MTV Gets Busy

Faced with rising costs for dramatic fare, and rising ratings for reality fluff, MTV is getting ready to launch 8 -- that's right, 8 -- new reality shows.

"These new series reflect Generation 'Why Not?' -- living, working and playing on their own terms, 'adventure capitalists' if you will, pursuing a variety of thrill-seeking, 2.0, express-yourself enterprises," said Brian Graden, president of entertainment at MTV Networks Music Group.

We're not entirely sure what that means, but here's what they have in the gate:

College Life, about freshman at the University of Wisconsin. Can you say beer parties? Nitro Circus, with freestyle motocross star Travis Pastrana and his posse.

The CollegeHumor Show, set in the offices of the twentysomething-run website CollegeHumor.com.

How's Your News? which was first seen ten years ago as a series of short films directed by Arthur Bradford. This one's about news reporters who have disabilities.

Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, with the co-star of MTV's Rob & Big, who is trying to grow his skateboarding business via the Fantasy Factory, a 25,000-square-foot warehouse that is transformed into a play house.

Daddy's Girls, with Rev Run's daughters Vanessa and Angela Simmons of Run's House. In this outing, they move to Los Angeles and open a store to sell their apparel line while Vanessa tries to make it as an actor.

The Girls of Hedsor Hall, inspired by the British Ladette to Lady, about a dozen foul-mouthed party girls who go to finishing school. Former Miss USA Tara Conner will be the "visiting instructor" and the winner gets $100,000.

An untitled reality show which follows students of Cincinnati's School for the Creative and Performing Arts.