Posted: Tue., Nov. 18, 2008, 8:00pm PT

MTV eyes 'Beauty and the Geek'

Cabler in talks to revive reality franchise

"Beauty and the Geek" may live on, via MTV.

The cabler is in talks with Fox21 and Katalyst Films about reviving the reality franchise, which was cut loose by the CW. Casting is already under way on the new edition, which would be tentatively titled "Beauty and the Geek Celebrity."

MTV is set to pick up six episodes of "Geek," and hold options for additional cycles of the show.

"Geek" originally premiered on the WB in 2004; the reality skein made the transition to the CW, airing its last seg on the Dub in May. All told, the WB and CW aired five seasons of the show, which paired good-looking women and socially awkward but smart men and had them compete in a series of challenges.

In its last incarnation, "Geek" was exec produced by Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, JD Roth, Nick Santora and Todd A. Nelson. Mike Richards hosted.

MTV is no stranger to "Beauty and the Geek," having aired off-net repeats of the reality show in the past. Original "Geek" host Bryan McFayden was also an MTV personality.

"Geek" also isn't the first netlet franchise to make its way to the MTV Networks. "The Surreal Life" originally aired on the WB before moving to VH1, which kept the show going for several more seasons.


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