After seeing success with its "High School Reunion" franchise, TV land will throw viewers in with "The Cougar" beginning tonight. Can a relationship between an older woman and a younger man work? Host Vivica A. Fox talked to our Jim Halterman about her thoughts on the subject, the unexpected drama that came from the guys vying to the attention of the Cougar and whether the concept of age can be reduced to being merely a number.

The format of "The Cougar" is similar in format to popular reality shows like "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." In the case of this eight-episode series, a 40-year old woman named Stacey Anderson is introduced to a group of men and, over a course of competitive challenges as well as group and one-on-one dates, she must gradually eliminate the group until she ultimately picks the one that she'll take as her mate. While Stacey and the men may initially be reduced to eye candy, emotions quickly take hold and, according to Fox, this is the hook that will get audiences to tune in. "People love to see the journey of a relationship," she said in explaining why dating shows are more popular than ever. "We all work so hard and we lead such stressful lives, paying the bills during this recession and it's a great escapism for people to come and see people date and that romance is still alive."

In the first episode, it doesn't take long before Stacey is introduced to the 20 twenty-somethings that will vie for her hand. Though the guys share their excitement over how much of a "fox" Stacey is, what they do not initially know is that the Arizona-based real estate agent is also a divorced mother of four children, who are part of the package when/if they end up with Stacey. How did the guys take that bit of news upon its revelation? Fox revealed, "some were surprised while some were like 'Well, she's 40, what do you think? She hasn't lived?' How many kids does she have became the question and she has kids that are young." In essence, Stacey is not only looking for a man to take up space in her bed but to also be a father to her children and Fox, while not giving away details, did reveal that things get more interesting when the kids and the families of the contestants show up to size up the potential mates.

The first impression is put to the test is the first challenge the guys have with Stacey. While some of the guys are gracious and charming in their first introduction to Stacey, others come on a little stronger. One contestant (Colt) brings along his guitar to sing a song he penned about 'the cougar.' Another offers a beautiful bouquet of flowers to the divorcee while Travis, a just-turned 21, brings along a bottle of champagne and asks Stacey to share his first legal drink. For each of these dapper men, however, there are a few that don't make the best first impression and endanger their chances of staying beyond the first cut of contestants. Fox revealed that some of the guys were more than a little clueless when they failed to make a positive impression with Stacey. One of the guys (Kevin), in fact, tells Stacey an off-colored joke that definitely does not bode well with his chances of moving onto the next level. "What was the most amazing part was then he goes 'I thought we hit it off great!' He basically told her that he wanted to have oral sex with her on the first date!" Fox's advice for making the best impression with a woman? "Just be honest and charming and likeable and friendly. Don't come across as an arrogant, romantic jerk and ask 'So do you want to get it on?' Don't be too forward."

Fox said her biggest surprise was in how emotional the men became during the course of the competition. Asked if those emotions reached higher heights in the course of the series and she didn't hesitate in offering a resounding yes. "Especially when [the guys] put themselves out there, they're afraid of rejection just like the girls are and just like anyone is. They get a little scared like 'Oh my God, I blew it. I can't believe I haven't won a challenge. I'm going to get kicked to the curb.'" Sure enough, at the "kiss-off" ceremony where Stacey reveals who will stay and who will go many of the guys are seen with nothing but fear written across their faces.

Another unexpected surprise that Fox saw during production on "The Cougar" was how some of the guys proved that women are not the only ones who can become catty in a competition. Two of the guys (Colt and Ryan) get in a heated argument on the first night over whether or not age is just a number. Though his ego may have been bruised when he inadvertently insulted Stacey upon meeting her for the first time, Ryan also could be lashing out because Colt did better on his first impression and even earned a kiss from Stacey.

As for the argument about age being merely a number, Fox, who the show also calls a cougar, has her own thoughts on the subject. "I do believe age is more of a state of mind than a number because you can be older and still be immature and be a jerk. And you can be young but be mature and be a gentleman so I think for me age is a state of mind and experience."

One long-running societal notion that Fox felt is nearing extinction is that there's something wrong with older women dating younger men. "I think there used to be a negative connotation along with it because it was like 'what are you doing dating younger guys? How dare you!" Fox cited celebrity couples such as Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher and Susan Sarandan & Tim Robbins as long-standing pairings that have helped strike down the outdated stigma. "I think now that there are more successful relationships with a woman in her 40s that have maybe been married and divorced and still feel sexy."

Being a successful, beautiful single woman living in Los Angeles herself, would Fox ever put herself out there on a reality show to find a mate? "I prefer being the host," the actress, who will return to the new season of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" this summer, said. "You know, that many people would be overwhelming to me. And, I don't mean to sound arrogant, but when I go out I get plenty of options. I meet lots of incredible, amazing people and I just wouldn't want it televised."

"The Cougar" premieres tonight at 10:00/9:00c on TV Land.