Three years ago, Ms. Conrad was one of eight well-to-do teenagers chosen to star in "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," which chronicled the daily lives of the young and indulged in Southern California. The show became a huge success, and MTV placed a bet that "Laguna" fans would want to watch Ms. Conrad navigate her charmed post-high-school life in a spinoff. She has left home and attends fashion school in Los Angeles, where she shares a luxury apartment with Ms. Montag, and has landed a coveted internship at Teen Vogue.
" 'The Hills' is to 'Laguna Beach' what 'Melrose Place' was to 'Beverly Hills 90210,' " said Tony DiSanto, one of the show's executive producers.
The second season of "Laguna Beach" averaged 3.2 million viewers an episode, an impressive number in the cable world. "The Hills," which made its debut on May 31, is already off to a strong start, Mr. DiSanto said. According to MTV, the season premiere reached more than 2.9 million viewers and was the most-watched show on television for the 8 p.m.-to-11 p.m. slot among viewers 12 to 24 years old, a prized demographic.
I like this show a lot and I used to watch Laguna all the time. Its amazing how famous Kristen has become, it is so weird for her I bet. I cant wait to see what happens with Jason and Lauren now on the Hills. Do any of you watch it?
No. I am against cable. And yes, I do live in the stone age.
--I am nothing special, just the combined efforts of every
person I've ever met and every book I've ever read.