I have some bad news. I was very excited to watch and share with you SOAPnet’s new reality show “The Fashionista Diaries,” but due to technical difficulties, I couldn’t get the rough cut to do anything but spin in circles in my DVD player and display an error message on the screen.

The most disappointing part is that the first episode is a naked photo shoot with Milk Studios, followed by a real red carpet reporting challenge.

There is, however, an upside. We all can enjoy the first episode together when it airs at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1. If you don’t get SOAPnet, don’t worry. I’ve read rumors that the episodes also will be available on the network’s Web site.

Even though I didn’t get a sneak peak, the advance information provided by SOAPnet says that the show’s a conglomeration of some of my favorites so I’m sure I’ll eventually be hooked.

The series takes a little bit from “The Apprentice” by placing six assistants directly into the fashion world where they’ll work with companies such as Flirt! Cosmetics, Jane magazine and a fashion public relations agency.

There’s also a little “Top Design” thrown in as the male and female contestants try to make it in the fashion industry. “The Fashionista Diaries,” like “Top Design” also culminates at Fashion Week.

In other news, The Man on the Couch has a theory. We were perplexed as to why contestants like Boy Shakira-Britney and Mohammad Kashif the Bollywood dancer are even allowed to perform on camera for “America’s Got Talent” (because neither are talented). But The Man has figured it out.

Every time someone votes, the show makes money. There are so many people out there who vote for the untalented underdog – example: Sanjaya on “American Idol” – that the show makes more money. It also attracts more hype as media outlets, bloggers, etc. speculate as to why the untalented are allowed to stick around.

How many times did we hear Sanjaya’s name on the radio and TV, or read about him in newspapers and magazines before he got the boot? And even though he’s off our television screens for now, I’m sure he hasn’t been forgotten.

So that’s it. Producer Simon Cowell has figured out how to manipulate viewers and get the biggest bang for his buck. It’s a smart move, but unfortunately we have to suffer for him to bring home the bacon.