Reality television and politics aren’t two words likely to appear in the same sentence, but while watching CNN last week I got a surprise.

“On the Road in America” is geared to a Middle East audience to improve Arabs’ image of the United States by bringing three students to America for a visit.

A CNN interview with one of the female students who came to the States on the show gave an honest picture of the reception the group received. Followed by an entourage of cameramen and other television crew, the woman told reporters that they were well-received, but that she wanted to come back on her own to see how she was treated by people when there wasn’t a camera in her face.

Some of the sponsors of the show might surprise you – former president George H.W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, “60 Minutes” creator Don Hewitt, and the list goes on to credit other presidential administrators, according to The New York Times.

I’d be interested to hear what others have to say about this political attempt to conduct damage control after four years of American military occupancy in Iraq.

Most of the reality television we have become so addicted to is an escape from war, politics, work and everyday goings-on. This is something different, and while I’m not sure if it’s the answer – after all, don’t most people put on a show for the camera? – it is a new idea in reinventing the face of America around the world. But is it an honest representation?

Is any reality television an honest representation?

Enough about serious matters; that’s not what you’re here for.

“Tabloid Wars” already provided us a look into the print media world, and the TV Guide Channel is taking it to the next level with its first original reality series, “Making News: Texas Style.”

The show turns the cameras around so that viewers can see what happens behind the scenes of a CBS affiliate based in Midland-Odessa, Texas, while making the nightly news.

Filming of the 13-episode weekly series started last month on location, but no premiere date has been announced.

Stay tuned.