‘Road’ Changes Rules for 10th Season

If you’re still watching “The Real World,” there’s a good chance “Road Rules” also holds a special place in your heart. MTV counts on that sort of loyalty, regardless of how tiresome these unscripted shows have become.

Starting its 10th season tonight at 10, “Road” has decided to alter its rules. Yes, six attractive young people must still work toward a common goal, or mission, as it were. This year, however, if more than one mission is failed, a player can be voted out and replaced. Think of it as the “Survivor” factor.

With that hanging over their little heads, the players are dispatched to Morocco and Spain, where they must piece together the “Road Rules” logo, which has been broken into 10 pieces. Each acquired piece puts them one step closer to a big reward, which in the past was revealed in the final episode.

As usual, the cast is youthful and multiethnic: Steve, 23, grew up in “extreme” poverty; Sophia, 23, is a gay African American; Adam is a 21-year-old Lothario; Jisela, the youngest at 19, loves to get physical with guys; Blair, 20, is a Cajun from Louisiana; and Ellen, 22, is Korean and always falls for the wrong guys.

Should any of this sound appealing, have at it. Some of us will be hitting the road ourselves in pursuit of other rewards. “Third Watch” reruns, anyone?

Surf Report

SPORTS

ESPN takes the field for All-Star Game festivities in Seattle.

At 5 p.m., Chris Berman, Joe Morgan and New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza will host live coverage of the Home Run Derby contest from Safeco Field, the site of Tuesday’s 72nd All-Star Game between the best players in the American and National leagues. Tonight’s two-hour telecast is traditionally ESPN’s highest-rated program of the summer.

At 7 p.m., Seattle native Kenny Mayne and former Mariner Harold Reynolds serve as player-coaches for the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game.

Rounding out the evening at 9 p.m. is coverage of “The All-Star Gala,” hosted by Karl Ravech and Peter Gammons of “Baseball Tonight.”

SPECIALS

“Paragraph 175” (8 p.m. HBO) focuses on lesser-known victims of Nazi persecution: thousands of homosexuals sent to die in concentration camps.

“Ultimate Guide” (9 p.m. Discovery Channel) gets up close and personal with spiders, examining their methods of killing prey with deadly venom.

SERIES

Dennis Farina stars as the tenacious Lt. Mike Torello in “Crime Story” (9 p.m. A&E;), the serialized drama (1986-88) set in early 1960s Chicago.