Variety reports that "society princesses" Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are about to eschew their parties, wardrobes and trust funds for "The Simple Life," a reality series set to air on Fox. The "Green Acres"-inspired show will follow hotel scion Hilton and Richie (the daughter of pop crooner Lionel Richie) as they move in with a farm family for five weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Each episode will chronicle their struggle to fit in and deal with a kind of life they haven't experienced," said Jonathan Murray, who will produce with Mary-Ellis Bunim. The producers, best known for MTV's "The Real World," said they're still determining which family and rural community the duo will be placed with. They hope to start production on "The Simple Life" in the spring, and air the resulting six half-hour episodes later this year.

"What we loved about this idea was it's not about shock value," said Gary Newman, president of 20th Century Fox TV which is also on board. "It isn't about grossing people out; it's just another way to tell funny stories. It's not that far away from what we try to accomplish in our scripted series." Hilton and Richie, went to school together and have been tight friends for years. A model-turned-actress, Hilton has roles in the upcoming features "Wonderland," "The Cat in the Hat" and "Raising Helen."

Discuss this news story on our message boards