If my estimates are correct, in three weeks “The Bachelorette” concludes its latest run. What are we going to watch on Monday nights?! Oh don’t worry, ABC knows they have a reality TV dating show void to fill and “Dating In The Dark,” premiering on July 20th at 8 pm, is their latest gimmick. According the ABC.com, “Three single men and three single women move into a house together, and get to know each other and form bonds in total darkness.” The ultimate question—do looks really matter? Um, yes. Which is why they cast realistic, but completely attractive people for this little experiment. In the end, whichever “couples” emerge into the light won’t be disappointed by a schlubby bald guy or a mousy twig with bad teeth at the other end of the hand they’re holding. Still…

In the past few years, Bravo has produced a mixed bag of reality content, gaining credibility with shows like “Project Runway” and “Top Chef” that actually succeeded in mass marketing two cultural categories.  But then came the wave of housewives, Kathy Griffins, and NYC prep school kids, that took the channel to a lowbrow level—albeit it, one that we love. Bravo may now be looking to class things up again, by working with the ultimate in highbrow—the art world. The network is casting for a reality game show for artists, and is tapping major sources like the Art Institute of Chicago and reputable Manhattan galleries for promising students.

I have a confession to make. I’ve never been to South Beach. Gasp! I have been to Miami, if you count the airport. South Beach was on my list of places to visit until I watched a clip of Bravo’s “Miami Social,” which has turned me off from the tourist destination.

Oh, Lauren Conrad, your demented life could have turned out differently if only your high school back in Laguna Beach, CA, had had the presence of mind to ban kids from starring on reality TV.

The New York Times didn’t actually get to the bottom of whether any of the New York City prep schools whose students were filmed on Bravo’s “NYC Prep” might forbid students from going on reality TV. But since Bravo is damned if “NYC Prep” is not going to be a “real life ‘Gossip Girl’,” well, it would be safe to interpret the letter written by the chancellor of Dwight School, an Upper West Side prep school which two students on the show attended, as a big ol’ warning shot.

Last Thursday, Lauren Conrad appeared on “The View” and single-handedly ruined what might be the best reality TV show ever. Just kidding! But she did admit that Spencer Pratt’s apology phone call to her was entirely faked—she wasn’t on the other end of that phone call at all and her reactions were spliced together from a different conversation. It’s probably not news to anyone that “The Hills” is scripted, but basing an entire plot line on something that never happened? That’s a bit more intense. This got us wondering—how do people make riveting “reality” TV moments when reality is being so boringly uncooperative? All the secrets, after the jump.

“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest met with hot mess Lindsay Lohan last Thursday in Hollywood. So, is LiLo turning straight again? Well, we don’t know, but this meeting with Ryan was no hot date. The two are planning to do a reality TV show together. Lindsay tweeted about the project saying it will be, “Something meaningful like Extreme Home Makeover on ABC.” [US Magazine]

This is the house Bunim/Murray Productions will turn into a swanky pad for the next crop of horny cast members on “The Real World: Washington D.C.” MTV will also air a D.C.-version of “The Hills” this summer. But MTV isn’t the only network moving into the capital. Bravo will soon feature political wives, philanthropic leaders, sophisticated fashionistas, and other power players in “The Real Housewives of D.C..” 

Susan Boyle is one reality TV contestant who let fame go to her head. And by that, I mean she had a breakdown as a result of the celebrity that was thrust upon her after appearing on “Britain’s Got Talent.” But she’s not alone. Paula Goodspeed committed suicide outside “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul’s home after being teased about her weak tryout. Then there’s CT from “Real World/Road Rules Challenges: The Duel 2,” who would have killed Adam in a couple fights if producers and cast members hadn’t intervened.

Last night, I got a sneak peek of Bravo’s upcoming show “NYC Prep,” and heard a little about the lives of the rich and young in a Q&A with the cast. Man, is this show going to be juicy.

First came the sordid affairs, then the looming divorce, and now a possible lawsuit? The Pennsylvania Department of Labor is looking into claims that the Jon and Kate Gosselin are violating child labor laws by having their lil’ army of kids work 40 weeks out of the year.

While we don’t exactly know if being themselves in front of camera crews constitutes as “work,” people are pretty up in arms about the situation. After the jump, the onslaught begins.

Jessica Simpson made headlines with her MTV reality show “Newlyweds,” especially after her famous Chicken of the Sea line. The show ended, as did Nick and Jess’ marriage. That’s why I was surprised to hear that Simpson is giving reality TV a second try with a new show, “The Price of Beauty.” This time around, the focus will be on “society’s scrutiny of women’s bodies.” Simpson, who has received a lot of flack in the press for a spike in weight exaggerated by a very unforgiving pair of high-waisted jeans, pitched the idea to several networks, according to Us Weekly. “The idea behind the show is that she and a friend set off on a road trip around the world in search of what people find beautiful and why,” a source from the magazine said.

I was kind of skeptical about whether the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” would be able to bring the drama. After watching last night’s episode, I have no more worries. Sure, Jacqueline Laurita needs to get a backbone, and Teresa Giudice doesn’t seem to do much more than spend money, but Bravo hit the mother lode with Danielle Straub. Compared with the other housewives, including the ones in Orange County, Atlanta, and New York City, she is the ultimate villainess. Don’t let the coy smile fool you. Danielle, as one of the most divisive characters, had it totally right when she said, “You either love me or you love to hate me, there is no in between.” At this point, I don’t love or hate Danielle as a person, but I do love the drama she brings.

“Southern Belles: Louisville” premieres tonight on SOAPNet at 10 p.m. At first, I thought this show would be a knockoff “Real Housewives” because some of the same themes come up—breasts, men, wealth, and ambition. But after watching a clip of Shea, Hadley, and Emily on “The View” today, I realized that “Southern Belles” might be exactly what a single lady needs for a night at home alone. These women are younger than most of the housewives from Orange County, New York City, and Atlanta, and they’re all single. The drama on “The Housewives” often centers around the single women—Gretchen Rossi was a gold digger, Kim Zolciak was a homewrecker, Bethenny Frankel was “pathetically single.” So, what will the Belles talk about? Old money vs. new money is one. Egos will clash. The women say their goal is to debunk the Southern girl stereotype. Learn more about the Belles after the jump.

“Hitched or Ditched” is a one-hour reality show in which couples in long-term relationships are challenged by a friend to set a wedding date in a week’s time. The couples not only have to plan their wedding in seven days, but they also have to address whatever issues were keeping them from making the leap into marriage—from fixing relationships with future in-laws to dealing with feelings of jealousy. When the wedding day comes, the couples will have to choose whether to tie the knot or call everything off. So if they decide to get married, then their prize is a free wedding, but if they decide not to get married, then they breakup and have to deal with the ensuing heartache. That sounds a little unfair. But I guess if they know the marriage won’t work, then they’ll be better off in the long run. Will you watch “Hitched or Ditched” when it premieres May 26?

Most of us have had to work retail at some point. We were desperate for extra cash, we wanted a store discount, or we needed a job. But after dealing with annoying customers and folding and re-folding clothes until your hands hurt, most of us vowed never to be a sales associate again—at least, I did. So, I can’t for the life of me figure out why TV producers think we would want to watch people working at a boutique.

“Laguna Beach” begot “The Hills” which begot “The City” and Brody Jenner’s “Bromance.” What’s left? Audrina Patridge is leaving the cast of “The Hills” to star in her own spin-off series, produced by “Survivor” exec producer Mark Burnett, because apparently there weren’t enough bastard TV shows already. What’ll they call this one? “The Valley?” “The Vapid?” After the jump, we imagine the new show.

Finally, TV producers realize there’s more to love than just appearance. Fox and Mike Fleiss, producer of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” are developing a dating competition show that casts “average-looking” people, including overweight competitors. The series, titled “More to Love,” will provide an alternative to the other dating competition shows that feature size-two women and handsome, buff bachelors. “For six years it’s been skinny-minis and good-looking bachelors, and that’s not what the dating world looks like,” said Mike Darnell, Fox president of alternative entertainment. “Why don’t real women—the women who watch these shows, for the most part—have a chance to find love too?” The popularity of NBC’s “Big Love” has proven that audiences will watch people who represent the makeup of society, but aren’t considered highly attractive. The show will follow the format of “The Bachelor,” but unlike “Beauty and the Geek” and “Average Joe,” the less-than-handsome guy won’t be paired with model-esque women. Producers describe the bachelor as a “Kevin James-type.” “More to Love” is casting, but no air date has been set, yet. Would you tune in every week to watch people who are as good-looking as you? [Reuters]