CLARK: Age before beauty in this show

Although I've never seen it, I'm kind of in love with the TV Land series "She's Got the Look."

Granted, it's a reality/competition show based on the oh-so superficial world of modeling, which means it easily could fit under the flash-over-substance category.

But what sets this "Look" apart is one simple caveat for the competitors: they have to be age 35 or over. In fact, according to a Fresno Bee story, the ages range this third season — which began Wednesday — all the way to 54.

Really, given that rule, how bad could it be?

Admittedly, I always root for the oldest person on whatever competition/reality show is being viewed, just as a matter of course, unless that person is totally obnoxious or totally subpar in their abilities.

Right now, I'm rooting for poor Peach (seriously, that's her name, Peach) on "Project Runway" solely based on the fact that she's 50 and the rest of the contestants are in their 20s and 30s.

I say poor Peach because she has zero hope of winning. Not because of her age and not because she isn't talented at what she does. It's because what she does isn't flashy or edgy enough for the judges. Which is to say that 99 percent of the rest of the world would find her clothes absolutely gorgeous and wearable.

But it's the clothes that bust out of the envelope that get the attention on "Project Runway," not the clothes you and I would buy and go out in public wearing.

So Peach is ripe for elimination (sorry, couldn't resist).

I also was rooting for Lynne on "Top Chef" this season, although it's surprising she lasted as long as she did — she got the boot in episode four. Surprising because she's not only 51, but also a culinary instructor — a double kiss of death.

Apparently, in the foody world, culinary instruction is where chefs go to die.

Given my innate desire to root for the older dog, "She's Got the Look" should be right up my viewing alley. Heck, I can cheer on the youngest person on that show and still be in a comfort zone.

Yet, somehow, this show has been falling under my TV-addict radar. Honestly, I didn't realize TV Land had any original series. I was under the misguided impression that it was only a place to see repeats of classic shows from years past, like "Gunsmoke," "Bewitched" and "The Beverly Hillbillies."

Yes, those shows still are on the lineup, but it turns out that TV Land is digging its way into the original series cable bounty.

The other show that has gotten buzz for the channel is "Hot in Cleveland," which stars Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves and Betty White in what sounds like a "Sex and the City" for women of a certain age.

Clearly, there's a trend of a certain age going on here. And, yes, I'm kind of in love with that, too.

I turned 49 a month ago — the first in what I expect to be a long and successful series of 49th birthdays. That makes me the same age as Leeves — you know her as Miles' love-crush from "Frasier" — one year younger than Bertinelli — "One Day At A Time's" youngest daughter — and 11 years younger than Malick — the snooty Nina Van Horn from "Just Shoot Me."

And, of course, much younger than Betty White, America's latest sweetheart at the magnificent age of 88.

Why have I not watched "Hot in Cleveland?" Again, because I've been TV Land-illiterate.

This all will be rectified immediately. I'll be tuning in to see if "She's Got the Look" is my cup of tea.

Like most things based in the fashion world, "Look" appears to be steeped in over-the-top drama-queen characters by way of its judges. But one would like to think the contestants will be a bit more grounded, because many of them, according to that Fresno Bee story, "are women who have put their dreams on hold for a long time to raise children, support a husband or deal with a sick parent."

Which is to say, they've likely left most of their youthful idealism and recklessness behind. This could make for less irritating viewing right off the bat — even though every one of them will be a knockout in the looks department.

Oh, wait. I kind of hate that part.

Nevertheless, new host Brooke Burke describes the show as "a celebration of timeless beauty."

"Beauty is not about holding on to your 20s," she told the Fresno Bee. "I'm trying to tell the ladies to forget that 20-year-old swimsuit body. Don't even go there," she says. "This isn't about turning back time. It's about knowing who you are, finding things you like about yourself and being comfortable in your skin at any age. I think the show's inspirational to all ages."

Know what? I'm kind of in love with that, too.

Reach Scene editor Pat Clark at pclark@modbee.com.