Ahh, the new year! Time for new hopes, new resolutions and a whole new season of reality TV.
I’ve already sampled VH-1’s “Confessions of a Teen Idol“–wherein former hearthrobs such as “Baywatch’s” David Chokachi and “The Blue Lagoon’s” Christopher Atkins recapture the fame of their youths and am very anxious for the January 15 premiere of Sober House, a sequel of sorts to “Celebrity Rehab.”
But, there’s something new in reality-world this season “True Beauty,” ABC’s attempt to prove it’s what’s on the inside that counts, even if the package is gorgeous.

Producer Tyra Banks aims to turn “Top Model” on its ear by having ten smoking hot men and women, who assume they are being judged solely on their looks, undergo a series of challenges to determine who is truly the most beautiful…on the inside. You see, the scenarios and situations they will be part of don’t require “smiling with the eyes” but ethical discernment.
At the end of eight episode series, the winner will receive a cash prize and a spot in People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People issue. [Insert collective “Awwww!” here.]
What’s so new about the format is that while other reality shows have had the morality angle (“All American Girl”), and the it’s-what’s-on-the-inside-that-counts angle (“Mr. Personality“), and the you’ve-been-punk’d angle (“Punk’d), this competition offers up all three, but with the added bonus of attractive people potentially being really bitchy to each other (“America’s Next Top Model”).
This show could be a real beauty, a real beast or a bit of both.
“True Beauty” premieres tonight on ABC at 10:00 p.m.