Ashton to Play TV Matchmaker on New Show

By Stephen M. Silverman

01/23/2005 at 11:00 AM EST

Ashton Kutcher – and costar Topher Grace – may be departing That '70s Show, but Demi Moore’s other half isn’t leaving a starring role on TV.

Kutcher, 26, is to host a matchmaking reality show that the WB network plans to premiere this summer, called Beauty and the Geek.

The show will pair seven brainy nerds with seven dim beauties in couples arranged by Kutcher the matchmaker, reports the Associated Press.

"It's really looking at stereotypes of people and how we look at beautiful women and not-so-beautiful men," says WB entertainment president David Janollari.

To determine who should go with whom, Kutcher will observe players in such tasks as a camping trip, a dance lesson and a deli job – where the fellows will help the women make change.

As for how That '70s Show will fare in its 2005-06 eighth season without Kutcher and Grace (who has a big screen hit out, In Good Company, costarring Dennis Quaid ), FOX Entertainment president Gail Berman tells TV reporters: "We think it still has life in it" with the remaining cast.

She also says that she expects both leading men to return for guest shots on the sitcom, which is one of her network's longest-running series.