Whitney Houston: This Is My Life

((Wed. (6), 10-11 p.m., ABC-TV))

Filmed on location throughout the United States and Europe by Tall Pony Prods. in association with Nippy Prods. Executive producers, Whitney Houston, John Houston, Cissy Houston; producer-director, Anthony Eaton; co-producer, Lauren Harris.

Whitney Houston is just your average multimillionaire international pop star next door. At least, that's the message of this, her first network special, which makes a childhood confrontation with neighborhood bullies seem like the worst obstacle Houston has ever faced.

In truth, given her beauty, talent and close family, Houston probably hasn't had to climb too many mountains. Since she rocketed out of the box in the mid-' 80s, Houston has wracked up an impressive list of No. 1 hits, Grammys and American Music Awards.

So much unrelenting good news makes for a wonderful career -- and perfectly bland viewing. Unless you love, love, love Whitney, there's absolutely no reason to tune in.

Whitney sleeps a lot, likes to laugh and is engagingly awkward on stage as she rambles through such hits as "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "Saving All My Love for You," to name two of the set highlights. Scenes from her upcoming film debut with Kevin Costner in "The Bodyguard" are also spotlighted.

Just don't expect to be riveted to your seat.

Editors, Mike Polito, Anthony Eaton; camera, William A. Philbin; choreographers, Khandi Alexander, Andrea Lawent Chaules.

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