The greatest car show ever made, "Top Gear," returns for a 12th season on BBC America at 8 p.m. Monday night (and rerun a million times). It doesn't matter if you don't know an Enzo from a Zonda (hint: they both go fast), "Top Gear" has a gleeful appeal to the common viewer.

The setup is this: host Jeremy Clarkson (in the news recently for being his brash, politically incorrect self) and assistants Richard Hammond (who barely survived the gnarliest crash you'll ever see a couple of seasons back) and James May ( the frumpy "Captain Slow") take the fastest, sleekest, most expensive cars on the market out for test drives. And depending on the cars' performance, they either get drooled over or mercilessly mocked. Celebrities fly around the test track, cars are ranked by their coolness quotient, the hosts take on wacky challenges (racing a bullet train, turning vans into boats and racing across the English Channel, double-decker car races against their German dopplegangers), and lording over it all is the greatest driver in the history of mankind, the mysterious Stig.

The appeal of the show is two-pronged: the chemistry of the hosts and the cool toys they play with. It's a lot like "Mythbusters" in that sense. The hosts seem to be having a genuinely fun time, almost like they can't believe they're getting paid to do what they love, and the things they get to do just make you go "Dude, that's so cool."

It's all great fun. I'm no gearhead, but I can watch a "Top Gear" marathon all day long. Exotic cars, the purring of European engines, the ever-present element of danger, all topped off with cool English accents. It's awesome, and I highly recommend checking it out.

This season will feature a road trip from San Francisco to Utah (I hope it goes better than their trip to the Deep South); the challenge of racing from Switzerland to northern England on a single tank of fuel; a Mediterranean powerboat race; tests of classic Communist Bloc cars, the new Ford Fiesta (seriously?) and the hydrogen-powered Honda Clarity; and the return of the original Stig.

The 14th season of "The Amazing Race" starts Sunday, Feb. 15, on CBS and it's never too early to check out the field. This season's cast actually looks pretty impressive, a little older than usual with more "real" people and fewer model/actor types. They all describe themselves as competitive (yawn), but there are thankfully fewer couples who describe themselves as "intense" (code for a--hole) or who say they're using the race to make or break their relationships.

Season 14 will span 40,000 miles and nine countries over 12 episodes. Highlights include stops in Siberia, China, India, Switzerland and Romania.

I'm optimistic for a return to the high-quality seasons of years past. Here's my take on the racers:

Cara & Jaime: Team Pretty Faces -- best friends and former Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. When touting her abilities, Cara says she doesn't want to sound conceited, which means she's been called conceited before. And thus, probably is. They say they've travelled to at least 20 countries, which could be helpful. But their bio says they're not above using their looks to their advantage, which isn't a good sign. And sounds kinda conceited. My take: They're athletic and smart, but won't last past the midpoint of the race.

Christie & Jodi: Team Seats-In-Their-Upright-Positions -- best friends and veteran flight attendants. I think this team could last a while. Their familiarity of airports, travel experience and knowledge of how to get maximum assistance from flight crews could prove invaluable. They say they're huge fans of the show and have rewatched old seasons, so theoretically they know what not to do. I also like how they're in that late-30s, early-40s age bracket -- so often "TAR's" female racers are either lithe 20-somethings or moms over 50. These guys seem to be one of the more well-rounded teams -- smart, well-traveled and athletic -- and I think they could contend. My take: Good bet for the final four.

Margie & Luke: Team Don't-Underestimate-Us -- mom and son. Luke's deaf -- a first for an Amazing Racer -- and he and Margie communicate through sign language. They think their ability to communicate silently could be an advantage. He says he's a huge fan of the show, and very detail-oriented. They seem to be an early fan favorite team, but I can't help but wonder if Luke's disability will hurt them down the road. Remember, there are usually tasks where the teammates must split up, and communicating through American Sign Language can't be an easy task in a foreign country. My take: Nice story, but it'll end in an early stage.

Mike & Mel: Team Speed-It-Up! Usually I hate stunt casting (um, Rob & Amber anyone?), but I'm digging this one. The father-son combo consists of Mike White, who wrote the movies "Chuck & Buck, " "The Good Girl" and "School of Rock," and his dad, Mel White, a clergyman and former speechwriter for Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, came out of the closet in 1994 and is now a gay-rights activist. Quite possibly the most interesting team ever, outside of the race. They're both well-traveled and tout their communication skills. Mike's written some really funny stuff over the years, and they could excel most at dry, witty banter. Sadly, as entertaining as that might be, that's not usually a useful skill on "TAR." Enjoy them while you can, because I don't think they're athletic enough to keep up. My take: They could be the first team to go.

Amanda & Kris: Team "Babe" -- a young couple who've been dating three years and are on the race to get even closer together. They sound waaaaay lovey-dovey, and I'm voting them most likely to call each other "babe" every other sentence. That could get annoying. They haven't travelled much before, and say their stubbornness could cause problems. They're also young and physically fit and somehow think they'll be underestimated because of that. (Yeah, I don't get it either.) Honestly, they seem a bit vapid and are one of my least favorite teams, at least at this point. However, annoying but fit teams always seem to find a way to last. My take: They'll be around a while. Top four.

Brad & Victoria: Team Old Folks -- but this married couple isn't as old as previous teams. He's a former addict, she has a history of medical problems and was told she'd never run again. So they know how to overcome obstacles and how to bring out the best in themselves. They seem smart and pretty fit, and might just surprise folks and go far. My take: If they can beat killer fatigue, they could be in the top five.

Jennifer & Preston: Team Shut-The-Hell-Up -- a young, Southern couple who can't even agree on why they're racing. He says it's for the opportunity to travel "all over the country" (ummm.....), she insists it's to make or break their relationship. Which is always the best reason to go on this show. I already hate this team. Neither one has traveled much, they bicker all the time and say they fight even more when they're tired. Hoo boy. This is a trainwreck waiting to happen. The best they can hope for is the novelty of breaking up in Uzbekistan or someplace exotic like that. My take: They'll be gone early, and in a giant fireball.

Tammy & Victor: Team Intensity -- the brother/sister combo are both Harvard Law grads and corporate litigators. Um, competitive much? He seems to be a control freak, especially when it comes to controlling his sister. She seems a little more laid back. And they're both on the race because they want a fun break from the pressure and hard work their entire lives have been up to this point. Let me tell you, when "TAR" is considered a relaxing vacation, that's a sign you're too intense. These guys seem smart, savvy and fit, but they bicker a lot and know how to push each others' buttons. Oh, and he thinks Africa is a country, and she wants to go to India because it's "that yoga place." That aside, I think this team could go far. Sibling bickering seems to affect racers less than relationship bickering. My take: Looking for a favorite to win? Look no further.

Mark & Michael: Team Stuntmen -- a pair of 50-ish brothers, both 4-foot-9, who work as Hollywood stuntmen. This team reminds me of the clowns from Season 4. Not overtly physically impressive, but they obviously have skills and are fit. They could be a surprise and fun to watch. I don't know if they'll last too long though. My take: Gone by mid-race.

Linda & Steve: Team Zzzzz -- another older (well, older in the context of this show) married couple. Another couple who say they're both huge fans of the show. Hmmm, lots of fanboy casting this season, I'll be curious to see if their fandom helps at all. Steve says he's claustrophobic, so you know his first challenge will involve crawling through a dark, tight tunnel or something. I'm sure they're nice, but they don't impress me at all. My take: One of the first teams to go.

LaKisha & Jennifer: Team "You Know" -- sisters and both, you know, former college athletes. They seem, you know, smart and fit, but, you know, headstrong and prone to bickering, you know? Jennifer says they'll play, you know, fair and won't be an evil team because, you know, being evil requires too much thought. They might be, you know, tough, but I'm more inclined to think they'll, you know, implode because both want to be, you know, the leader. If you want to get really drunk, play a game where you take a shot every time one of them says "you know." Watch their video, you'll know what I mean. My take: They're strong enough to last until the final five.

You can check out video bios of all the racers on the CBS site.

"Reaper" is coming back for a second season two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. Look for it on the CW starting March 3. The fun supernatural thriller is lightweight, but a good fix for those who were fans of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel." Ray Wise is so good as Satan.

TNT has renewed "Leverage" for a second season. It's a remake of the BBC series "Hustle," which I prefer, but it's not terrible. Look for another 15 episodes before the end of the year. If you're a fan of "Leverage," I recommend checking out "Hustle" -- the first four seasons of are available on DVD. It airs on AMC, but it's not on the current schedule. Con artists are always cooler when they have British accents anyway.

Flight of the Conchords are going on a two-month tour to correspond with their second season on HBO. They'll end it in with two shows in Berkeley on May 25. I heard raves about their San Francisco shows last year.

Epicurious has a good post on why this season of "Top Chef" isn't up to par. Can't say I disagree about any of their points.

Ken Burns' next TV project will be a 12-hour, six-part examination of the National Park system. Described as "a history, not a travelogue," it should still be spectacular in HD. Look for it in September on PBS.

CBS has green-lit a show about arranged marriages. The new reality series will put four people into arranged (and legal) marriages and then follow the newlyweds' new lives. CBS obviously didn't learn a single lesson from their "Kid Nation" debacle, because this sounds like the most repulsive show ever made. I just love a society where gay folks who actually love each other can't get married, but random people who don't know each other can -- on a reality show.

The Southern California mother who just had octuplets is fielding offers for a reality show about her and her 14 kids under the age of 7. There's so much that's so wrong with this. I'm sure CBS will be all over it.