Just when I thought my expectations couldn't get lower.

Rose/Puppet-master Mike Fleiss, the creator of The Bachelor, the show that spawned a million unlikable reality stars, has signed on to produce H8R, the CW's new Mario Lopez-hosted series about celebrities confronting the outspoken regular folks who hate them.

Obviously, the concept for H8R is right up Fleiss's (dark, scary) alley. Where loathsomeness, stardom, drama and normal people intersect -- Fleiss doesn't just "go there" on a regular basis. He lives there. But in a press release announcing his involvement today, Fleiss says he's excited about helping with H8R for a different reason:

"This is an exciting show for a number of reasons. But to me, what gives H8R legitimate breakout potential is that it is truly original. So much reality TV is completely derivative. Not H8R. I guess you can say I'm a 'h8r' of lame, derivative programming."

Yeah! Down with "lame, derivative" programming! Which reminds me: Don't miss the latest updates about Mike's other shows, The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad, both of which are spin-offs of the original Bachelor and both of which feature a never-ending cycle of past Bachelor contestants. What's the definition of "derivative" again ... ?

H8R is slated to premiere on the CW on September 14 at 8pm. One can only hope (against ones better judgment) that Fleiss's involvement and his recent fervor for all reality TV opportunities mean Jake Pavelka will make an appearance on H8R before too long.

Which celebrity would YOU choose to confront with all your 'h8'?

(Image courtesy of WENN)