VH1 is embarking on another expansion of its "Surreal Life" franchise, thereby ensuring continued employment and camera time for a number of its stars.

The cable network says it will begin production shortly on "The Surreal Life Fame Games," in which several former (and future) Lifers participate in a series of competitions that "parody the trappings, costs, conceits and drama of being famous." Among those taking part are Brigitte Nielsen, Emmanuel Lewis, Ron Jeremy, Traci Bingham and Vanilla Ice.

"Hollywood celebrities tend to take themselves too seriously -- we're going to have a great time lampooning the whole celebrity process," executive producer Cris Abrego says.

Your "Fame Games" host will be Robin Leach, which seems appropriate. Players will take part in such games as "Paparazzi Hide-and-Seek" and "Hotel Room Trash-a-thon," with the winner walking away with $100,000.

"The Surreal Life Fame Games" brings to mind the various incarnations of "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" on VH1's big brother MTV. Those shows have served as career extenders for dozens of cast members from "The Real World" and "Road Rules" who aren't yet ready to let the clock run out on their celebrity.

Abrego and producing partner Mark Cronin have some experience in extending their brand. Past "Surreal Life" seasons have spawned "Strange Love," chronicling the relationship between Nielsen and Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav; "My Fair Brady," which did the same for ex-Brady kid Christopher Knight and "Top Model" Adrianne Curry; and "Flavor of Love," a "Bachelor"-esque series with Flav at its center.