After months of speculation -- and Lauren claiming that season four would be her last -- the high priestess of reality TV is officially signing off after the upcoming fifth season of "The Hills."
The news was confirmed by executive producer Liz Gateley, who said, "it is bittersweet. But I understand why [Lauren] is saying goodbye. I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together." Liz also said that Lauren is not expected to make return appearances to the show once she makes her final exit.
Wait a tic ... that sounds a lot like MTV is planning to continue "The Hills" without it's lead hill-ian at the helm. So who's going to take over for LC as narrator and tour guide for this peek into the faux-lifestyle of the rich and (let's pretend that we're not) famous? Let's discuss!
Spies at MTV claim producers are leaning toward Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt to replace Lauren as narrators with a Newlyweds-like spin. Yes, as much as it
pains me to say, at the end of the day, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt make the most sense as Lauren Conrad's replacements.
There is so much material to pull from with this terrible twosome, you'd swear they were acting. The only hitch in the plan is that it's waaaaay too
late to turn Spencer into a cool guy.
Sure, MTV could squeeze one more season of strife out of their relationship, but anything beyond that would be overkill.
Ooh, do that -- kill them at the end of season six and be done with the whole thing. Man I'm a good programming exec!
For me Audrina Patridge is the most obvious choice since she's got enough boy drama to fill 22-minutes each week, is smokin' hot and has been a familiar face since "Hills" day one.
But Audrina has earned the nickname "ceiling eyes" for her inability to say anything interesting and obviously uses Lauren as a touchstone for life. Her "I can't believe all this is happening while Lauren's away" lost scene is always good for a laugh.
So, is she capable of of carrying a series without relying on Lauren for talking points? I suspect that we will soon find out!If Audrina isn't interested -- she does have a movie career to think about -- Lauren "Lo" Bosworth is the next best/worst option. She's lent OG Lauren an ear and a snide comment since season one of "Laguna Beach" and the girl knows how to make good TV.
Her fake fight with Audrina last season was a highlight. But the kind of second banana role Lo supplies is never compelling enough to move into the spotlight. Remember "Joey?"
And considering since she's determined to have a personal life -- she has a longterm boyfriend we never see -- I doubt Lo would be interested in opening up more of her private self to the cameras.
My heart hurts just thinking about Stephanie Pratt becoming the star of "The Hills." Not only do I still despise the way she's shoehorned herself into the action, but I find her to be dumb, dull and depressing.
Plus, I root for Steph to be emotionally wounded, yelled at or embarrassed publicly. Not exactly what MTV is looking for in a sympathetic leading lady. Plus, if the network is going to slum it with Stephanie, they might as well just pick...
NY Post
. Way more entertaining the Speidi clan.
