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In the absence of white reality TV's rigid dramatis personae, others, too, find themselves suggesting celebrity templates by which the ''College Hill'' kids might be judged. Delano, a heavy, low-key guy, is described by another cast member as ''almost like a Ruben Studdard, but, like, 'urban.' ''

Jabari, a devotee of Dance Dance Revolution, the Japanese dance arcade game, is called ''our own little Rain Man.'' Which brings up the show's greatest accomplishment: the casting of Jabari. A Rastafarian nerd, Jabari is very odd but self-assured, a brand-new television type. His unpredictable conversation with Delano about his lapses in hygiene is a high point of the second episode:

''Hey, don't worry about the fact that I was sweating while I was playing D.D.R., because that's like exercise,'' Jabari says.

''No, man. It's an everyday smell.''

''Uh, was I stinking Wednesday night?''

''Yeah.''

''Was I stinking Wednesday day?''

''Yeah.''

''Oh, I was? Then, if you want to register any complaints, you register it to Miss Joan, over at Mo Hair, because that's when I got my hair done. So any complaints about my hair, then, you register it to her. I'm sure she's going to appreciate it.''

Finally, Delano rests his case: ''That's what it is. You're a little strong.''

Jabari thinks for a minute, then processes the news. ''One of the traditional clashes of all time. The nerd versus the jock. One of the classic rivalries of high school. I've got to step up the hygiene because I have a stench.''