MTV's REAL WORLD HITS THE STRIP

Providing its signature reality series with a new venue as far removed from urban reality as can be imagined, MTV announced last week that the 12th edition of The Real World would take place in Las Vegas and will air in July 2002. Though previous installments have taken place in such hives of iniquity as New Orleans and Miami, never before has the show contended with Sin City itself. ?When it comes to rolling the dice on The Real World,? said John Miller, SVP-original programming, MTV, ?Las Vegas is a sure thing.?

OBER TAKES OVER SMUSH

USA Network last week said that Ken Ober, an occasional actor and the former host of MTV's Remote Control, would be taking the hosting reins on its new late-night game show, Smush. The show, a conceptual blend of British crossword puzzles, Super Password and House Party, will also have a former Playboy centerfold, Lisa Dergan, as the scorekeeper. According to USA SVP-reality programming Chris Sloan, Ober is ?a Smush virtuoso.? One example of Smush technique provided by the network: ?Jolly old Saint Nick + fear of enclosed spaces = SANTACLAUSTROPHOBIA.?

NICK RENEWS FAIRLY ODDPARENTS, DORA THE EXPLORER

Two of Nickelodeon's animated series, The Fairly OddParents and Dora the Explorer, have been renewed. ?Kids really enjoy The Fairly OddParents' sight gags and rapid-fire repartee, while Dora the Explorer engages and wins over just about everyone who sees it,? says Nick's EVP and GM, Cyma Zarghami.

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