This is a welcome development, provided that you, like me, look around at America and the world and find yourself thinking: “What this country needs is more reality shows! And more Nicole Richies!!” If for some incomprehensible reason you share this attitude, you’ll be delighted to hear that Nicole Richie is shopping around a new reality show, designed to spawn even more Nicole Richies.

The premise is simple. Seven female contestants from all over the US will compete by showing their ability to achieve “insta-fame.” (What this means is anyone’s guess, but it doesn’t sound pretty.) The winner will get her own reality show, so the contest will produce both more Nicole Richies and more reality shows. Supposedly three different cable networks have expressed interest, which means that with some minor tweaking three different versions of this gimmick could be running at the same time. Throw in Paris Hilton’s quest for a new Nicole, and we as a nation could be up to our armpits in Nicole Richie clones in a matter of months. Of course, if we could find a way to convert them to ethanol or some other biofuel, then our problems would be solved. And the residue would probably make a damn fine pet food additive.