TLC GIVES MISS AMERICA A MAKEOVER IN ORIGINAL REALITY PROGRAM MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK

-- Michael Urie from ABC's "Ugly Betty" to Host Four-part HD Special Premiering January 4, Leading up to the Miss America LIVE! Finale on January 26 --

Los Angeles, CA -- TLC ushers this classic television event into the modern era with the new four-part reality special MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK. Michael Urie (ABC's "Ugly Betty") is tapped to host the programs, premiering January 4 at 10 PM (ET/PT) and airing consecutive Friday nights leading up to the MISS AMERICA LIVE! finale on Saturday, January 26, 8-10 PM (ET live/PT tape-delayed). MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK was shot in high definition and can be viewed on the TLC HD simulcast.

For the first time in history, MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK brings all 52 beauty queens together to live under one roof to undo everything they have learned about pageant basics and determine if their smarts, attitudes and looks hold up in contemporary society. Led by host Urie, the girls participate in an intense set of events and challenges designed to prepare them for the finale event, a renewed competition that will redefine what it takes to be Miss America, a relatable and individual it girl' who can connect with today's modern woman.

MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK calls on tastemakers to lead the hopefuls through their journey as they learn the latest trends, newest hairstyles and how to represent themselves as role models in today's modern world. Throughout the episodes, the girls will be critiqued on their progress by an elite advisory board comprised of celebrity stylist Jeanie Mae, Us Weekly editor Dina Sansing, and celebrity photographer Mark Liddell.

Additionally, special guests will share their area of expertise with the contestants including the current Miss America Lauren Nelson, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly from TLC's hit show "What Not to Wear," world-renowned make-up artist Napoleon Perdis, celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo, choreographer Fred Tallaksen, and fashion expert Randolph Duke.

"The Miss America of today is more than a pretty face," says Brant Pinvidic, senior vice president of programming for TLC. "These are remarkable women who have made great contributions to their communities. We want to give America the chance to get to know these women and follow their journey as they strive to obtain the Miss America title on January 26 in Las Vegas." MISS AMERICA: REALITY CHECK is produced by PB&J Television for TLC. Executive Producers for PB&J are Patty Ivins and Julie Pizzi. TLC's HD simulcast service is available nationwide on DirecTV and DISH Network and via numerous local cable and telco providers. About TLC

TLC's innovative hit series include perennial fashion favorite What Not to Wear; Little People Big World, now in its third season; Miami Ink and the hit spin-off LA Ink. The channel defined home design with Trading Spaces and continues to reinvent the genre with Property Ladder, Flip That House and Moving Up. TLC's daytime lineup includes the Emmy Award-winning A Baby Story as well as Take Home Chef, featuring one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men, Curtis Stone. The channel is available in more than 93 million homes in the US, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and through the website at www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications which is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman.

About Miss America

The Miss America Pageant - and the scholarship program itself - is among the most enduring endeavors in modern American history. From its humble beginnings as a "bathing beauty'" contest in the 1920s, the Miss America Organization today is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance, helping young women all across the country to reach their dreams and goals. For more information, go to www.missamerica.org.