When TLC got the rights to air Miss America, it wanted to reinvigorate the tired pageant. And it's starting tonight, with a reality show whipping this year's 52 contestants into shape.

Miss America: Reality Check puts the contestants under one roof for four weeks and asks them to complete a series of challenges. The goal: out with the sequins and big hair, in with a new wave of smarter, savvier beauty queens. The pinnacle of the series is the pageant itself, which will air Jan. 26 — and Reality Check viewers will get the chance to vote one of the contestants directly into the finals.

When I first heard TLC was going to do a Miss America reality show, I begged for a What Not to Wear tie-in, and I have to say, TLC has done me one better. Not only will Clinton Kelly and Stacy London appear on the show, but it will be hosted by the only person besides Kelly I'd like to see take on a room full of beauty queens: Michael Urie of Ugly Betty. (I'm assuming Carson Kressley was booked; his own reality show, How to Look Good Naked, premieres tonight on Lifetime). Urie is totally hilarious, and — as half of your favorite platonic duo on TV — great at dealing with drama. I would have been mildly interested in watching anyway, but with Urie involved, it's a must-see.

Will you be tuning in? To check out a preview, just read more.

Photo courtesy of TLC