99 Words About … The end of ‘Jersey Shore’ and its successor

Just when you thought you couldn't hear a better combination of phrases than " 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' " and "season finale" comes this: " 'Jersey Shore' " and "the final season."

But while the final episodes of "Jersey" (10 p.m. today, MTV) offer cause to celebrate, Honey Boo Boo's arrival serves as a reminder: There's always something worse on the horizon.

They're basically the same show. Strange creatures with weird nicknames gleefully fulfilling stereotypes with round bundles of ridiculousness at their centers.

But relax. If "Jersey" taught us anything, it's that these things burn faster and brighter than their stars.

- CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE