Ghoulish fun is reality in Sci Fi's new 'House'

Who needs Trump the Hair Frump when we've got Art the Modern Primitive, whose definition of a good time is hanging from hooks inserted into the flesh on his back? Or Avocado the naturist, who eats raw food only -- in the raw?

"Mad Mad House" is the latest in reality competitions, as "The Apprentice" meets "The Munsters" for an hour of bloody games and freaking contests. The stagey Sci Fi channel show, which premieres tonight at 9, throws 10 "normal" contestants into a spooky house run by five occultists, or "Alts." As the days pass, the Alts test the players -- a bloodbath frolic, anyone? -- and vote out the least open-minded ones. Ultimately, the most Alt-friendly houseguest will take home $100,000, along with a graduate certificate in hoodoo-ology.

The "Mad Mad House" players are the usual generic cast of reality types, including the requisite exotic dancer and the token virgin, who manages to get herself ceremonially cleansed by Avocado in the first half hour of the show. The true stars are the costumed hosts, particularly Don the Vampire, a nervous, fangy fellow who's passionate about a good Bloody Mary -- hold the Mary. At one point, Don invites a player to rest in a casket, a simple wooden number equipped with -- a reality first! -- a casket cam.

And who do that Voodoo? Ta'Shia, a priestess who becomes possessed by the spirits during one of tonight's pivotal challenges. The righteous lady is bursting with the wisdom of the Other Side, or else she's a bit of an actress. But hey, let's face it: Nobody watches reality TV for the reality anymore.

Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com.

Mad Mad House
On: Sci-Fi, Tonight, 9:30