Entertainment reality check

NEWS OF 11. Former WPIX/11 reporter Cathy Hobbs, who spent 19 years at the station, is a contestant on season six of "HGTV Design Star," premiering tonight at 9. Joining the show's cast are new host Tanika Ray and season-one winner David Bromstad, as a mentor.

'FASHION'-ISTAS. Celebutante Nicole Richie and menswear designer John Varvatos have joined the previously announced Jessica Simpson as mentors on NBC's upcoming designer competition, "Fashion Star." Elle Macpherson was previously announced as host.

PREMIERES. Food Network's "Tough Cookies" (tonight, 10) follows the Jerseylicious fortunes of Ocean City's Crazy Susan's Cookie Company . . . Wednesday at 9 p.m. on Lifetime, Roseanne Barr becomes a macadamia mogul in "Roseanne's Nuts," followed at 10 by "Dance Moms," with terpsichorean versions of stage moms . . . The Southern-fried bachelorette show "Sweet Home Alabama" bows Thursday at 9 p.m. on CMT, with Long Islander David Weeks among the bachelors . . . Disney's "Prankstars," a hidden-camera series where fans meet Disney Channel stars, premieres Friday at 8:30 p.m. . . . and failing taverns get a lifeline in Spike's new "Bar Rescue," Sunday at 10 p.m.

RECAPS.Ryan "Mickey" McLean left voluntarily and Blake Julian was eliminated from "The Bachelorette" . . . Dick Donato unexpectedly left "Big Brother 13" . . . Ashley Rich and Chris Koehl were booted from "So You Think You Can Dance" . . . Vanessa Guerrero and Peter Paris will no longer find "Love in the Wild" . . . the team Grandpa's Warriors is off "Expedition Impossible" . . . Jennie Kelley is off "MasterChef" and Justin Davis is off "Food Network Star."