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.
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