Reality TV Puts LA Tourism on Map

Once reality royalty, now they're forced to eat 'tacos and burritos'

(NEWSER) - The famewhoring and ridiculous antics of Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag finally backfired, leaving them broke and forced to live rent-free at Spencer's parents' house. (Although, it is a Santa Barbara beach house, so don't feel too sorry for them.) They explain to the Daily Beast how it all went wrong:

• They thought that living a fake life in front of the cameras (for example: Through it all, they never actually broke up ) would pay off for them in the long run, but it turns out "you can be too famous," Spencer says. "Reality TV is not a career." His antics for the camera made him so widely detested he can't find a job, and is considering going back to school. Heidi has been appearing on a reality competition show.
• Spencer says they never truly had any money, because they spent it as quickly as they got it. A whopping $2 million went toward hiring writers, producers, and engineers for Heidi's failed music endeavor .
• "I probably spent a million dollars on suits and fancy clothes,” Spencer says. “My whole million-dollar wardrobe—I would never wear that again. They’re props. Everything we were doing, we were buying props."

Plus, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag want their own show—of course

(NEWSER) - The inexhaustible Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are at it again, re-fueling their feud with Al Roker and campaigning for their own show. Pratt insulted Roker via Twitter (“WEATHERMAN I thought you were out of town today getting your stomache [sic] stapled again?” among other gems) when the couple’s interview yesterday was canceled, Us reports. Meanwhile, Speidi tells the AP that although they’re shopping their own show, they will also—joy!—stay on The Hills. More»

94% of readers are sick of reading about reality show couple

(NEWSER) - Christmas has come early for anyone who sick to death of the antics of Spencer and Heidi Pratt. E! has decided to go Speidi-free after a recent poll, in which 94% of respondents said the “stars” of such reality gems as The Hills and I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! should be banned from coverage. And the world rejoiced. More»

Plus, Carrie Prejean and Speidi and Katherine Heigl are all back

(NEWSER) - Sean Penn may be taking a career time-out, but his wife certainly isn’t. Robin Wright Penn says that now that her kids are older, “I'm ready to go wild, man!” while promoting her latest film, the Mirror reports. Of her once-estranged hubby’s hiatus, she said, “Thank God somebody's staying with the kids!” Elsewhere:

• Carrie Prejean is still threatening to sue if the Miss California pageant does not retract “defamatory statements” made against her by an exec, E! reports.

Spears dogged by rumors that she stormed out of taping

(NEWSER) - New judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato had their first X Factor taping yesterday, and of course there were rumors of bad behavior. TMZ reports that Spears stormed off the set upset after a contestant did a less-than-stellar version of her song "Hold It Against Me," forcing the next four contestants to audition in front of the remaining judges while her seat stayed empty. But Spears tweeted a denial, the New York Daily News reports: "#Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break, people. I am having the BEST time!!!" More»