Seeing Matthew McConaughey’s name attached to a romantic comedy is akin to seeing a road construction sign on the highway.

Proceed with extreme caution and take another path if at all possible.

Yet the actor didn’t come this far based solely on how he looks without a shirt.

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” out on DVD Sept. 22, may put another shovel of dirt on Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas story, but it’s still a modest reminder of what McConaughey can do with a complicated part.

If only the film weren’t so Scrooge-like with its own gimmick.

McConaughey plays Connor Mead, a photographer and ladies man of the first order. He’s forced to attend his brother’s wedding where he reunites with Jenny (Jennifer Garner), an old flame who didn’t fall for his charms like most women.

Connor generally flits from one sexual conquest to the next. But he’s stunned when the ghost of his beloved Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas) visits him with some sobering news. He must end his womanizing ways – even though it was Uncle Wayne who taught Connor everything he knows about loving – and leaving – women.

The actor, channeling Hollywood producer Robert Evans, is a hoot who takes the film’s few great lines and runs away with them. It’s further proof of Douglas’ comedic chops … an almost untapped resource.

Naturally, three more ghosts follow Uncle Wayne’s appearance in true Dickens fashion. But can Connor change his stripes and reunite with Jenny?

It’s hard to imagine a film featuring McConaughey, Garner and Douglas could look terrible, but there’s something washed out and bland about the movie’s visual presentation. It’s poorly lit and drab, and while the blase color tone seemed like a setup for the ghostly sequences, the entire film looks unappealing.

And McConaughey keeps his shirt on the entire time. Sorry, ladies.

Good thing Garner is on hand to provide some romantic sparks. She’s tough but tender as Jenny, and you can see why she’s just the right person to rebuff Connor’s advances, and maybe help change his romantic patterns.

McConaughey delivers more than such a piece of fluff demands. He’s burdened with the Scrooge character arc, and while he could use another scene or two to ease the transition, he’s convincing as the rascal who’s about to see the light.

Less appealing is how shabbily the film treats its ghostly gimmick. Plenty of potential is pushed aside en route to the predictable finale.

It’s hard to fall for “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” but it’s also easy to see how it’s far better than McConaughey’r recent rom-com train wrecks.

(Photo: Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner play former lovers in “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”/Warner Bros. Home Video)

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OK, I admit it. I visit Matthew McConaughey’s Web site. A lot.

I’m not a starry eyed girl with a crush, or even a “Brokeback” kind of guy. His site just slays me.

It’s as casual and rumpled as the actor himself, and I can’t get enough of his “facts” section. And if this guy has a Hollywood-sized ego he’s hiding it pretty well.

So while WWTW often teases the actor and his web presence, I thought it’s only fair to throw a plug his way.

McConaughey is slated to appear on Rachael Ray’s 500th episode tomorrow (April 1) along with his favorite reggae outfit, Mishka.

Never heard of Mishka? Me, neither. But when you go to McC’s site the band’s song “Here Comes that Train” plays incessantly. Just try getting it out of your head.

So check out Ray’s show tomorrow. I’ll be busy surfing McC’s site looking for new “facts” on the man himself.

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Matthew McConaughey is the anti-Tom Hanks.

Plop him in a romantic comedy and watch love die a slow, torturous death.

“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” “Fool’s Gold.” “Failure to Launch.” “The Wedding Planner.”

Your honor, the defense rests.

But check out the trailer (scroll down) for his new rom-com, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”

Good cast – Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas – and an even better gimmick. A ladies man gets visited by his past conquests in full “Scrooge” style.

When it comes to the Shirtless One, maybe the fifth time is the charm.

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Who knew Matthew McConaughey was much more than a bare-chested actor for hire?

He’s also a blogger and online entrepreneur. Just check out the actor’s Web site.

It’s pretty much what you expect. Laid-back reggae music playing in the background? Check. Name dropping bros like Lance Armstrong? Yup. A journal with a blog font resembling a carefree beach script? Youbetcha.

The j.k. living part of the site (j.k. stands for ‘just keep’) offers up T-shirts, sweatshirts – even onesies!

You’ll also learn so much about the star of “Fool’s Gold” and “Amistad” via the site’s random MM fact generator. Like:

• His favorite superhero is the Incredible Hulk.
• He was a wrestling champion in four villages during his walkabout through Africa.
• His parents were divorced twice and married three times to each other. (Sounds like it could make a MM rom-com, no?)

(Photo: Matthew McConaughey, the shirtless one, runs a web site where he opines on life and offers his line of T-shirts and hoodies.)

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