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The Simple Life

The idea for The Simple Life was generated in Fox's comedy department. Brad Johnson, senior VP of comedy development, said The Simple Life was born out of a challenge from Fox Television Entertainment Group Chairman Sandy Grushow and News Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Peter Chernin to find another way to do comedies outside of the traditional sitcom format.

"The areas that seemed simplest and cleanest was to go back to those high-concept '60s sitcoms and say let's do them for real," Mr. Johnson said.

The Simple Life was inspired by Green Acres, a sitcom about a New York society couple who moved to a farm. Mr. Johnson said they originally thought of moving an entire family to the South. Cameras would observe as the former socialites, deprived of access to their bank accounts and Beemers, attempt to get a job, buy groceries and fit in with average Americans. At the same time the comedy department was developing the idea, Paris Hilton was meeting with the studio's casting department.

Sharon Klein, senior VP of casting at the studio, said she was immediately fascinated by Ms. Hilton and wanted to do a show with her. "I'm used to meeting with actors who are putting on a façade," Ms. Klein said. "She was so real. She was funny. At that first meeting she did not come off stupid. She was in her own reality and not embarrassed to talk about it. There was a sweetness to her."

The two departments talked and realized they had their show: Send Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky, who had never worked a day in their lives, to live and work on a farm. At the time, the studio was working closely with Mike Darnell, head of reality programming at Fox, who liked the idea. "They wanted to see stilettos in cow shit," Ms. Klein said. Paris was convinced to come on board, however Nicky, being somewhat shy to the limelight at the time, opted out. Paris told some media that she was in talks to do the show by herself, but ultimately, Fox decided the city-living cast had to be a duo.

Paris allegedly asked several close friends onboard, including Bijou Phillips and Kimberly Stewart, and ended up making the agreement with Nicole Richie. Fox hired established reality producer Bunim/Murray to produce. Bunim/Murray found the Leding family in Altus, Arkansas, for the girls to move in with.

A band known as The Penfifteen Club recorded one of the show's themes, a tribute song called "Miss Hilton". With everything ready to go, production began May 2, 2003.

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The Simple Life Episodes

The Simple Life Season 1

0. 1- 0 Pilot
1. 1- 1 LIF-101 2 Dec 03 Episode 1
2. 1- 2 LIF-102 3 Dec 03 Episode 2
3. 1- 3 LIF-103 9 Dec 03 Episode 3
4. 1- 4 LIF-104 16 Dec 03 Episode 4
5. 1- 5 LIF-105 17 Dec 03 Episode 5
6. 1- 6 LIF-106 7 Jan 04 Episode 6
7. 1- 7 LIF-107 14 Jan 04 Episode 7

The Simple Life Special

S- 8 13 Jan 04 The Simple Life Reunion

The Simple Life Season 1

8. 1- 9 LIF-108 26 Jan 04 The Lost Episode

The Simple Life Season 2

9. 2- 1 LIF-201 16 Jun 04 Episode 201
10. 2- 2 LIF-202 16 Jun 04 Episode 202
11. 2- 3 LIF-203 23 Jun 04 Episode 203
12. 2- 4 LIF-204 30 Jun 04 Episode 204
13. 2- 5 LIF-205 7 Jul 04 Episode 205
14. 2- 6 LIF-206 14 Jul 04 Episode 206
15. 2- 7 LIF-207 21 Jul 04 Episode 207
16. 2- 8 LIF-208 28 Jul 04 Episode 208
17. 2- 9 LIF-209 4 Aug 04 Episode 209
18. 2-10 LIF-210 4 Aug 04 Episode 210

The Simple Life Special

S-11 SP-0518 17 Nov 04 The Simple Life 2: Road Trip: The Stuff We Weren't Allowed To Show You

The Simple Life Season 3

20. 3- 1 LIF-301 26 Jan 05 Mechanics/Secretaries
21. 3- 2 LIF-302 9 Feb 05 Airline
22. 3- 3 LIF-303 16 Feb 05 Mortuary
23. 3- 4 LIF-305 23 Feb 05 Plastic Surgery
24. 3- 5 LIF-307 2 Mar 05 Broadcasting
25. 3- 6 LIF-306 9 Mar 05 Daycare
26. 3- 7 LIF-308 16 Mar 05 Zoo
27. 3- 8 LIF-309 23 Mar 05 Culinary
28. 3- 9 LIF-310 30 Mar 05 Psychic
29. 3-10 LIF-311 6 Apr 05 Nursing Home
30. 3-11 LIF-313 13 Apr 05 Ad Agency (BK)
31. 3-12 LIF-312 20 Apr 05 Firefighters
32. 3-13 LIF-314 28 Apr 05 Manufacturing
33. 3-14 LIF-315 12 May 05 Wedding Planner
34. 3-15 LIF-316 12 May 05 Dentistry

The Simple Life Season 4

35. 4- 1 4 Jun 06 The Nolan Family
36. 4- 2 11 Jun 06 The Ghauri Family
37. 4- 3 18 Jun 06 The Weekes Family
38. 4- 4 25 Jun 06 The Padilla Family
39. 4- 5 9 Jul 06 The Bowden Family
40. 4- 6 16 Jul 06 The Murrie Family
41. 4- 7 23 Jul 06 The Contreras Family
42. 4- 8 30 Jul 06 The Beggs Family
43. 4- 9 6 Aug 06 The Burton Family
44. 4-10 13 Aug 06 The Confrontation

The Simple Life Season 5

45. 5- 1 3 Jun 07 Season 5 - Episode 1

The Simple Life Comments

Paris... yeah right she actually does the work, there must be a hundred lackies helping out

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