Wednesday night gives TV watchers a very clear choice: The essence of cool vs. the ultimate in not.

The WB offers the premiere of a new reality show the network says comes “from the daring mind of Ashton Kutcher,” called, “Beauty and the Geek.”

Meanwhile, Turner Classic Movies presents a new 90-minute documentary on the life of the suave and stylish action movie star Steve McQueen.

The differences in the target demographics of these two programs are about as wide as their subjects, but pairing them up is a good excuse to write about two presentations that are well worth watching for very different reasons.

While we could think of about 100 adjectives beyond “daring” to describe the mind of Ashton Kutcher, “Beauty” is certainly a bold move and a refreshing one in the cycle of reality shows that match couples. It airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday on The WB.

From the outset it is clear this is not a dating show, it’s a social experiment.

The premise matches seven “beauties,” beautiful women who haven’t placed much of an emphasis on academics – “I think my IQ is probably about 500,” one cast member, Lauren, says – with seven socially inept but extremely intelligent “geeks.”

Through different challenges, the men try to pass along their academic prowess while the women help the guys become more socially and fashionably conscious.

Every week, one couple is eliminated and the winning team will walk away with $250,000.

Now, before we start jumping on soapboxes about stereotypes, let’s admit that this show is all about people who represent extremes. These types of people do exist, and this is a genuine show about making people better and more well rounded.

“Beauty and the Geek” doesn’t perpetuate stereotypes about women or geeks any more than “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” perpetuates stereotypes about the ill and downtrodden.

The guys include a medical student, a Mensa member, a computer programmer, a guy who’s never kissed a girl and the vice president of the “Dukes of Hazzard” fan club.

“I hope I can transform Joe by making him realize that pretty girls are just as normal as not-so-pretty girls,” cast member Erika said.

The women include a lingerie model, an NBA dancer, an aspiring fashion expert and a beer advertising model.

“Cheryl is probably someone I would not have met at school,” Eric said. “I probably wouldn’t have seen her in the library.”

The lesson is simple, but it’s genuine fun to watch it play out and see these odd couples rooting each other along.

“I just realize how superficial girls that look like us can treat guys who look like some of them,” Erika said. “And all of these guys are, like, some of the greatest guys I’ve ever met.”

One of the greatest guys to ever grace the big screen is unquestionably Steve McQueen.

The documentary, “Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool,” follows his rise to stardom through interviews of those who knew and worked with him. It airs at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on TCM. Check your listings for channel information on digital cable or satellite.

It’s a rather slow-moving hour and a half, but you’ll learn more about the star who was probably the most popular actor in the world at his peak.

The documentary kicks off three days of McQueen movies.

Wednesday: “Bullitt,” at 6:30 p.m., “The Cincinnati Kid” at 10 p.m.

Thursday: “The Great Escape” at 5 p.m., “Hell is for Heroes” at 8 p.m., “Never So Few” at 9:45 p.m.

Friday: “On Any Sunday” at midnight, “The Blob” at 5 p.m., “The Magnificent Seven” at 8 p.m.

“He’s been gone now 25 years,” McQueen’s son, Chad McQueen, says. “And the legend still lives.”

Don’t vote me off

Talk about the height of uncool: “Survivor” fans were ready to vote me off the island after a slip-up in last week’s Monday column about “Survivor” alums Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich.

I incorrectly wrote that Brkich had won both “Survivor: The Australian Outback” and the “Survivor: All-Stars” shows. Well, the tribe has spoken and reminded me that the aww-shucks Southern mom Tina Wesson won “The Australian Outback.” Brkich was the all-stars champ.

Victor Balta’s column runs Mondays and Thursdays on the A&E page. Call him at 425-339-3455 or e-mail vbalta@ heraldnet.com.