I had high hopes for "Make Me a Supermodel," the new Bravo modeling competition that debuted last night. Bravo typically does competitive reality shows right, with the notable exception of "Top Design," which was beyond awful. And I'm a sucker for a modeling show-I even liked VH-1's short-lived "The Agency." But after sitting through an hour-long debut that felt more like two hours, I'm not sure this one's going to take.

"Supermodel" will inevitably be compared to "America's Next Top Model," so let's just get that out of the way. The new show has two notable differences from its predecessor: 1) It features a mix of guys and girls (six of each; "ANTM" is solely a women's competition) and 2) it also includes a live voting component, as America ultimately decides which model goes home each week. Beyond that the shows concern the same kinds of tasks, as the would-be posers take photo shoots, walk the runway, and get poked and prodded by people from "the industry."

However, "Supermodel" is missing a key ingredient in "Top Model"'s success: camp value. The girls on the average season of "Top Model" can expect to pose nude covered in candy, or pretend to be desert animals while sitting on a crocodile, or become flowers, or work as high-fashion gargoyles (really!). And while over-the-top judge/host Tyra Banks regards the proceedings as a life-changing experience, there's always a little wink-wink/nudge-nudge going on in just about every episode. There's an underlying silliness to the proceedings, an acknowledgement that the whole thing is kind of superficial and stupid.

Based on its first episode, "Supermodel" takes itself entirely too seriously. There was no sense of fun in the premiere episode (no, Perry's pathetic Zoolander jokes don't count), and that's after the contestants spent a good third of it in underwear or less. While the best Bravo shows mix that seriousness with an intelligence and a sense of giddy adventure ("Project Runway," "Top Chef"), there's none of the latter, and very little cleverness (although, to be fair, they're models). Co-host Niki Taylor is next to useless-where did she disappear to for more than half the episode?-although Tyson Beckford kind of rules. The rest of the panel is dullsville. I can't even be bothered to remember their names. Where is our Janice Dickinson?

As for the models themselves, they're all blandly pretty. On the girls' side, catwalk queen Jacki stood out, as did pixie-ish Holly, who got nailed for her bad haircut (Holly's other problem: she clearly has no idea how to be sexy; expect that to be her undoing). Stephanie got high praise for her Times Square photo shoot, but I'm not feeling her facial features at all-too long and vaguely horsey. Shannon looks great in make-up but as a clean palette is almost homely. Aryn is gorgeous but forgettable. Katy is sexy but too thick, and will likely go home first. Sarah has no business being in the competition. Pretty girl, not a model. Very common features.

I feel like there are four guys in the competition, since some of them look almost identical. If Perry doesn't take the whole thing home I'll be shocked. He's got the looks, the swagger, the personality. He's a ringer. The only other competition in my mind is Ronnie, who is scorching, and will only get hotter once he stops shaving his chest, as he was instructed to do (thank you! I knew the fashion pendulum would swing back to sanity on that one sooner or later). Farrah-haired Frankie is a douchebag, but he's got the face and body to pull it off. His doppelganger Casey is totally indistinct, and Perry clone Ben is a bit hayseed and clearly has no idea what he's doing. Dominic thinks he's edgy but comes across as a prick. And lastly the one black male on the show (and seriously, out of 12 contestants we have only TWO that aren't white?), Jay, is absolutely not a model. Great body, jacked-up sunken face. NO. WAY.

The episode dragged, especially during the middle when the models took over their posh pad. But in truth a lot happened. A photo shoot in freezing Times Square; a bizarre sequence in which they had to burn their clothing (...huh?), a brutal body critique, a runway lesson, a swimsuit fashion show, judging, and even a visit to the hospital for Perry's broken foot. It left me wondering what the hell they're going to do in subsequent weeks, since that would fill about five episodes of "Top Model" alone.

That gives me hope that perhaps this show will get more in depth into what it actually takes to be a model, which would be interesting to watch. I mean, I love Tyra, but her advice is typically limited to "You were doing this, when you should have been THIS"; "Smile with your eyes"; "Tooch the booty"; and "You're really pretty when I make you cry." I'm sure there's more to it than that, and hopefully "Supermodel" will get into that, while simultaneously lightening up.

I guess we'll find out next week which model in the Bottom 3-Dominic, Katy, or Sarah-was voted off. I honestly don't understand how this whole voting thing works. They're shooting this show now, right? They must be. Do they really have time to shoot all of this and edit it by Thursday night every week? That's kind of nuts, but it has to be the case. That kind of cycle could lead to some pretty spectacular meltdowns. Maybe there's hope for this show after all...