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Television

Celebrity reality TV

The show: VH1’s “The Surreal Life” (which aired originally on The WB), where celebrities pretend they’re on “The Real World.” The cast: (on the first VH1 season) Charo, Dave Coulier, Flavor Flav, Jordan Knight, Brigitte Nielsen and Ryan Starr. The prize: Screen time in prime time. Sample challenge: Trying to understand the words coming out of Charo’s mouth. Did it work? I’d say so. The show gave VH1 its "Celebreality" banner and launched Flavor Flav as a bona-fide TV star. Thanks a lot, VH1!

The show: VH1’s “The Surreal Life” (which aired originally on The WB), where celebrities pretend they’re on “The Real World.”

The cast: (on the first VH1 season) Charo, Dave Coulier, Flavor Flav, Jordan Knight, Brigitte Nielsen and Ryan Starr.

The prize: Screen time in prime time.

Sample challenge: Trying to understand the words coming out of Charo’s mouth.

Did it work? I’d say so. The show gave VH1 its “Celebreality” banner and launched Flavor Flav as a bona-fide TV star. Thanks a lot, VH1!  (Ethan Miller / Getty Images / VH1)

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'VH1’s Celebrity Rehab'

The show: VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab,” where celebrities attempt to get clean with the help of Dr. Drew Pinsky.

The stars: Daniel Baldwin, Mary Carey, Chyna, Jaimee Foxworth, Brigitte Nielsen, Ricco Rodriguez, Jessica Sierra, Seth Binzer.

The prize: Sobriety!

Sample challenge: Staying focused while Daniel Baldwin repeatedly attempted to catch the attention of Mary Carey.

Did it work? Yup. The show has been renewed for a third season, and has reportedly inspired a spin-off, “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew.”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

'I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!'

The show: “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” where celebrities played “Survivor: Lite.” The show started on ABC back in 2003.

The cast: Cris Judd (pictured), Melissa Rivers, “Stuttering” John Melendez, Tyson Beckford, Maria Conchita Alonso, Downtown Julie Brown, Bruce Jenner, Robin Leach, Nikki Schieler Ziering, Alana Stewart.

The prize: The title of King (or Queen) of the Jungle.

Sample challenge: In one trial, Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner had to try to catch stars while being showered in the jungle by oil, worms, crickets, beetles, cockroaches and turkey feathers.

Did it work? Nope. Well, maybe? The show lasted only one season on ABC, but NBC has revived it this summer.  (Carlo Allegri / Getty Images)

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