TV Article

Star Trekkings

More celebs sign up for reality shows. A European import and another show from ''Survivor'' executive producer are topping the list

Hayden Christensen | FORCE OF NATURE Christensen joins ''Eco-Challenge''
Image credit: Hayden Christiansen: Stephen Danelian/Corbis Outline
FORCE OF NATURE Christensen joins ''Eco-Challenge''

What do you get when you cross reality TV and B-list stars? Well, in addition to ''The Osbournes,'' ''The Anna Nicole Show,'' and Fox's upcoming ''Celebrity Boot Camp,'' Granada Television is reportedly peddling a Hollywood version of ''I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!,'' which drew big ratings in England this summer by abandoning low-grade stars in an Australian rain forest (viewers voted them off one by one). One of the broadcast nets may buy the project, a source says. Meanwhile, USA Network's ''Eco-Challenge'' will feature two celebrity teams when this year's race kicks off in Fiji on Oct. 11 (it will air next April). ''Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones''' Hayden Christensen is teaming up with two siblings and a friend, while the first ''Survivor'''s Jenna Lewis, ''Survivor: Africa'''s Ethan Zohn, and ''Road Rules'' alumni Adam Larson and Timmy Beggy will make up another squad. But if you're thinking they'll get special treatment during the grueling race -- which involves rappelling, mountain biking, and mountaineering -- think again: ''Eco-Challenge'' and ''Survivor'' executive producer Mark Burnett says, ''At the beginning, I'll get it over with and announce, 'Yeah, that's Hayden Christensen, he still bleeds and cries. And no one asked Ethan to do this. Don't punish these people because one happened to do a movie, and the others did TV shows.''' So does this mean Burnett's prepping for a real celebrity ''Survivor''? Don't bet your immunity idol. ''It's an A-list show,'' he says. ''You can't do it with B-list celebs. I'd rather not do it at all than do some silly publicity stunt.'' Right, leave that to ''Fear Factor.''

Originally posted Sep 25, 2002 Published in issue #674 Sep 27, 2002 Order article reprints
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