"SI" Swimsuits Get Real
Let the ogling begin.
NBC has given the go-ahead for six episodes of The Sports Illustrated Fresh Faces Competition, a reality series in which a bevy of babes compete for a shot at becoming a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.
The show begins with a nationwide search in which a group of Heidi Klum wannabes are selected to live in Los Angeles and attend a "model training camp." There, they strike plenty of poses and learn what it takes to be a world-class SI cover girl.
While the show sounds a lot like UPN's highly rated America's Top Model, hosted by supermodel (and SI swimsuit alum) Tyra Banks, there is one crucial difference: Viewers at home will be able to vote for their favorite eye candy, à la American Idol.
The two finalists will be flown to an exotic locale for a photo shoot. The winner will snag a million-dollar modeling contract and a spread in SI's upcoming swimsuit issue.
Filming commences in September and October, and Fresh Faces is expected to air on the Peacock early next year, with the grand finale taking place sometime in February, just in time to hype the new SI swimsuit issue.
Aspiring beach bunnies can learn more about the Fresh Faces search at SportsIllustrated.cnn.com.
Meanwhile, the testosterone-fueled Spike TV is planning its own babe-centric reality series set in Las Vegas.
The Club chronicles Sin City's nightlife through a behind-the-scenes look at a dancing establishment trying to compete with all the corporate casinos.
The 10-episode series takes place at ICE, a steamy nightclub one block away from the Strip. The storyline focuses on the owner, Ed Williams, as he attempts to revitalize ICE on the eve of its first anniversary by bringing in celebrated deejay Paul Oakenfold and Hollywood party maven Allison Melnick. The show will also track the stories of staffers and clubgoers.
Producers (who happen to be the brain trust behind NBC's The Restaurant and Bravo's Blowout) have lined up several corporate sponsors, including Heineken and Allied Domecq Spirits, who agreed to supply beer and alcohol and organize concerts.
And not to be outdone on the reality front, on Tuesday, The Player debuts on UPN, the umpteenth twist on ABC's The Bachelor. This time out, a Miami model named Dawn must select a future mate from 13 ethnically diverse hunks vying for her affections.
Fire up the hot tub.
And for those at home lamenting the end of season five of HBO's fictional drama The Sopranos, A&E hopes you won't fuhgeddaboud tuning in Tuesday to Growing Up Gotti, a reality series centering on the daughter of notorious mobster John Gotti, boss of the Gambino crime family who died in prison two years ago.





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