The Surreal Life is a reality television series that takes a handful of out-of-the-spotlight celebrities and showcases them in an environment that is like The Real World or Big Brother. Its first two seasons aired in the US on The WB, and it moved to VH1 for its third season.

The first season (2003, six episodes) starred MC Hammer, Corey Feldman, Gabrielle Carteris, Emmanuel Lewis, Jerri Manthey, Vince Neil, and Brande Roderick. Mindy Cohn was supposed to be a celebrity showcased in the first season, but she dropped out of the project without warning. They visited their neighbors and even had a Hollywood wedding of Corey Feldman. They played softball against each other (boys vs. girls) and went to Las Vegas.

The second season (2004, six episodes) starred Vanilla Ice, Ron Jeremy, Erik Estrada, Trishelle Cannatella, Tammy Faye Messner, and Traci Bingham. Danny Bonaduce was supposed to be a celebrity showcased in the second season, but he dropped out before filming began. They all lived in a Hollywood mansion for a two-week period and were subjected to a nudist colony. Some of the more memorable episodes involve Ron Jeremy's pool party and Tammy Faye's book appearance.

The show's third season (2004, ten episodes) starred Charo, Dave Coulier, Flava Flav, Jordan Knight, Brigitte Nielsen, and Ryan Starr. During the shooting, Brigitte and Flava became a couple, and currently star in their own spin-off reality show Strange Love.

The fourth season (premiered January 9, 2005) stars Da Brat, Chyna, Jane Wiedlin, Christopher Knight, Verne Troyer, Marcus Schenkenberg, and Adrianne Curry.

Season five will premiere on September 4, 2005. It will star Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, Janice Dickinson, José Canseco, Carey Hart, Sandi Denton, Bronson Pinchot, and Caprice.

External links

• VH1: The Surreal Life
• RealityTVWorld.com