• by David Kaplan , December 2, 2004

Viacom's MTV/VH1 have given the green light to two new series, one of which expands the ubiquity of pop diva Jessica Simpson's clan, while another looks to start another featuring a fairly anonymous alterna-rocker.

The "Nick Lachey Project" (working title) features Simpson's husband as he embarks on a breakout journey to find a record label and launch his solo career. And no, gossip-mongers, it doesn't mean the end of America's favorite over-exposed TV couple since the "Sonny & Cher Show" aired back in the 1970s.

MTV also announced Wednesday that the third season of "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica" will return. Lastly, the second season of "The Ashlee Simpson Show," which stars Jessica's sister--most famous for her lip-synching mishap on "Saturday Night Live" last month--will return in January 2005.

The second new show, "Meet the Barkers," is centered around the life of the tattooed, mohawked drummer Travis Barker of the San Diego-based band Blink-182, and his wife Shanna Moakler, a former Miss USA-turned TV actress. It's seen as a bridge between the Osbournes' reality series and the "Newlyweds," MTV said. "With 'Meet the Barkers,' our viewers will get a glimpse of an entirely new side of rock 'n roll family life," said Lois Curren, executive vice president, MTV Series Entertainment.