Bringing a dose of the real world to "The Real World," MTV's documentary "Return to Duty" chronicles the story of "The Real World: Brooklyn" cast member Ryan Conklin, who was recalled for a second tour of duty in Iraq.

Premiering on Nov. 11 (yes, Veteran's Day) at 9 p.m., "Return to Duty" is billed as "Ryan's gritty and very personal document." Actually, the project is more notable for the venue -- airing on MTV, and thus reaching a youth audience that generally doesn't tune into TV news -- than the particular merits of the production itself.

There are undoubtedly some emotional moments involving Conklin's interaction with his family before shipping out, but the footage shot in Iraq doesn't add much to the wealth of material we've seen from the war zone. Moreover, the tone is marred by an over-the-top musical score that alternately sounds like a slasher movie or accompaniment for a belly dancer.

"Return to Duty" will be laudable in one respect if it inspires Conklin's contemporaries at home to contemplate the sacrifices being endured by their peers in the military. Beyond that, though, it's a very once-over-lightly look at one young man -- bringing home a dose of war-time reality only because his story had the temerity to come into contact with an MTV version of "reality."

And you wonder why so many kids are illiterate? Check out the following Labor Day marathon from MTV -- a "16 and Pregnant" marathon!

Um, no, kids, "Labor Day" is actually not supposed to honor that kind of labor.

On the plus side, the "Teen Mom" spinoff mentioned in the release below is genuinely a good idea, since the series' emphasis on the pregnancy -- without showing its longterm consequences -- feels conspicuously shallow. The toughest part, after all, is once the baby arrives.

Still, as testimonials to organized labor go, "Promiscuous Teenagers of the World Unite" doesn't have much of a ring to it....

MTV BRINGS VIEWERS A “16 AND PREGNANT” LABOR DAY MARATHON BEGINNING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 AT 12:30PM ET/PT

Encore Presentation Of “Life After Labor” Hosted By Dr. Drew Pinsky

Kicks Off Marathon at 11:00am ET/PT

Network Greenlights “16 and Pregnant” Spinoff Series “Teen Mom”

New York, NY (September 2, 2009) – This weekend MTV is set to air a special Labor Day marathon of “16 and Pregnant,” the hit documentary series that gives viewers an inside look at the lives of pregnant teenagers as they face the challenges that come with becoming a young parent. MTV also announced today the greenlight of “Teen Mom,” a spin-off series where viewers can catch up with four girls from “16 & Pregnant” season one who are facing the challenges of their first year of motherhood.  The marathon will kick-off with an encore presentation of “Life After Labor” hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky at 11:00am ET/PT, followed by all six episodes of “16 and Pregnant” beginning at 12:30pm ET/PT. The “16 and Pregnant” Labor Day marathon is hosted by some of the moms featured in “Teen Mom.” 

Each episode of “Teen Mom” will interweave stories of four teenage girls who are navigating the bumpy terrain of adolescence, growing pains, and coming of age – all while facing the new responsibility of being a mother. Each story offers a unique look into the wide variety of challenges young mothers can face: marriage, relationships, family support, or lack thereof, adoption, finances, rumors among the community, graduating high school, starting college, getting (or losing) a job and the daunting and exciting step of moving out of the nest to create their own families.

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But wait, that's not the dumbest, most tone-deaf press release of the day. No, that distinction belongs to Bravo, which is offering up another season of ... "MILLION DOLLAR LISTING!" -- as in, "If your house used to be worth $2.5 million, it's now a...."

And seriously, whoever thought it was a good idea to lead off with "Foreclosures? Nationwide recession?" deserves 10 minutes in the publicity penalty box:

NEW YORK, NY – September 2, 2009 – Foreclosures? Nationwide recession? These guys can handle it! Bravo gives viewers an up-close and personal look at the top agents in Los Angeles's tough real estate market, who stop at nothing to close the deal on the third season of "Million Dollar Listing." The docu-series takes viewers inside the high-stakes, cutthroat world of real estate, where Josh Flagg, Madison Hildebrand and Chad Rogers struggle to ink their million dollar deals during this economic downturn. "Million Dollar Listing" premieres on Bravo on Monday, October 12 at 11 p.m. ET/PT.