Reality television: Paralyzed from the neck up

They're young. They're sexy. And they're disabled! If you find that tasteless, then perhaps you're not the audience for "Push Girls" (10 p.m. on Sundance), a new documentary series from the makers of "Ruby" and "Little People, Big World."

"Push Girls" follows four beautiful women who require wheelchairs for mobility. One woman was paralyzed by a rare medical condition; the other three were involved in horrible car accidents. Two barely survived.

They're all attractive with good figures. One woman is a model who married a former TV star, but has since separated from him. Another is a terrific flirt who is frank about her desire and ability to have sex. Another ponders maternity, worrying more about her age (42) than her paraplegic status. A fourth "Push Girl" has had a string of fully able boyfriends and has one now who wants to get married. But she's not sure if she's ready to settle down.

On the surface, "Push Girls" is nothing like the acclaimed documentary "Murderball" that followed men in a wheelchair rugby league. But both efforts emphasize exaggerated gender roles. The guys in "Murderball" were hyper-adrenalized macho jocks who wouldn't be out of place in a "Mad Max" movie. And it seems you have to be a girlie girl to be one of the "Push Girls." What if your idea of freedom is just reading a book — without resorting to a hair salon, makeup and jewelry? There's clearly no place for such outrageous behavior on television!

"Push Girls" has a message with a capital M: that living with a disability is not an impediment to a full, interesting life. But around the time the quartet gathered for a "girls night out" and raised glasses to each other "Sex and the City" style, I gave myself permission to lunge for the remote.

With its theme of "you go, girl" empowerment, the "Push Girls" can soar as high as their spirits will take them, so long as they never shed the straitjacket of reality television's stifling cliches.

— While we're on the subject, "The Real Housewives of New York City" (9 on Bravo, TV-14) returns for a new season.

— At the risk of confusing everybody, Fox foists new seasons of "Hell's Kitchen" (8 p.m., TV-14) and "MasterChef" (9 p.m., TV-14) upon us in back-to-back fashion. Over the course of two hours, several dozen contestants concoct their "signature dish." Try to keep them straight.

— The competition moves to Austin, Texas, on "America's Got Talent" (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).

— Could somebody explain why I should care about "American Ninja Warrior" (9 p.m., NBC)?

— Tony samples Malaysian cuisine in Penang on "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" (9 p.m., Travel).

— Almost 15 years after the series went off the air, much of the cast gathers for "A Walton Wedding" (9 p.m., GMC) in this 1995 made-for-television movie.

— A secret mission to North Korea on "Hawaii Five-O" (10 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

— Arson among the fire dancers on "Grimm" (10 p.m., NBC, r, TV-14).

— A sniper terrorizes New York City on "Castle" (10 p.m., ABC, r, TV-PG).

Bette Davis plays Queen Elizabeth I in historical dramas on TCM: "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" (8 p.m.) and "The Virgin Queen" (10 p.m.).

Robin and Barney's shared secret on "How I Met Your Mother" (8 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) ... Bermuda bound on "The Bachelorette" (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG) ... The toe shoe diaries on "Breaking Pointe" (8 p.m., The CW, r) ... Dog-sitting is a step up on "2 Broke Girls" (8:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

Walden's business partner comes as a surprise to Zoey on "Two and a Half Men" (9 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14) ... A hotel staff misbehaves on "The Catalina" (9 p.m., The CW, r) ... Molly's malaise threatens the holidays on "Mike & Molly" (9:30 p.m., CBS, r, TV-14).

Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein are scheduled on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" (11 p.m., Comedy Central) ... David Mizejewski, Aaron Paul and Neon Trees appear on "Conan" (11 p.m., TBS) ... Mary J. Blige, Ben Gleib, Margaret Cho and Ross Mathews are booked on "Chelsea Lately" (11 p.m., E!).

Joan Rivers, Dario Franchitti and Silversun Pickups appear on "Late Show With David Letterman" (11:35 p.m., CBS) ... Christina Ricci, Adam Perry Lang and fun. appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (midnight, ABC).

Craig Ferguson hosts Guy Pearce and Jessica St. Clair on "The Late Late Show" (12:35 a.m., CBS, r).

Kevin McDonough can be reached at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.

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