MTV preps Paris Hilton reality series

Paris Hilton

The high-profile hotel heiress, who parlayed sex-tape notoriety into A-list celebrity with The Simple Life on Fox, will appear in a 10-episode series tentatively titled Paris Hilton’s My New BFF.

In the new reality show, 20 contestants will live in a house and compete for the chance to learn how to live the celebrity life from Ms. Hilton. Viewers will be able to vote on potential contestants via a Web site ParisBFF.com.

Production is set to begin in May, with the series scheduled to air in the fourth quarter.

MTV’s ratings have been on the rise on the strength of semi-reality shows such as The Hills and competition shows such as Making the Band, A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila and Randy Jackson’s America’s Best Dance Crew.

The network thinks its latest addition will bring more heat to the channel, which once was in danger of becoming passé with young viewers.

Ms. Hilton, whose show moved from Fox to cable’s E! before it was canceled last year, became the subject of almost constant reporting after a series of traffic incidents led to her being jailed in Los Angeles last year. The coverage was so over-the-top that some news organizations declared a moratorium on publishing stories about her.

“It’s undeniable that the world is always talking about Paris Hilton, and the same could be said about MTV,” said Brian Graden, president of entertainment at MTV Networks Music Channels. “Paris is one of the most searched icons on the Web and has been the focus of everyone’s attention from TMZ to Forbes. Now MTV will reveal the life of Paris, turn her fans into friends and see what it takes to get close to one of the world’s most well-known personalities.”

The show comes from Ish Entertainment, the new production company set up by former VH1 executive Michael Hirschorn. Mr. Hirschorn and Stella Stolper will be executive producers along with Ms. Hilton.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080314/FREE/687737301/1084

Paris Hilton: All in a Day’s Work

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is a busy girl! Between shopping for fabulous clothes, a photo shoot, and dinner with her uber-hot boyfriend Benji Madden, you gotta wonder when this girl stops to take a breath.

Last night, the “Simple Life” starlet attended a press conference for her new MTV show “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF” at a private residence. She looked sultry in a black and silver evening gown, with plenty of fake bake tan to go around.

After business came pleasure- a romantic dinner at Mr. Chow with her main man, Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden. And for once Madden dressed it up a bit, adding a sport coat to his usual black t-shirt/black trousers look.

Earlier in the day the “Stars are Blind” singer made her way around Hollywood retailers Fred Segal and Marc Jacobs before heading to Beverly Hills for the real spending spree.

http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/paris-hilton-all-in-a-days-work-203874/

Anyone Interested In Becoming Paris Hilton's Best Friend?

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is making a comeback in the reality TV business with a new show which was just approved by MTV.

It hasn't been long since the rumors sparked, and MTV just announced on Thursday that it has greenlighted a new reality competition series with the working title "Paris Hilton's My New BFF."

Now that Nicole Richie is busy being a mom, the former "Simple Life" star threw out the challenge to 20 men and women who will compete in the MTV reality show to be her new "BFF" (best friend forever). The contestants are set to live in a house where they'll learn how to live like a celebrity from none other than Paris herself. Viewers will be able to vote on potential contestants via a Web site ParisBFF.com beginning today.

Besides her role as their teacher, the 27-year-old socialite will also serve as an executive producer on the series, which is set to begin production in Los Angeles in May with an eye on a fall premiere.

"It's undeniable that the world is always talking about Paris Hilton, and the same could be said about MTV," Brian Graden, president of entertainment for MTV Networks Musical Channels, said Thursday. "Paris is one of the most searched icons on the Web…Now MTV will reveal the life of Paris, turn her fans into friends and see what it takes to get close to one of the world's most well-known personalities."

http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Anyone_Interested_In_Becoming_Paris_Hiltons_Best_Friend_15151.html