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VH1 Keeps It 'Surreal' with Flav, ex-New Kid

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

12:30 PM PT

The next season of "The Surreal Life" will have both the Flavor and a little bit of "The Right Stuff."

The show, which is migrating from The WB to VH1 in the fall, began filming its third season Tuesday (June 15) with a new cast of six housemates. They include former New Kid on the Block Jordan Knight and rapper Flavor Flav, who was part of Public Enemy, pretty much the antithesis of the New Kids.

The housemates also include "American Idol" season one rejectee Ryan Starr, "Red Sonja" and "Beverly Hills Cop II" star Brigitte Nielsen, ex-"Full House" resident Dave Coulier and Charo, the Spanish actress known for her many "Love Boat" appearances and her "cuchi-cuchi" hip-shaking.

As VH1 has its roots as a network about music, the cast has a slightly more musical slant this year. Charo, the network says, is an accomplished flamenco guitarist, while Coulier is reportedly the subject of Alanis Morissette's jilted-lover song "You Oughta Know."

Knight, meanwhile, is using "The Surreal Life" as a promotional jumping-off point before heading out on his first solo national tour.

"The Surreal Life" is scheduled to premiere on VH1 Sunday, Sept. 5.