Pussycat Dolls Search Begins Tonight

The CW network's The Pussycat Dolls Presents: The Search for the Next Doll has begun. The premise of the show: 18 young women vie for the chance to join the Pussycat Dolls. The opening episode features the contestants converging on L.A., adjusting to their living arrangements, "bonding," and showing off their moves. The contestant pool will be slashed to nine tonight, followed by the elimination of a single contestant each week afterwards.

The band's creator, Robin Antin, is present on the show as a judge, along with Lil' Kim and Geffen Records chairman, Ron Fair. The real Dolls are also making an appearance on the first episode, when the hopefuls get to meet the band backstage at a Dolls concert. Their reasons for trying out vary from "female empowerment" to just thinking that the Dolls are a "fly" band.

The show is to follow the usual reality-TV-formula: cattiness and emotional drama abound, accompanied by the down-on-her-luck sob stories. Also in the first episode, the girls all contract some sort of flu-like virus, which the cameras exploit to full advantage. They are also made to audition while sick, but as Robin Antin explains, "Being sick is not an excuse. When the Pussycat Dolls are sick, they get onstage and play."

The show premieres tonight at 9:00 on the CW.