They're not exactly seven strangers, but they were picked to live in a house and have their lives taped.
No, it's not the latest season of "The Real World" on MTV. It's "Boarding House: North Shore" — the surfer-version rip-off of "Real World" that debuts Wednesday (7 p.m., Ch. 30) on the WB.
The two shows have more than a bit in common. The "drama" here comes from putting people with conflicting personalities into the same environment and manipulating reality so that something happens. The biggest difference here is that the seven people on "North Shore" all actually have something to do — they're professional surfers competing for the Vans Triple Crown title.
But not all surfers are alike. Defending champion Myles Padaca seems more concerned about impending fatherhood than the competition (as well he should be). Damien Hobgood is also relatively conservative, while Danny Fuller is a player when it comes to women.
Holly Beck is all business about winning, a style that conflicts with party girl/model Veronica Kay. And Australian Chelsea Georgeson is just happy to be there.
The personality that really pops in Wednesday premiere, however, is Sunny Garcia, the five-time Vans champion and amateur pugilist. The guy's fuse is so short it's almost nonexistent — he's ready to throw punches at any moment and comes close to several fights in week one.
And he's the old man of the group at 33. Plus, he's got a wife and three kids.
The thinking here is to take young, pretty people who tend to wear skimpy clothes, put them in a gorgeous location and train cameras on them while they stress out over competition. Not a bad idea as reality shows go, but it all depends on how the personalities interact. And, while the first of six episodes spends a lot of time introducing the personalities and setting up what's to come, those interactions could be volatile.
This is actually less contrived than "The Real World," given that these people would all be in this place anyway. Except, of course, that they wouldn't be sharing a beautiful house.
But if you like "The Real World," you'll like "Boarding House: North Shore."
PARADISE HOTEL: Speaking of pretty young people in skimpy outfits at a fabulous location, Fox is premiering "Paradise Hotel" on Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Ch. 13.
Not only was nothing made available for critics to preview on this "reality" show, but the information about it is as skimpy as the bikinis will likely be. But here are a couple of clues that could be important — Fox, the network that seemingly has few (if any) broadcast standards, is advising viewer discretion. And the show's official Web site includes a category titled "bedroom shuffle."
The show, which will air Monday and Wednesdays at 8 p.m., features a group of studs and babes who "are given the opportunity of a lifetime — to live together in the most exclusive resort ever created." But one of them will be voted out each week and a replacement chosen from among the show's viewers.
You can be eligible (if you're young and gorgeous) by going to www.paradisehotelonfox.com. You'll have to win "a unique studio game where the guests at the hotel will decide which contestant will be the next guest."
It's only a guess, but this show appears to be about sex, sex and more sex. Remember, Fox is advising viewer discretion.
E-MAIL: pierce@desnews.com