LOS ANGELES: This is the kind of thing that would give newly appointed censor chief Anupam Kher many a sleepless night! A new reality TV show asks the question: "Can You Be a Pornstar?" Mary Carey, the porn actress who ran for California governor in the recent recall election, is among the hosts, joining fellow adult-film stars Tabitha Stevens and Ginger Lynn.

 
Silhouette Productions issued a statement announcing plans on 3 November to shoot seven one-hour shows, with plans to start broadcasting on iN DEMAND Networks and other pay-per-view channels on 8 January 2004.

A group of 28 women will compete for a one-year contract with a major adult video distributor and a cash prize of $100,000. "It's going to be an R-rated version for pay-per-view," Silhouette Productions CEO Harry Feingold said. "Obviously, there will be outtakes that will be hardcore," These will likely turn up on the DVD release. "It's like Paradise Hotel, when they go behind the scenes. Everybody wants to know what's going on. Well, here you see it," he said. Paradise Hotel refers to the Fox's reality series about young people trying to seduce each other.

In each episode, four women arrive at a house in Los Angeles for photo shoots, interviews and "surprises," according to Silhouette. Viewers will help pick eight finalists for a 90-minute finale.

The statement has promised "uninhibited nudity and sizzling sexuality," while the show's official Web site said it would feature "Real people having real sex!" "Pay-per-view gives us the freedom to take reality television where it has never gone before," Feingold said. "The last stigma today for audiences isn't renting adult films, it's admitting it, and this series offers viewers a fun, behind-the-scenes look at the star-making process in a multi-billion dollar industry."

He added that the show is designed "not just for men, but for wives and girlfriends who enjoy both reality TV and adult entertainment."