Soap star wannabees need more practice

Just days after The Man on the Couch said there should be more reality shows where contestants can win a starring role in a TV show or big screen production, I received the preview for the fourth season of SOAPnet’s “I Wanna Be a Soap Star.”

Unfortunately for The Man on the Couch, who dreams of being on a reality show (any reality show), the casting calls are over, but the premiere is set for 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14.

I’m hoping that as the season goes on the contestants improve, otherwise “Days of Our Lives” is going to be left with a dud of a new cast member. While they all look the part, there are some who very evidently cannot pull off daily life on the Sony Lot.

Each episode features contestants learning the ropes of life on the soap screen, such as how to do a steamy bedroom scene, catfights, strip teases and drunken bar scenes.

“I Wanna Be a Soap Star” is hosted by Cameron Mathison of ABC’s “All My Children,” and contestants face a stacked panel of judges. They include Beth Evans, better known as Kayla Brady Johnson on “Days of Our Lives,” “Days” head writer Hogan Sheffer, and daytime television talent manager Michael Bruno.

While I’ve been sworn to secrecy as to what the preview revealed, I can tell you that it is possible for reality TV to be just as steamy as any daytime soap.

Some wonderful news also was recently released by Reality TV World. E! Network has announced that it has decided not to renew “The Simple Life” with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie for a sixth season.

Apparently the network must have thought that Hilton’s jail time wouldn’t do great things for ratings. Besides, I’m not sure that part of Hilton’s revamp of her life should include poking fun at others while pretending to work hard.

There’s also another, unexpected bad boy in reality television these days. Matt Roloff of TLC’s “Little People Big World” pled not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants, according to Reality TV World.

I try to pay attention to all the drama of reality TV both on and off screen, but somehow I missed Roloff being pulled over June 19 for failing to stay in his lane. I’ll try to keep you posted on how the case turns out.