TVSquad

Looks like there's only room for one reality show about TV celebrities walking a tightrope and juggling bowling pins.

ABC has actually changed its mind and will not produce a remake of Circus of the Stars. They decided that because NBC was already doing a celebs-under-the-big-top show (called Celebrity Circus), they didn't want to do one too. Instead, to fill the time slot, the network plans to do another celebrity reality series that features Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and Britney Spears competing to see who can be the first to get impregnated by Dustin Diamond.

(OK, I just made that up.)

NBC has brought back American Gladiators to good ratings, and now ABC wants to bring back a show from TVs past. The network is bringing back Circus of the Stars, the specials that had TV stars walking highwires, training tigers, swinging on a trapeze, and juggling. And NBC isn't staying out of the celebrity circus game. In fact, they have a new show coming up that's actually titled Celebrity Circus.

Eh. This isn't the 80s celebrity competition show I want to see come back. How about one of the networks (or all, they can rotate) bringing back Battle of the Network Stars? That might be fun strike viewing. And no, I'm not talking about that lame, horrifying Battle of the Reality TV Stars from a few years back. I want to see Jon Stewart steering a kayak, Matthew Fox throwing a football, but mostly I want to see the blond chick from Chuck in a wet bathing suit.

As for Circus of the Stars, I think the only thing that might make me tune in is the possibility of seeing Dr. Phil eaten by a lion.

Does anybody remember Circus of the Stars? It seems as though all of our reality shows lately are just the next version of that 1980s show, doesn't it? First it was dancing. Then it was skating. Now, it's singing with celebrities. American Idol's Simon Cowell just signed a deal with FOX to create a celeb-reality show called Duets. You've already figured out the premise, haven't you? Non-singing celebrities pair up with singers and compete for the public's affection. Just like the skating and the dancing, the viewers vote for their favorite duo. Even though Cowell is a creator, he will not be a judge. Pity. I'd love to see him rip into Paris Hilton or a lower-calibur celebrity. Cowell's also producing this show in the U.K.

Expect to see Duets this summer on FOX. When nothing else is on.