BUSOM BUDDIES Whitney, L.C. (Photo: www.fadedyouthblog.com)

A source close to production of the show tells Radar that the idea for the housing experiment was MTV's, and that the network will be paying for the Los Angeles apartment. Whitney and Lauren, of course, are total besties, because they used to work at Teen Vogue together and then traveled to Paris together and now do fashion-y stuff for PR lady Kelly Cutrone together.

Why is this such a big whoop?

• Even though the two are supposedly great friends, Whitney has long been Lauren's chief underminer, and has made a habit of subtly making Lauren feel like she's not really good enough in whatever relationship and job-related endeavors she pursues. Whether Whitney's undermining streak will intensify when the two share living arrangements remains to be seen, but we're betting it'll make for good television.

• Whitney and Lauren both have their own fashion labels. Lauren's has been lauded as a success, but poor Whitney can't even get New York stores to stock her label. Awkward! Will the two begrudgingly wear each others' clothes? Will their divergent successes lead to roommate frisson? We don't know, but we're glad MTV will be there to find out!

• We already know Lauren is a not-so-great roommate. The New York Post today reports that Lauren's current roommate, daft Playboy reject Audrina Patridge, has to lock the door to her bedroom when she leaves their apartment because "she doesn't trust Lauren." And Lauren's cat pees all over Audrina's shit. Based solely on appearances, we'd say that prissy Whitney will probably not take kindly to that sort of thing.

Buckle up, kiddos. This is going to be great.