Editor’s Note: I have been asked by GSN to review two of the network’s newest game shows slated to premiere this Tuesday. I do not work for GSN and am not being compensated for these reviews.

The second show I’ve been asked to have a look at is “Starface,” which isn’t a remake of anything. In fact, it’s a new concept based on what has become an unfortunate trend in today’s society.

I’ll let GSN elaborate: their press release on this show begins with this:

“We live in a time when the goings-on of celebrities and the intimate details of their personal lives are considered news for mass consumption.”

That’s their first sentence. Don’t even get me started!! They’ve just explained why, in one simple sentence, I began my screening of the premiere episode with nothing but contempt in my heart.

During the animated open, the announcer says, “Welcome to ‘STARFACE,’ the only show on television…if you don’t count all the other shows.” Hmm. All right, maybe I should start reconsidering at least a little of that aforementioned contempt.

The first thing you notice about this show, hosted by raspy-voiced former child star and current reality star Danny Bonaduce, is that it doesn’t take itself seriously and that’s a good thing. It places three contestants against each other to identify less-than-flattering candid photos of celebrities, followed by a series of trivia questions about the celebs that are pictured.

If you’re the kind of person who knows what body part Johnny Depp threatened to bite off of paparazzi if they ever took photos of his children, or what reality show Jenny McCarthy likes to watch in an effort to feel better about herself — and I didn’t know the answer to either question — you will like this show. If you like to watch crazy people who get a little too excited because they do know, you will like this show.

For the first round, each correct answer is worth 50 points. The second round is played the same way but for 100 points per correct answer. Round three forces each of the three contestants to put on a giant paper mask of a specific celebrity, and Bonaduce asks questions about that famous person. The contestants must answer in first person as if they’re talking about themselves. Each correct answer in this round is worth 200 points. The contestant with the highest score by the end of this round goes on to the bonus round.

The fourth and final round of the game has the single contestant facing photos of two different celebrities. Bonaduce rapid-fires trivia questions and the contestant must correctly identify which of the two celebrities the statement applies to; ten correct answers in sixty seconds wins them a trip. It seems like it should be easy, but it ends up being much harder than it looks, even for celebrity-obsessed contestants, so it doesn’t wind up feeling “too easy” by any means.

There are some interesting features in the first two rounds, like “Mug Shot,” which features a police photo of a celebrity who ended up on the wrong side of the law; or “Below the Beltway,” which begins with a photo of a politician that’s cropped so tightly that you only see the crotch. As clues are given, they zoom out on the photo until one contestant is able to set aside their trauma from the close-up and correctly identify the politico.

Bonaduce would never be my first choice for a game show host, but then again, I’d never produce this kind of game show. But I have to admit: this show needs someone wild and crazy, and Bonaduce is a perfect fit. He’s already full enough of himself to give the show the extra humor and outrageous energy to make it very watchable.

The set — remember, I’m a purist when it comes to my game shows — is rather minimal, with two giant rear-projected Hollywood skylines over which the celebrity photographs are superimposed. For this show, the set actually works.

The prizes are the biggest problem here. I know travel expenses are a lot more than they used to be, but a trip as a grand prize? I’m not impressed. Just like I tell my relatives when they ask about birthday or Christmas presents: “cash always works.” But the contestants who won the two episodes I was given to screen seemed more than happy with their winnings, so I guess that’s the important thing.

If you are beginning to suspect by now that I, the person who is bored to death with celebrity “news,” actually enjoyed this show, you’re absolutely right. Don’t worry: I’m just as shocked as you are. This game is very watchable. And even if you don’t know the answers to the questions (and realize that your life won’t be changed for the better if you were to learn them), it’s still enough fun that you might not mind sitting through a few minutes just to see what happens next.

So, to make a long story short, (”too late!”), here’s the scoring on a scale of 1 to 5, with five being the highest:

BASIC GAME: 4.5
BONUS ROUND: 4.5
PRIZE(S): 2.0
PACING: 5.0
HOST: 4.5
SET: 4.0
MUSIC: 3.5
PLAY-ALONG FACTOR: 4.5

OVERALL: 4.0

It’s not my kind of game, but heaven help me…I like it in spite of myself!

If you have GSN, you can catch “Starface” beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, August 1st, at 9:30pm. Give it a try and let me know what you think. For people who can’t resist scanning the tabloids while you’re in the grocery store checkout lines, I’d love to get your take on the show.