Ugly Betty News

Michael Urie To Host Miss America Reality Show

by Tom on December 5th, 2007

This is great casting!  Ugly Betty’s Micheal Urie will be hosting a new show: Miss America, Reality Check on TLC, starting January 4, and running for consecutive Fridays, leading up to Miss America Live! finale on January 26.  AND, it’s in HD, if you have TLC HD (Micheal Urie and 52 beautiful women in HD…hmmmmmm).

For the first time in history, MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK brings all 52 beauty queens together to live under one roof to undo everything they have learned about pageant basics and determine if their smarts, attitudes and looks hold up in contemporary society. Led by host Urie, the girls participate in an intense set of events and challenges designed to prepare them for the finale event, a renewed competition that will redefine what it takes to be Miss America, a relatable and individual ‘it girl’ who can connect with today’s modern woman.

This sounds pretty fascinating.  I love tradition and all, but the traditional Miss America ideal is pretty much an early 20th century thing.  Not that I’m dissing the swimsuit competition or anything.  There’s more…

There will be an element of “What Not To Wear” (a show, I’ll admit, I’m not very fond of - I prefer my cattiness on Ugly Betty):

MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK calls on tastemakers to lead the hopefuls through their journey as they learn the latest trends, newest hairstyles and how to represent themselves as role models in today’s modern world. Throughout the episodes, the girls will be critiqued on their progress by an elite advisory board comprised of celebrity stylist Jeanie Mae, Us Weekly editor Dina Sansing, and celebrity photographer Mark Liddell.

Additionally, special guests will share their area of expertise with the contestants including the current Miss America Lauren Nelson, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly from TLC’s hit show “What Not to Wear,” world-renowned make-up artist Napoleon Perdis, celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo, choreographer Fred Tallaksen, and fashion expert Randolph Duke.

But, cattiness aside, there is hope for the show:

“The Miss America of today is more than a pretty face,” says Brant Pinvidic, senior vice president of programming for TLC. “These are remarkable women who have made great contributions to their communities. We want to give America the chance to get to know these women and follow their journey as they strive to obtain the Miss America title on January 26 in Las Vegas.”

Now that seems pretty cool, when you think about it.  I can think of no other existing group of people who are tailor-made to be adapted for a reality show, besides maybe the US congress, for comedic value.

But, the show will be worth watching because Michael Urie is hosting.  If they could have paired whim with Becki Newton, it would have been irresistible.  However, they can’t spend every waking moment together!

Source: Elites TV

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POSTED IN: Appearances, Michael Urie