A Simple Ratings Boost for E!

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Reality, Ratings, Renewals, Rumors

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie enjoyed more than simple success with the first season of The Simple Life. The program brought in good numbers for FOX, one of the power players in the network ratings game. Hilton and Richie became more than celebutantes, known for shopping in sunny L.A. – they became bona fide reality stars. For three seasons, they enjoyed funny exploits for FOX. Then, the friendship fallout. Headlines were splashed everywhere, speculation ran heavy, and soon Richie was making her own headlines for rehab stints and startling weight losses. FOX wanted out of this not-so-simple mess when Paris and Nicole publicly stated they wouldn’t work with each other. The show was dropped, and the two famous-for-being-famous former friends might have lived the rest of their days as mere tabloid fodder. Instead, E! decided to pick the show up, formatting the fourth season of The Simple Life, this time subtitled ‘Til Death Do Us Part, so that the two wouldn’t have to actually spend time together on-screen. The simple show opened to record-breaking ratings on E!, though the same amount of viewers for the season would have been considered a huge flop for FOX. E! announced plans to renew the show even before the fourth season was finished airing. Early on, execs of the cable station said the girls would not get through the fifth season without sharing camera time. Conveniently, they didn’t have to worry about how they were going to pull it off – the girls reconciled, and now the dazzling ditzy duo will be featured together again for their fifth Simple season: The Simple Life Goes to Camp.

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