Ireland's The Hills gets the green light
Monday November 16 2009
IRELAND'S answer to Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and newlyweds Speidi, otherwise known as Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, will soon be taking to the small screen on a home-produced version of hit MTV show, The Hills.
The Herald can reveal a pilot version of the smash hit reality series has been given the green light by an independent production company in Dublin, with filming due to commence on the show in the coming weeks.
The much-anticipated series has resulted in a bidding war among interested parties, with both TV3 and RTE expressing an interest in the new show.
However, insiders claim it's the national broadcaster that will win out, given that among those involved with the production of the show is David Coffey.
The actor and writer is synonymous with RTE, given that he's the man behind satirical comedy series Dan and Becs, and also starred in the programme, as well as being the brains behind new Northside series, Sarah and Steve.
The young, gorgeous and loaded social set of Dublin are all set to become stars on the show, with models from a number of top agencies including First Option, Compton and Rogue Model Management all shortlisted to appear.
Among those believed to have nabbed a spot in the final line-up are First Option model Suzanne McAdam, Morgan the Agency model Shireen McDonagh and Rogue Model Management beauty Danielle Robinson.
The series will chronicle the girls' lives as they take on internships at glossy publication, Stellar magazine, party at top celebrity haunts including Krystle nightclub, Lillie's Bordello and the Wright venue, and discuss their relationships.
"It's going to be very similar to The Hills, in that it's a reality show format but mostly scripted," said an insider.
lnolan@herald.ie
- Lorna Nolan
