SMALL SCREEN THE BUZZ ON TELEVISION.

Byline: - Compiled by Valerie Kuklenski

ISAAK'S BACK: The second season of ``The Chris Isaak Show'' had a rocky start with a story line that had Chris dating an integrity-rich reporter played by Bridget Fonda (What? A role that's not neurotic or mean-spirited or quirky?), but the comedy quickly regained its stature as one of TV's giddiest, silliest shows with inspired, oddball plots.

It returns tonight with the first of four new episodes in which Chris, his band and eternally loyal if emotionally peripatetic manager (wonderfully played by Kristin Dattilo) are stranded who-knows-where in the Midwest. They're befriended by a farmer and his family, but they're envisioning themselves in a ``Deliverance'' sequel. The truth is even more amusing.

Next week, Chris loses his voice just as he's supposed to sing the national anthem at a San Francisco Giants game. Of course, the malady stems mainly from his fear of humiliation.

THE CHRIS ISAAK SHOW, 10 tonight, Showtime.

PECS ON PARADE: Finally, the female viewer has an equivalent to that Victoria's Secret fashion show special from last November.

AMC offers a new documentary titled ``Shirtless: Hollywood's Sexiest Men,'' examining an array of movie stars in the flesh. The clips include Cary Grant, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, James Dean, Richard Gere, Denzel Washington, Rock Hudson, Montgomery Clift, George Clooney, Mel Gibson and Marlon Brando (then, not now, of course).

The show includes a few pundits talking about why sex sells and what women look for in a matinee idol, but that's what a mute button is for.

SHIRTLESS: HOLLYWOOD'S SEXIEST MEN, 10 tonight, AMC.

OH, YOU KID: A word of caution to budding performers out there: Not long after you make it big, somebody's gonna get his hands on your home videos and your high-school yearbook and track down people who will talk about the old, unsuccessful you for little or no money. Tonight, ``Driven'' looks at Kid Rock's rise from the comfort of the Michigan suburbs to the mean streets of the Detroit ghetto. His ex-drummer recalls Kid getting caught in the bathroom kissing girls, and his dance teacher remembers that his jazz dance moves were ``a little stiff.''

DRIVEN: KID ROCK, 9 tonight, VH1.

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no caption (Chris Isaak)