Lesnar, dos Santos have another month left on ‘Ultimate Fighter’

Valentine's Day, Schmalentine's Day. Sweetness and light are definitely not in the cards for "The Ultimate Fighter."

Back in action for its 13th season, Spike TV's mixed martial arts competition continues production here "for another month or so," says Spike spokesman David Schwartz.

Some 14 unsigned welterweights are battling for the "Ultimate Fighter" crown on teams coached by Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos.

As frequently occurs in the "Ultimate Fighter" universe, the coaches are at least as big a story as the contenders, Schwartz notes.

"The team takes on the personality of the coach," he says. And with former WWE wrestler Lesnar and Brazilian heavyweight contender dos Santos leading the troops, "it's a great juxtaposition."

'Super' humans: Comic-book heroes have all sorts of extraordinary powers. But they're not necessarily make-believe.

Which explains why the History series "Stan Lee's Superhumans" is in Las Vegas this week, shooting a second-season episode (scheduled to air later this year) that spotlights locals with unique genetic traits, notably one with mega-grip power and another with hurricane-force lung power.

The sequences are expected to shoot at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and along the Strip, respectively, with host Daniel Browning Smith also filming wrap-around sequences on the Strip.

Foreign intrigue: A trio of British and Canadian projects also turn up on the location calendar.

London hip-hoppers N-Dubz are expected to make their first Las Vegas visit this week -- and cameras will capture their reactions for the second season of "Being N-Dubz," which airs on Britain's Channel 4.

Band members "have never been to Vegas and want to experience the vibe there," e-mails Liz Haas of Volt Mediafix , which is coordinating the U.S. shoot. Besides, Tulisa (alias Tula Contostavlos ), one-third of N-Dubz along with cousin Dino "Dappy" Contostavlos and pal Richard "Fazer" Rawson) "wants to swim with dolphins," Haas adds. So The Mirage's dolphin habitat is bound to be on their itinerary.

From Canada, Kenny Hotz (half of the cult comedy duo featured on "Kenny vs. Spenny") brings his new project, "Kenny Hotz's Triumph of the Will," to Neon Nirvana. Filming in Toronto, the U.S. and France, the series features Hotz performing "a Herculean task to change society as we know it," according to Internet reports.

Production also continues on the French Canadian travel show "15 Good Reasons to Go to ..." The Las Vegas episode ranges from the Strip to the Fremont Street Experience, with a helicopter tour and side trips to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, reports the production's Vanessa Boisset.

Quick takes: History's reality hit "Pawn Stars" is taking a break, but its "American Restorations" spinoff continues production this week, along with Animal Planet's "Tanked" and E!'s "Holly's World."

Two other TV shoots, meanwhile, wrapped last week. In VH1's new reality competition "Tons of Cash" -- featuring such locations as the Fremont Street Experience and the Hard Rock Hotel -- 14 financially strapped contestants compete across rugged desert terrain in hopes of capturing the million-dollar prize. And PBS' "Chef Hubert Keller: Secrets of a Chef" has concluded production at Las Vegas' PBS affiliate, KLVX-TV, Channel 10.

"Secrets of a Chef" will return in May, "just for a few days to finish up," reports producer Marjorie Poore. "Happy to report that our 100 percent Las Vegas crew (a first for me) was just outstanding. Great attitude, super professional and multi-talented."

During production, "we tried out some new segments in the shows," she adds, including ones featuring "rising-star chefs and some of the superb chef talent that's not always in the spotlight. Very pleased with the results; Chef Keller and I plan to do more."

Carol Cling's Shooting Stars column appears Mondays. Contact her at (702) 383-0272 or ccling@reviewjournal. com.