TLC's new "Coach Charming" reality series is winning over doubters all over the country. Starring tart-tongued small town Alabama attorney cum top pageant coach Bill Alverson, the show delivers more than what one might expect — pretty girls being whipped into runway shape by a Southern-style Simon Cowell. Alverson brings insight, compassion, caring, and — gasp — empowerment to his young clients. His rollicking family interaction cues us into the heart of this character who has been responsible for transforming hopefuls into the country's top title holders.

The show was not his idea.

"It all came to me — zero solicitation," says Alverson. "In July 2014, The New York Times ran a story about me with a video link, which I thought was cool and great." Then Alverson was featured on a "Nightline" segment about pageant preparation. Then he was approached by more than 40 production entities about doing a reality show.

His background as a litigator and experience in cross examination were advantageous in selecting the right group, according to Alverson. "It's so easy to get into the mindset, 'Everyone's excited! Let's be on TV!' But because of the amount of interest I was able to be more selective. I asked a lot of questions. 'Who do you think I am?' It was a litmus test.'"

Those who grasped that gender equality is important to him "made the short list. I'm the dad of daughters," reminds Alverson, who is close not only to his two female offspring, but his son's wife — feisty repartee notwithstanding.

Not surprisingly, he disparages what he considers the "Annie Hall" era feminism that shunned girly clothes. "Women can be strong without having to dress like men. Women ARE different," he says.

Pageant contestants often go awry, according to him, in that "they don't know themselves. They're trying to be who they think they should be rather than who they are." The same is true for women and men outside the pageant realm, like the high school football coach Alverson advised prior to a job interview. "He needed to sell them on HIS skill set, not someone else's.

Another common area of weakness for the contestants: "They need practice on their verbal skills." For communication-challenged clients, Alverson prescribes starting up chats with fast-food employees and mall clerks — people who could use the lift a friendly greeting or interested conversation could provide. "I take them to the mall and make them go into a store and not come out until they have talked to a clerk, asked his name and found out how his day has gone and what's going on in his life."

Of course, one might point out, gender equality doesn't extend to men being in beauty pageants.

"Life is a pageant," responds Alverson. "Every guy is in a pageant. When he tries to get a job or impress a date, when he pulls out his wallet or goes out on the field. When I was a kid, we moved around a lot as my dad got promotions. I was always the new kid in school in October. How I came across in those first few minutes would determine the quality of my school life for the next few months. Is that like a pageant? Bingo!"

Then there's the current political pageant. "Oh, I want to be hired by some of these candidates," he moans. "They're making such big mistakes. Pride comes before a fall."

Which one, for example? "Jeb Bush. You're the front-runner, but then you come off meek and mealy-mouthed and let everyone else do the talking," blasts Alverson. He adds, "Rubio was a disaster at first, but he corrected it. Trump totally knows himself."

Maybe Alverson has another vocation calling.