VH1’s Confessions of a Teen Idol premiered last night, one of many shows to be unveiled in the next two weeks. What sets this reality apart from the pack? Is it Executive Producer Scott Baio, who faded from 80s glory to find a new life in reality TV? Is it the addition of no-nonsense Jason Hervey, who seems to be part man-of-all-work, part peacemaker?

No, it’s the hunk-filled cast. They may be has-beens, but some of these former teen idols are still looking pretty fine. In the series opener, Baywatch babe Jeremy Jackson was the first to arrive at the palatial home that is to be shared by the seven participants. He was greeted by pictures of each cast member in his heyday, a visual reminder of fame days now gone by.

Do any of these former stars still have what it takes to make it big in the biz? David Chokachi, also a former Baywatch cutie, had an early meltdown after his first meeting with the Baio/Hervey team (who apparently will mentor these seven and help them find the road back to fame). In anger and frustration, Chokachi packed his bags and started to walk right off the lot. Former MTV golden boy Eric Nies, who has evidently adopted a whole lot of New Age ideas to help him get through life, helped convince the TV lifeguard to get back to the set.

And make no mistake, it’s a set. All of these men want to recapture fame, and all are quite comfortable on camera. There were, however, a few genuine moments among the cast during the first therapy session and later on when emotions ran high after a practical joke/wake-up call instigated by Baio.

The premiere was little more than an introduction to the cast, their goals and the show itself. And I’m already hooked. There’s something savagely enjoyable about watching underdogs claw their way back to the top - I mean, doesn’t everyone love a Cinderella story? Elemental attraction doesn’t hurt, either - did you see the build on some of those older gents?

Confessions doesn’t sound like it could be great reality - like, who wants to watch a bunch up washed-up celebs? But when the cast in question looks this good, lets their true desire to succeed show and promises to be filled with eruptive personalities…well, you just gotta watch.