And to prove it, the networks are pulling out all the stops as they roll out their best shows for the spring sweeps.

Coming up on Must See TV: Cher stars as America’s favorite female astronaut, Major Toni Nelson, who finds herself sharing a house with a 10,000 year-old genie who also happens to be one of the hottest musicians on the road today. You’ll have a whale of a time watching I Dream Of Moby. Laughs ensue in the premier episode as Moby misunderstands Toni’s remark about how she “wishes they were bigger.” John Tesh costars as sidekick Major Roger Healy, and Elton John appears as Dr. Bellows. Monday nights at 8:00 p.m.

Look out Bachelor! Fox is going to push the envelope of reality programming as 500 beautiful women vie for the chance to join a middle-aged divorced man in his private sports arena skybox to watch concerts by Eagles, U2 and Santana. It’s The Mac Daddy, airing Wednesdays on Fox. Catch the fun this week as The Macster narrows the field down to 375 lucky contestants who will accompany him to see Neil Diamond. Parental guidance suggested.

Move over, Ozzy! They’re America’s original whacked-out family, and they’re coming to the WB! Join Tex, Squeaky, Leslie, and of course, Charlie, in the freshest reality series of the year, The Mansons. Be sure to catch all the weekly antics as Charlie fumbles through a typical day on the deserted movie ranch while trying to convince Velvet Revolver to record one of his songs.

“Squeaky! Could you bring me a bandage? I think I cut myself shaving. There’s blood all over the bathroom sink!”

“Oh, Charlie, you big dufus, how many times do I have to tell you, that’s not your blood.”

“Oh, yeah, right. Heh, heh.”

Yes, it’s going to be a spring TV season like no other, with Cher, The Mac and Charlie! And if you spend this spring blowing off live concerts like The Allman Brothers Band and Ratdog so that you can watch these exciting new programs, then we’re sure you’ll agree that when it comes to commercially supported, free television…

You get what you pay for.