TVSquad

Once upon a time, Showtime had a popular show called The L Word. When it was winding down, they worked to put together a spin-off, but that never worked. What to do. What to do.

"Them there Real Housewives of Mayberry is real popular."

"Yep."

"Ain't they just doing Desperate Housewives with real people?"

"I reckon."

"Why don't we do that?"

How's that for authentic Hollywood dialogue I just totally made up? But that's what Showtime is looking to do: The Real L Word: Los Angeles.

The whole project hinges on finding a group of lesbians worth following around with cameras in the LA area. Considering how easily they can find rich pampered housewives all over the country, I'd imagine they can find a good group.

I think it's interesting. Nothing to do with the idea of turning The L Word into a reality show; I'm sure that could work out quite well. It's this ongoing idea of looking to scripted television for reality show ideas. We've seen Cold Case become Cold Case Files, The O.C. lead to Speidi, and Cops evolved into Reno 911. Wait, I may have gotten some of that mixed up, but you get my point.

I find myself trying to imagine what a reality show based on some of my favorite scripted shows might be like. Is it time to start following around a bunch of biker outlaws for The Real Sons of Anarchy? More importantly why haven't we already had a reality spin-off of The Office. Just find some paper company somewhere and follow everybody around with cameras. It practically writes itself!

What shows would you like to see twisted into a reality show, and how would you do it?