The Surreal Life 6: A Preview

The Surreal Life is VH-1’s version of the highly successful MTV show, the Real World. The difference is that instead of videogenic 20-somethings living large in some major city, Surreal Life scrapes the bottom of the celebrity barrel to gather a group of the most diverse people you haven’t seen or heard of in years (or ever).

In a nutshell, the cast moves into a studio “house” and interacts with each other, all captured on the ever present cameras. Usually, there is an activity that they participate in each week, for charity, but it’s really the interactions, eh, altercations, which are the most interesting.

And who are this season’s “celebs”? The most recognizable is probably Sherman Hemsley who we all know and remember as George Jefferson. One can only guess that he must be interested in recharging a flagging career and not in the money because I cannot believe a show like The Jeffersons, probably aired at some point all day and night somewhere in the world, wouldn’t have left him at least comfortably well off.

The next roomie will be C.C. Deville, lead guitarist for Poison. He’s not a household name in my household, but I’m sure many will remember him. Let’s hope he lives up to rock n’ roll tradition and is at least interesting.

The other musician in the house will be Steve Harwell, frontman of Smash Mouth. He will be recognizable to many as the voice of the band that sang “I’m a Believer” in the Shrek movie.

Of course, the house would be beyond boring without both sexes represented, which is where Alexis Arquette comes in. Sometimes boy, sometimes girl, always provocative; he should keep things hopping.

There are genetic women in the house as well, however. Tawny Kitaen, video vixen and actress is one of them. Many won’t remember her acting career, but you may remember seeing her in hair band video during the 80’s (Whitesnake). [Assistant Editor’s Note: Let’s not forget beating husband and pro baseball pitcher Chuck Finley with her high-heeled shoe as he was driving them home from dinner.] The other actress is Andrea Lowell, known for her work on Playboy TV and Girls Gone Wild.

Additionally, Florence Henderson will appear on a regular basis as a type of therapist. I know, I know. Other than George Jefferson and Ma Brady, most of you are scratching your heads.

To shake things up this season, VH-1’s website states that the housemates will select their last roommate “from a pool of former reality show hunks.” As if the first 15 minutes wasn’t enough…

The Surreal Life needs an element of the surreal in order to work. Do these “celebrities” have it? Will they be able to top the escapades of Omorosa and Janice? Tune in next Sunday, March 19th, to find out!

TS LeMelle is a displaced East Coast writer living in the South. Email her at tslemellereality@yahoo.com to discuss all things reality.

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