The WB's summer entry into the reality-elimination sweeps is a strangely riveting competition of odd couples, Beauty and the Geek. I was prepared to dislike this show on the premise of it: a beautiful brainless woman teams with a high-IQ clueless guy, and they help each other win intellectual and social challenges. Yeah, sure.
Contestants in WB show Beauty and the GeekBut I was captivated by the mix of male geek-styles, from the Jerry Lewis-spastic Richard to the quietly appealing Eric. Team selection was another surprise; men and women alternated between stepping up, alone, to present themselves to the remaining group of potential partners. Each couple's choice between a room with twin beds or one with a single large bed also was revealing.
"This is not a dating show," insists host Brian McFayden. "This is a social experiment, to see if beautiful women can turn geeks into social superstars—and can a group of geeks help these beautiful women become more than just a pretty face."
Couples vie for a chance to win a $250,000 grand prize, with challenges that include various activities "designed to test intellect, fashion savvy and even dance moves." A spelling bee is planned for the gals, and massage lessons for the guys. The women will even compete to see who can build a working rocket.
The initial competition is set for the morning following the choice of partners. The women will need to display competence in 5th-grade knowledge, with spelling, geography and history questions. The guys will have to dance creditably with their "beauty." And they have only the evening to prepare each other to win. At first, I felt the guys had a far more daunting task—Scarlet, the "beer spokesmodel", isn't sure how much a silver dollar is worth, and Erica, a "life-size Barbie model," isn't quite sure who was President during the Civil War.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
DrPat -- great job, I think this show is getting surprisingly positive reviews. What day/time is it on?
2 - DrPat
Well, it's now down to Jerry-Lewis-spastic Richard (and Mindy), and Nose-bleed-under-stress Richard (and Caitilin).
Last night, Boy-Scout-Master Shawn (and the witchy Scarlet) crapped out on, of all things, the camping challenge. So next week's program goes to the elimination of one couple, and the award of $250,000 to the other.