Martha takes ‘Senior Smackdown’ to the mat

For those who know him, the fact that the Man on the Couch is a big scrooge comes as no surprise. It’s not Christmas that he hates, it’s the commercialization and greed that really get him. He doesn’t like Christmas music, and he certainly doesn’t like the seasonal favorites already starting to show on TV, such as Wednesday’s classic version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on CBS.

In fact, Wednesday night there wasn’t much on that we could agree on. He wasn’t interested in the premiere of “Secret Millionaire” or any “Top Chef” reruns.

Hence we turned to the old standby – TruTV. Although I must admit 9 p.m. brought the showing of “Most Daring: Senior Smackdown,” which we both were excited about, but ended up slightly underwhelmed.

Some of the candidates they considered to be seniors were far from the age group I would consider for the category.

And when I think “Senior Smackdown,” I want to see little old ladies pulling each other’s wigs off as they fight over a pair of Velcro shoes. I want grandpas smashing heads with their walkers, not drunken relatives falling down on the dance floor at a wedding or lame spectator sporting accidents.

While there were a few worthwhile clips that made me feel as if I hadn’t wasted an entire hour of my life, such as grandma doing a keg stand at her granddaughter’s 21st birthday, I don’t recommend you try to catch the rerun.

On the other hand, I have become a fan of “Whatever, Martha” on the Fine Living network. At the urging of her mother, Alexis Stewart – along with friend Jennifer Koppelman Hutt – takes on the domestic diva and poke funs at her crafty and culinary ways.

It’s like these ladies have reverted to their teenage years, only a little classier.

I also will admit that I’m a Martha fan and wish that my house could look as festive as hers does 365 days a year. In fact, if I could mesh myself with a little Martha, a dash of Paula Deen and a sprinkle of Rachel Ray it would be perfect.

But back to reality … if you haven’t seen “Whatever, Martha,” it’s worth checking out, and I’m sorry I didn’t jump on the “Whatever” bandwagon sooner. Tune in at 9 p.m. Tuesday as Alexis and Jennifer needle Martha as she tries to teach a group of children how to knit.

Don’t get the Fine Living network? Jump online at www.fineliving.com or search for “Whatever, Martha” on YouTube to see what you’re missing.