.m.), with perspectives from artist Damien Hirst and producer Mark Ronson, among others.

A new “Our America with Lisa Ling” (OWN, 10 p.m.) talks with women who are moved to become nuns on a report titled “Brides of Christ.”

Sleaze at eight of clock: There’s a “Sex in South Beach” party at “The Catalina” (The CW, 8 p.m.).

They must be trying to finish these in a hurry: Two more new episodes of “Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) and “MasterChef” (Fox, 9 p.m.).

Which L.A. rerun do you want: “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 9 p.m.) or “The L.A. Complex” (The CW, 9 p.m.)?

Seth Green, Eric Mabius and Cybill Shepherd all guest star on “Franklin & Bash” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.).

The couples on “Love in the Wild” (NBC, 10 p.m.) are shackled together, and maybe they’ll make them watch their own show.

Here’s another chance to see the fine season finales of  “The Big C” (Showtime, 9 p.m.), “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime, 9:30 p.m.) and “The Borgias” (8 and 10 p.m.).

Ice imperils the ships on “Deadliest Catch” (Discovery, 9 p.m.).

With the auditions over, the best of them are compiled on a two hour “America’s Got Talent” (NBC, 8 p.m.).

Blackballed writer Dalton Trumbo turned out some pretty good screenplays, showcased tonight on Turner Classic Movies: “Spartacus” (8 p.m.), “The Brave One” (11:30 p.m.), written under the name Robert Rich, “The Boss” (1:30 a.m.), “He Ran All the Way” (3:15 a.m.) and a film about the blacklisting era, “The Front” (4:45 a.m.).

Daytime Talk

Kelly Ripa: Mary J. Blige, Mark Feuerstein, Rita Wilson, Cat Cora, Nick Lachey. The View: Justin Bieber. The Talk: Adam Carolla, Dan Bucatinsky, Justin Silver. Ellen DeGeneres: Sam Worthington, Michael Strahan, Seal (rerun).

Late Talk

David Letterman: Jeff Daniels, Benjamin Walker, Walk the Moon. Jay Leno: Matthew McConaughey, Natasha Leggero, Grouplove. Jimmy Kimmel: Sally Field, Kevin Love, Waka Flocka Flame. Jimmy Fallon: Michelle Pfeiffer, Cedric the Entertainer, Dirty Projectors, Larry Dunn. Craig Ferguson: Steve Carell, Snoop Dogg. Tavis Smiley: Morgan Freeman. Carson Daly: Jamal Simmons, Angus Wall & Kirk Baxter, Young the Giant (rerun). Jon Stewart: Sen. Marco Rubio. Stephen Colbert: Olivia Wilde. Conan O’Brien: Sharon Osbourne, Ashley Fiolek, Chad Daniels. Chelsea Handler: Cat Cora, Brody Stevens, Natasha Leggero, Ross Mathews.