I just ran into Fox "reality" guru Mike Darnell, whose latest project, "Skating with Celebrities," launches Wednesday after "American Idol," and couldn't resist asking the Northeast Philly native if he'd be taking the ice himself.

Darnell, who's the elfin not-exactly-evil genius behind Fox hits like "Joe Millionaire" and "American Idol" -- and, OK, "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?" -- happens to have the kind of body type that you usually only see in female gymnasts and figure skaters. I'm pretty sure even Scott Hamilton towers over him, though he hit me when I suggested it.

I'd have sworn he'd be a natural.

Not so much, apparently.

"Don't skate, don't ski," he said.

He recently took his 7-year-old daughter to a skating party and had to use one of the "walkers" the rink supplied for rank beginners.

"It was embarrassing," he said.

And though he has no plans to take advantage of the world-class coaching celebs like Todd Bridges and Bruce Jenner are getting on "Skating," Darnell is thinking of sneaking off to take a few lessons before that next skating party.