The Simple Life
"The Simple Life" is a reality show starring socialites Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie (daughter of Lionel Richie). It began on Fox in 2003 and the series was based in part on the original "Green Acres" comedy about a well off couple who moves from New York City to the country. At the time, Paris was well known for being rich, attractive, and attending all the hot parties, usually with her best friend Nicole in tow. Originally, the shows producers wanted Paris' sister Nicky to co-star, but once she refused, they signed Nicole on.
A week before "The Simple Life" was to premiere, a homemade sex tape featuring Paris and her then boyfriend Rick was leaked on the Internet. Whether that helped the ratings of the show or not is unknown, but the show went on to become a mid-season hit. The first season had the pampered pair roughing it with a farm family in Altus, Arkansas. Seeing Paris and Nicole in a rural setting and trying to adjust to farm life was very amusing to say the least!
The second season was titled "The Simple Life: Road Trip" and had the girls traveling across the U.S. with a pink truck pulling an air stream trailer. They worked to make money as maids and sausage makers. The season premiere took in 9.8 million viewers. The third season saw the girls interning at various jobs including a funeral home. They traveled from job to job in a public Greyhound bus.
There was trouble on the show when BFFs (best friends forever) Paris and Nicole had a falling out and were no longer speaking to each other. Oddly enough, this happened before season four, titled 'Til Death Do Us Part. Before the rift, the original plan was to send the two friends to Mexico, but that was put on hold. There were rumors of Paris' new BFF, Kimberly Steward (daughter of singer Rod Stewart) taking Nicole's place in the series. Even more rumors circulated about Nicole getting her own spin-off reality show and her upcoming (and since cancelled) wedding to DJ Adam Goldstein. Some even thought Paris would do the season alone, but since both had signed contract to do the show, they had to work together (although seeing them interact with each other was scarce during the feuding season). The two stayed in Los Angeles and focused on their personal lives and careers.
By season five, the two had mended their friendship, but more problems surfaced. Nicole, who was once chubby compared to Paris, had suddenly started losing weight to the point that people were saying she had an eating disorder. She denied it, but did enter rehab for "an inability to gain weight". Paris was arrested for driving under the influence in September 2006, but was given a 36-month probationary sentence. Nicole too was arrested for driving under the influence in December 2006. She admitted to having used marijuana and Vicodin. Paris was arrested in March 2007 for speeding, not having her headlights on, and driving with a suspended license. This was a violation of her probation and a judge sentenced her to 45 days in jail on May 4, 2007. However, officials says the prisons are already overcrowded, so it looks as if Paris won't actually do much jail time.
Despite all the turmoil, the fifth season of "The Simple Life" will premiere Memorial Day weekend on May 28th. The new show will feature the girls going to different camps such as wellness, pageant, couples, survival, and drama. E! executives aren't saying much about Paris' legal problems, but are keeping scheduled appearances for both stars. Because the show wrapped up in April, the production of it will not be harmed by any potential jail time Paris may face, although she may not be able to promote the show as scheduled.
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