[Omah]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...claims-MP.html

They are the northern versions of reality smash hits The Only Way is Essex and Made in Chelsea. But the Liverpool-based "scripted reality" shows Desperate Scousewives and Mersey Shore will only fuel "regional racism" against the city, claims a local MP and former mayor.

Hundreds of members of the public are currently fighting for a place on the programmes designed to tread a thin line between soap opera and documentary.

But the local Labour MP Steve Rotheram argued the "dramality" TV programmes will only reinforce the negative stereotypes cast on Liverpool life.

He said that the shows being developed by MTV and Channel 4 will damage the reputation of the scousers who are already typecast by hits such as Bread and Brookside.

A spokeswoman for E4, which is owned by Channel 4, confirmed that it was developing Desperate Scousewives, but said nothing had been confirmed yet.

Mersey Shore is already in production.

Bosses are rumoured to be keen to sign up Wayne Rooney's cousin, glamour model Natalie, and said there had been a “massive” amount of interest from wannabes hoping to follow in the footsteps of stars such as The Only Way Is Essex cast member Amy Childs.

The shows will follow the lives of a group of 20-30-somethings from Liverpool.

No doubt the producers will select the most gross of desperate applicants, and no doubt these will become role models for undiscerning viewers .....

[Locke.]

Desperate Scousewives definitely will.. why would you even apply for a show called that