I got cable installed in my apartment a couple days before Christmas, after over a year and half without it. Just in the nick of time as it turns out, because what promises to be a truly excellent example of bad television is going to start airing on Jan. 10. CBS is bringing us "Armed and Famous," a show that follows five celebrities through a real police academy.

I did a little googling and here's what I've pieced together. It takes place within the Muncie, Indiana police department. The celebrities are Erik Estrada, La Toya Jackson, Jack Osbourne (Ozzy's kid and recovering OxyContin addict), Wee-man from MTV's "Jackass," and Trish Stratus, whom I have never heard of, but the website said was a wrestler or something.

I tried to watch clips of the show, but my stupid computer refuses to play them. But there's already a Wikipedia entry, and I found some articles on that site.

One article I found said the show was filming for about a month, so either Indiana academies have far fewer requirements than California, or the celebrities didn't actually attend a "real" academy. My money's on the latter, but who knows. Another article said that they were sworn in as a reserve officers on Dec. 5.

I'm not sure exactly what the difference between a regular officer and a reserve officer is. More internet research seems to suggest it simply means the reserve officer aren't paid. An Indiana newspaper article I found said reserve officer standards include psychological and physical examinations and 40 hours of basic training in firearms and defensive tactics and other subjects. I'm not sure if that means 40 hours of each subject, or 40 hours total.

Doesn't matter. It's reality TV, so no one expects it to be remotely real. I do expect someone to cry, throw something at the wall, then stomp out, only to come back after commercial break, apologize and say they're just having a hard time. I better see some inappropriate flirting and generally disgraceful behavior. Since they will be working with real officers, I bet they'll be some very uncomfortable cops, quietly horrified by what's happening, and there only to make the celebrities seem all the more outrageous compared to normal people. And the newspaper article said the producers promised not to make a mockery of the town or the department, but if at any point during taping of the show the officers responded to any call involving livestock in any way, I bet that makes it on the air. After the show airs, I'll be scouring the internet to find the article where the chief says the show didn't represent the department the way it really is and how he wishes he'd never agreed to it.

So check it out at 8 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 10 on CBS, and expect a full discussion about it after it airs.

-- CS