The word Superman is easy to understand. It is a man with powers beyond those of normal guys.

Super Tuesday also is a no-brainer. That's the election day with far more primaries than those of normal primary days.

But what in the name of Cheryl Tiegs is a supermodel? Is it the ability to leap over twig-thin models in a single bound to land the big jobs? Can a supermodel bend the steel reserve of a photographer with her well-manicured hands?

The guys at Bravo better know what a supermodel is. Tonight, the cable channel will air the new competition series "Make Me a Supermodel," hosted by supermodels Niki Taylor and Tyson Beckford.

As a viewer, you'd better know what makes a supermodel. The 14 hopefuls will depend on viewer votes as to whether they stay or are banished.

Maybe a quick examination of host Taylor's life might provide a clue to what makes some supermodels and others just models.

Taylor was born in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and leaped into the modeling business when she was 14.

What followed was a steady battle with the forces of ugly. Taylor showed the world through more than 400 magazine covers that she represented the truth about picking the right eye shadow, the justice of opening her own clothing boutique, and the American way of being a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.

"A supermodel is someone who has campaigns, contracts with somebody where they are doing shows every season," Taylor says. "It is not someone who gets one editorial or one catalog job."

If Taylor is the standard for supermodels, then Beckford is living a supermodel lie. Sure he appeared in the Fall 1994 Polo Sport campaign. And there was that exclusive multi-year contract with Ralph Lauren.

Beckford's definition of a supermodel is someone who is a household name. Using that logic, then Christie Brinkley, Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell are supermodels because they are as well known as Batman, Iron Man and Wonder Woman in the superhero world.