For the like of Ray J

Despite the fact that Ray is sitting at the foot of a gargantuan bed while he ruminates on a girls intentions or his initial attractions (his commentary is enhanced by multiple hand-pumping motions and grunts that serve as compliments), the guy has a head on his shoulders. He may be playing the camera, but he is definitely convincing when he says to the ladies during their first meeting that he's looking for "the one."

Hear that, Antonio? And he didn't even bring his mama. Not yet, anyway.

Yes, there was the awful segment where the porn names, I mean, nicknames, get assigned---Paradeez and Lava among the worst---but it wasn't awful. Not by a long shot. He eliminated the dead weight right off the bat, even though Fettucini (don't ask) could have provided some serious tension in the girls' house.

I can't discount this show. I consider Ray J a more palatable bachelor than some of ABC's much blander hopefuls, and there were even some women who weren't looking for a quickie after dinner. Or a shot of booze. One was even celibate---and he kept her anyway!

In this season of ho-hum reality shows, I willingly turned away from tonight's "Dancing With the Stars" to see how Ray J oversaw the festivities. He was funny, wanted to have real conversations instead of listing his favorite things, and kept things casual. He didn't judge the presumptuous woman who lap-danced for him and then did the splits across the couch. Not even Bruno Tonioli could have restrained himself the way Ray did. Quite impressive.

And, although there's still much to come, and presumably much to roll your eyes over, it's appealing somehow. Next episode: the crazy challenges begin. Whee!