THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Network: The CW

Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 16 at 9:00 p.m. E.T.

Cast: Mischa Barton, Sara Paxton, Corbin Bleu, Nico Tortorella, Ben Hollingsworth, Ashley Madekwe and Jordan Woolley.

Synopsis (from The CW):

The life of a high-fashion model appears glamorous and sexy, but as every new model quickly learns, behind the beautiful façade is a world of insecurity and cut-throat competition. Two teenage models who are about to discover this world for themselves are Raina Mayer (Sara Paxton, "Last House on the Left"), a stunning beauty with a secret past, and Chris Andrews (Benjamin Hollingsworth, "The Line"), a strikingly handsome Iowa farm boy.

When Raina makes an unforgettable impression at a show introducing the new line from designer Zac Posen (appearing in a cameo role), she steals the spotlight from her friend Sonja Stone (Mischa Barton, "The O.C."). Sonja has been out of the country for mysterious reasons and is now desperate to reclaim her standing as the reigning supermodel. While Raina and Sonja live at the top of the fashion food chain, Chris is starting at the bottom, having just been discovered by an agent at the Covet Modeling Agency, which is owned by former supermodel Claudia Foster (Elle Macpherson, "Friends").

At his first photo shoot, Chris' inexperience almost derails his career until Raina comes to his rescue, showing him how to relax and work the camera. That afternoon, Raina brings Chris to the "models' residence" where she lives along with other young hopefuls, including Marissa Delfina (Ashley Madekwe, "Secret Diary of a Call Girl"), Isaac Taylor (Corbin Bleu, "High School Musical 2") and the current alpha-male-model known as Cole Shepherd (Nico Tortorella, "Twelve").

At an exclusive industry party that night, Chris is again impressed by Raina's generosity when she steps aside to make sure Sonja lands a job that will resurrect her career. However, after an ugly scene with an agent, Chris is left to question whether he can survive in this world of dangerous excess and fleeting fame.

THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE: TBL is from Katalyst Films in association with CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television with executive producers Ashton Kutcher & Jason Goldberg ("True Beauty," "Punk'd"), Karey Burke ("True Beauty") and Mike Kelley ("Swingtown," "Jericho").

What We Say: I've seen the pilot and there's something delicious about this show that's missing from the rebotted 90210 and Melrose Place.  The clothes are over the top and gorgeous and I'm much more interested in seeing what happens backstage at a fashion show than yet another show about the angst of spoiled, rich teenagers.

I find it ironic that Mischa Barton seems to be playing a character that's a little too close to reality.  She's a pill-popping model who's a bit washed up (as opposed to a boozing actress who's a bit washed up).  Her whiny stint as Marissa on The O.C. is nothing compared to the claws she shows in the premiere episode as she attempts to wrestle the spotlight away from newcomer Raina (played by Sara Paxton).  The cast is staffed with beautiful people who love to strut, lie, cheat, steal and stab each other in the back in an attempt to make it to the top.

If you're a fan of Gossip Girl, and I definitely am, I think you'll find more satisfaction from watching The Beautiful Life than any of the other new CW shows that are premiering this season.  You should definitely check it out.