Petaling Jaya, 28 November, 2006 - For as long as we can remember, manhood has been receiving reactive attention, much of it negative because men have been labelled for insensitivity, sexism, chauvinistic and macho attitudes.

But, it's the new millennium, with new trends and evolution, and we have been pointed to the new ideal man who is now emerging amidst the redefinition of femininity that has been the talk of the town for the last quarter of the century.

Do women really only care about a man's good looks and his chest expansion or perhaps his ability to understand women better combined with his commitment to personal growth and family overrule his physical traits? Are there actually 'real' men out there who actually possess certain criteria that women are looking for?

8TV's latest in house production, What Women Want, seeks to answer the long standing question with Malaysia's 13 hottest bachelors, all ready and willing to take up the weekly challenges and gruelling tests in order to prove that they do have what it takes to become what women 'really' want.

Recent surveys, interviews and vox pops conducted by the production house revealed that positive first impression, possessing the nature vs. nurture traits, intellectualism, excellent interpersonal skills, durability and strength, sensitivity, romantic are among what women have listed when describing an ideal man in general, not just confined to someone they would want as their husbands or boyfriends.

8TV GM Brand management Group, Miss Airin Zainul offers her thoughts on the series' intriguing format, "With the list of the top traits compiled from the surveys, we came up with the series' concept where we have assembled 13 single guys who each has their own personality and unique quality and let them show to all Malaysian women what they are made of and prove that there are still a few good men left out there."

"As the finalists undergo the weekly assignments which in the process will allow audience to get to know the 'real' them, we hope to change the typecasting attitude and assumptions that men could never change their nature or grow to adapt to the people around them."

"In addition, what sets this reality series apart from other similar themed programs is its two way approach that will appeal to both the female AND male viewers. While the female audience search for the most ideal candidate among the finalists, the male viewers could use the program as a foundation to mirror the positive qualities of an ideal man and learn beneficial new tips along the process."

The 13 pre-selected top contenders, chosen from hundreds of men who attended the series' closed-casting calls will be judged upon their manners, characters and innate abilities to perform when pressured with tasks that will certainly test their masculinity, interpersonal skills, talents and inner sense.

Head & Shoulders® and Gillette Mach3Turbo Champion have come on board in this production to enable these 13 young guys to become What Women Want. In a statement about the tie-up, Mr. Lee Yik Hun, Assistant Country Marketing Manager of Procter & Gamble Malaysia said, "Grooming is important in helping men achieve the confidence they want. Being dandruff free and clean-shaven is integral in the grooming process. Both Head & Shoulders and Gillette Mach3Turbo Champion are leaders in their respective categories, thus enabling men to achieve the confidence they desire, and be What Women Want!"

Gorgeous hannah t will play host in the new series where each themed episode boasts 2 challenges - one for rewards and one for elimination.

When a contestant loses on a challenge or fails to complete the mission assigned, he will automatically be one of the two to face the elimination round.

The winner of the challenge is granted immunity from being sent-off but still has to vote someone else who they think does not represent What Women Want. The person with the most votes will then join the task loser and face the jury's verdict.

A jury of 3 females, comprising of ordinary women from all walks of life will preside on the contestants' fates weekly with the help of 1 additional female celebrity guest judge.

In the end, the 'ideal' guy who survives the weekly tasks and tests, beating the other 12 bachelors will emerge as the sole winner, walking away with lucrative prizes and rewards.

Airs every Thursday night at 10.30pm starting December 14th, What Women Want will open your eyes and minds to how you can decide what you 'really' want in your ideal guy because the process can be less complicated and so much simpler when we, the women, do the selecting.

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