In new season, it’s the beauties vs. the geeks

By KATE O’HARE

In new season, it’s the beauties vs. the geeks

More than any other season, there are louder people on the show, a co-producer says.

In past seasons on The CW’s “Beauty and the Geek,” smart, socially inept guys were paired up with gorgeous, intellectually challenged girls in a quest for personal transformation and to win prizes, including a $250,000 grand prize.

Last year, in season four, executive producers Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg shook up the premise by introducing one male beauty and one female geek into the cast.

In the new season, premiering tonight at 8 EDT, they go even further. This year, it’s war.

“Now,” says Goldberg, “it’s beauty vs. geek.”

So rather than having the opportunity to work together and learn from each other, the beauties and the geeks are at odds.

“We’re almost through the run right now,” says Goldberg, “but it’s been really interesting to see the evolution of what’s been happening in the house and with these people.”

Also, the volume level of the cast has apparently changed.

“This year,” Goldberg says, “more than any year, we have, I’d say, louder people than ever on this show.”

Asked if this is the reverse of a kinder, gentler “Beauty and the Geek,” Goldberg says, “It didn’t start as [kinder and gentler], I’ll tell you that. I’ll tell you also that when you put these types of beauties and geeks in a house together, it just can’t help itself. They just got there.

“Women are really, as we found on this show, comforting. That’s their nature, to be comforting and help these geeks. Ultimately, the geeks, in a way, really were there to support our beauties and make them more well-rounded.

“But as the show evolved, they fell back into that very thing.”

Goldberg is feeling positive about fan reaction.

“I think they’re going to love it,” he says. “It’s a louder cast. There are fireworks in the cast. I really do like the people here. I love how it’s unfolding. It’s been a lot of fun. There’s a lot of sex appeal, more so than I’ve seen before on the show.

“It’s certainly got heart, and it’s got comedy. Those things are there, but it’s an outrageous cast.”

Since the show began, the question has been raised about doing a complete flip-flop, pairing all male beauties with all female geeks. Based on his experience so far, Goldberg has his concerns about what would happen.

“It was a good look in the last cycle of the show at what would happen,” he says. “To go all the way, it becomes a different show altogether. Look, women are naturally nurturing. Men, good-looking men, that are not so bright, are not. And that’s a big difference in the show.”

But, it could also be an eye-opener for guys in the audience.