It's official: Kristin Cavallari joins 'The Hills'

The rumors are true: Former "Laguna Beach" star Kristin Cavallari will join the cast of "The Hills" when the series comes back with 10 new episodes this fall.

After she boasted to TMZ cameras in April that if she took the job, she'd do it do better than current star Lauren Conrad, Cavallari talked up an even bigger game to EW.com, which confirmed the news Thursday morning. 

First and foremost, Cavallari still wants to act -- an episode of "CSI" might just be her biggest credit to date -- and hopes the notoriety of being a reality TV star will once again make her a hot commodity: “The goal for me is to get my fans excited about me again. When I first started out, I had a celebrity name but I didn’t have the acting skills I have now. If I have some buzz with my name again, I feel like it will only help.”

That means, she's essentially prepared to ditch the "reality" part to give "The Hills" the drama it needs.

“It’s a TV show. I’m not going into it like, ‘I’m going to make great friendships with these people.’ It’s work! And drama sells. I think that’s why they’re bringing me in, because I know what works.”

Unlike Lauren, perhaps? “I’m a completely different person than Lauren. I have a lot more energy. I’m more outgoing. I’m a little more spontaneous. And she has a boyfriend so she’s not dating on the show. I’m very open to dating and finding a guy.”

What does everyone think? Good move for the show? Think it's time "The Hills" dropped the "reality" pretense anyway? Sound off.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: Associated Press

Let's get one thing straight: Brody and Audrina slept together during that Hawaii vacation.

All that talk in Monday's episode about how they just dozed off together in the same bed was pretty lame, especially for viewers who saw evidence to the contrary in last week's episode.

Fast forward to the 18 minute and 36 second mark: "Listen, I messed up. I cheated on my girlfriend," Brody admitted/boasted. And at the 19 minute and 43 second mark, Audrina told her friends that Brody's Playboy playmate girlfriend Jayde Nicole, who wasn't present, can bring it: "Let her come after me. Start a war. Whatever."

Whatever is right. Not sure if I want to follow these two in a Lauren-less "Hills" this fall. Something about Audrina's sudden transformation into a drama queen -- she crashes not one but two parties where she knows Brody and Jayde will be! -- reeks of desperation.

Audrina, I was happy to see you stand up for yourself last season when Lauren and Lo were icing you out. But you are not Kristen Cavallari. Kristen, for one thing, never feigned innocence. Getting together with Brody was gross. And wrong. But mostly gross. Own up to it and leave the bitch routine to the pros.

Speaking of the pros, I have to hand it Jayde for not giving in to Audrina's goading. She looked like she could easily have snapped Audrina into two. But both of their would-be catfights wound up being a lot of talk and Audrina making a speedy exit. Good for Jayde, but rather dull for the audience.

Not as dull, however, as Heidi versus Stacie, the bartender with a hankering for some camera time Spencer. "There will always be another Stacie," she told Heidi repeatedly. Heidi didn't have much of a response, but she took the story to the therapist, which I guess is the point for reality TV's hardest-working couple.

Bah, next week is better. Next week, just as I predicted, is when Lauren will have to fire Stephanie from People's Revolution.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: Audrina Patridge. Credit: MTV 

Remember her?

Rumor has it that "Laguna Beach" bad girl Kristen Cavallari may be returning to MTV to replace the soon-to-depart Lauren Conrad as the star of "The Hills." Or, you know, whatever they decide to call her show.

A rep for MTV declined comment on the matter, but the idea was addressed on the channel itself last night during "The Hills: Live After Show." Host Jessi pointed out that Cavallari was in attendance at last weekend's Spencer-Heidi wedding -- which, of course, was being documented by "Hills" cameras.

And not only that ...

"Apparently by some strange miracle she just happened to catch Heidi's bouquet," Jessi said. "Kind of convenient considering the rumor is that she will be taking Lauren's place next season on 'The Hills.' Can Kristen be the new Lauren?"

Montag told Us Weekly that Cavallari is actually the person who introduced the newlyweds at a nightclub three years ago. (Looks like "Hills" watchers owe a debt to Cavallari.)

In the meantime, MTV announced today that "The Hills" will in fact go on without Conrad -- for five episodes at least, arriving this fall. Says the press release:

MTV viewers will find out life in Los Angeles only gets more complicated as friendships, relationships and loyalties are tested like never before as “The Hills” returns this fall with more episodes of season five. Lauren has moved on, but Heidi, Audrina, Spencer, Brody, Stephanie, Lo and Justin Bobby will be back as the drama continues with fresh faces, new stories and shocking surprises. Spencer and Heidi will be newlyweds so the stakes are higher than ever before for the two to make things work.

The network also unveiled a slate of news series, and renewals for "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory," "Nitro Circus," "Rand Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" and "Run's House."

What do you all think? Are you in the mood for more Cavallari?

-- Denise Martin

Photo: MTV

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag did not attend NBC's summer press day today to promote "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" perhaps because they're getting married this weekend.

Or perhaps because former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's presence threatened to upstage them. And that -- as fans of "The Hills," Perez Hilton's dispatches on them and the entire Speidiverse know -- cannot happen.

So I e-mailed Spencer to ask for an on-the-record comment about "I'm a Celebrity," or anything else he wanted to say.

He responded immediately. "Help me coming up with your dream quote for print and its all yours!!!"

Spencer still cares about print! It's gratifying.

I then asked him a specific question: What's your strategy for winning over America since the public votes?

Spencer e-mailed back adding four new people to the cc list (I've edited for spelling because he was responding on Blackberry): "Team, what's my brilliant response about the American public wanting me to stay in the jungle being tortured by NBC producers with eating live creatures and having to sleep on the jungle floor for as long as possible in one quick soundbyte for the greatest writer/editor in history! My good friend Kate Arthur [Note: It's Aurthur!] who will be attending the Speidi wedding tomorrow."

This is a thoroughly modern wedding invitation if I've ever seen one.

Fifty-two minutes later, one of the cc'd people, from the public relations firm of Cohn & Wolfe, wrote:

"Here is Spencer’s response to your question about 'his strategy for winning over America' in the new show:

'This is nothing new to me; I'm tortured everyday by every entertainment show, tabloid, Web site and blog known to man. To me, it's a vacation in Costa Rica. I just hope America let's me stay long enough to get a tan.'"

I thanked them.

Spencer then wrote back: "Do you think that's good enough? There are so many great angles, help us Kate. I want a legendary first quote about this show!"

Spencer, with a smile on your face, you continue to show us how the machine works in the Celebrity Industrial Complex. We thank you.

-- Kate Aurthur

Photo: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

The cast of NBC's rebooted version of "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" will be announced Friday morning. But the names of a number of contestants — and one wannabe contestant, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — are already out there. Even though it's top secret.

Predictably, it has been the publicity-lovin' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt — the happy "Hills" couple —who will reportedly be on the show, who have most egregiously laughed in the face of the NBC embargo. By posting "hints" of their whereabouts today on their Twitter feeds.

When we say hints, we mean things such as these:

heidimontag: getting ready for NBC promos!

And later:

heidimontag: just finished filming NBC promos! we were flying!!!! crazy

Spencer, meanwhile, was much sneakier:

spencerpratt: Speidi trailer on set of top secret shoot! More details to come!

(There was a link to this photo.)

An NBC rep, when asked about these "leaks," wrote, "No one is officially confirmed."

— Kate Aurthur

We didn't make "The Hills" Tuesday night session at PaleyFest — but those who did reported the big news: Spencer Pratt will finally confess to spreading the sex tape rumors about Lauren Conrad and ex Jason Wahler, the very rumor that ended the best-friendship between Conrad and his fiancee, Heidi Montag. 

Reports THR.com: "We actually have it on tape," Conrad told the crowd. "He takes responsibility and apologizes for it."

But since Conrad has said publicly that she won't be attending the Speidi nuptials, we're guessing she did not accept.

Elsewhere during the night, Conrad said things with Heidi have reached a point where they can now "be in the same room." (She told us earlier that certain circumstances — read: Spencer — will prevent them from ever really reconciling.) MTV exec Liz Gateley defended the cast's intelligence, saying, “These folks do talk about a lot of intelligent things — like global warming — we just don’t show that on the show.” And producers remain "in talks" about a sixth season sans Conrad.

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

Finally, someone who knows what we want! If we all know life is but a stage on the reality of "The Hills," at least Kelly Cutrone plays her part with some gusto. Oh, the kids around her are working equally hard to drum up the drama -- two words about next week's episode: couples' therapy! -- demonstrating that they can carry on their cues without Lauren. But only Cutrone makes us eager for more. To recap:

The top of the episode begins with some sibling rivalry because Spencer's drama means always having to feud with someone. Stephanie pays him a visit, and he tells her her hat makes her look like a train conductor. Stephanie retaliates by telling him Heidi's been hanging out with an ex-boyfriend in Colorado. Spencer says he’s going to start cruising for girls too.

Remember Lauren has a job at People's Revolution? She stops in just long enough to let boss woman Kelly tell her they need an intern to replace Whitney, who's gone on to bigger, better intern-like jobs in New York. Before Lauren can say a word, Kelly warns her to be careful whom she refers. Suddenly, I want to hit fast-forward for the next scene with Kelly and Lauren's sure-to-be referral, Stephanie.

But first, Lauren and Stephanie go out for food. Lauren’s really hungry, and Stephanie asks if Lauren feels pressure to stay thin in L.A. “That’s what baggy shirts are for,” she says. (Lauren tries to keep it real: her clothing line is full of baggy shirts and dresses.) Anyways, Lauren mentions a job opening. "How does one apply for People’s Revolution?" Stephanie wonders.  “I’m sure 100 people want that job.” Lauren looks wary but says she can get Stephanie an interview.

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

'The Hills': When catfights become boring

Let's get one thing straight: Brody and Audrina slept together during that Hawaii vacation.

All that talk in Monday's episode about how they just dozed off together in the same bed was pretty lame, especially for viewers who saw evidence to the contrary in last week's episode.

Fast forward to the 18 minute and 36 second mark: "Listen, I messed up. I cheated on my girlfriend," Brody admitted/boasted. And at the 19 minute and 43 second mark, Audrina told her friends that Brody's Playboy playmate girlfriend Jayde Nicole, who wasn't present, can bring it: "Let her come after me. Start a war. Whatever."

Whatever is right. Not sure if I want to follow these two in a Lauren-less "Hills" this fall. Something about Audrina's sudden transformation into a drama queen -- she crashes not one but two parties where she knows Brody and Jayde will be! -- reeks of desperation.

Audrina, I was happy to see you stand up for yourself last season when Lauren and Lo were icing you out. But you are not Kristen Cavallari. Kristen, for one thing, never feigned innocence. Getting together with Brody was gross. And wrong. But mostly gross. Own up to it and leave the bitch routine to the pros.

Speaking of the pros, I have to hand it Jayde for not giving in to Audrina's goading. She looked like she could easily have snapped Audrina into two. But both of their would-be catfights wound up being a lot of talk and Audrina making a speedy exit. Good for Jayde, but rather dull for the audience.

Not as dull, however, as Heidi versus Stacie, the bartender with a hankering for some camera time Spencer. "There will always be another Stacie," she told Heidi repeatedly. Heidi didn't have much of a response, but she took the story to the therapist, which I guess is the point for reality TV's hardest-working couple.

Bah, next week is better. Next week, just as I predicted, is when Lauren will have to fire Stephanie from People's Revolution.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: Audrina Patridge. Credit: MTV 

Remember her?

Rumor has it that "Laguna Beach" bad girl Kristen Cavallari may be returning to MTV to replace the soon-to-depart Lauren Conrad as the star of "The Hills." Or, you know, whatever they decide to call her show.

A rep for MTV declined comment on the matter, but the idea was addressed on the channel itself last night during "The Hills: Live After Show." Host Jessi pointed out that Cavallari was in attendance at last weekend's Spencer-Heidi wedding -- which, of course, was being documented by "Hills" cameras.

And not only that ...

"Apparently by some strange miracle she just happened to catch Heidi's bouquet," Jessi said. "Kind of convenient considering the rumor is that she will be taking Lauren's place next season on 'The Hills.' Can Kristen be the new Lauren?"

Montag told Us Weekly that Cavallari is actually the person who introduced the newlyweds at a nightclub three years ago. (Looks like "Hills" watchers owe a debt to Cavallari.)

In the meantime, MTV announced today that "The Hills" will in fact go on without Conrad -- for five episodes at least, arriving this fall. Says the press release:

MTV viewers will find out life in Los Angeles only gets more complicated as friendships, relationships and loyalties are tested like never before as “The Hills” returns this fall with more episodes of season five. Lauren has moved on, but Heidi, Audrina, Spencer, Brody, Stephanie, Lo and Justin Bobby will be back as the drama continues with fresh faces, new stories and shocking surprises. Spencer and Heidi will be newlyweds so the stakes are higher than ever before for the two to make things work.

The network also unveiled a slate of news series, and renewals for "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory," "Nitro Circus," "Rand Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" and "Run's House."

What do you all think? Are you in the mood for more Cavallari?

-- Denise Martin

Photo: MTV

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag did not attend NBC's summer press day today to promote "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" perhaps because they're getting married this weekend.

Or perhaps because former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's presence threatened to upstage them. And that -- as fans of "The Hills," Perez Hilton's dispatches on them and the entire Speidiverse know -- cannot happen.

So I e-mailed Spencer to ask for an on-the-record comment about "I'm a Celebrity," or anything else he wanted to say.

He responded immediately. "Help me coming up with your dream quote for print and its all yours!!!"

Spencer still cares about print! It's gratifying.

I then asked him a specific question: What's your strategy for winning over America since the public votes?

Spencer e-mailed back adding four new people to the cc list (I've edited for spelling because he was responding on Blackberry): "Team, what's my brilliant response about the American public wanting me to stay in the jungle being tortured by NBC producers with eating live creatures and having to sleep on the jungle floor for as long as possible in one quick soundbyte for the greatest writer/editor in history! My good friend Kate Arthur [Note: It's Aurthur!] who will be attending the Speidi wedding tomorrow."

This is a thoroughly modern wedding invitation if I've ever seen one.

Fifty-two minutes later, one of the cc'd people, from the public relations firm of Cohn & Wolfe, wrote:

"Here is Spencer’s response to your question about 'his strategy for winning over America' in the new show:

'This is nothing new to me; I'm tortured everyday by every entertainment show, tabloid, Web site and blog known to man. To me, it's a vacation in Costa Rica. I just hope America let's me stay long enough to get a tan.'"

I thanked them.

Spencer then wrote back: "Do you think that's good enough? There are so many great angles, help us Kate. I want a legendary first quote about this show!"

Spencer, with a smile on your face, you continue to show us how the machine works in the Celebrity Industrial Complex. We thank you.

-- Kate Aurthur

Photo: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

The cast of NBC's rebooted version of "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" will be announced Friday morning. But the names of a number of contestants — and one wannabe contestant, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — are already out there. Even though it's top secret.

Predictably, it has been the publicity-lovin' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt — the happy "Hills" couple —who will reportedly be on the show, who have most egregiously laughed in the face of the NBC embargo. By posting "hints" of their whereabouts today on their Twitter feeds.

When we say hints, we mean things such as these:

heidimontag: getting ready for NBC promos!

And later:

heidimontag: just finished filming NBC promos! we were flying!!!! crazy

Spencer, meanwhile, was much sneakier:

spencerpratt: Speidi trailer on set of top secret shoot! More details to come!

(There was a link to this photo.)

An NBC rep, when asked about these "leaks," wrote, "No one is officially confirmed."

— Kate Aurthur

We didn't make "The Hills" Tuesday night session at PaleyFest — but those who did reported the big news: Spencer Pratt will finally confess to spreading the sex tape rumors about Lauren Conrad and ex Jason Wahler, the very rumor that ended the best-friendship between Conrad and his fiancee, Heidi Montag. 

Reports THR.com: "We actually have it on tape," Conrad told the crowd. "He takes responsibility and apologizes for it."

But since Conrad has said publicly that she won't be attending the Speidi nuptials, we're guessing she did not accept.

Elsewhere during the night, Conrad said things with Heidi have reached a point where they can now "be in the same room." (She told us earlier that certain circumstances — read: Spencer — will prevent them from ever really reconciling.) MTV exec Liz Gateley defended the cast's intelligence, saying, “These folks do talk about a lot of intelligent things — like global warming — we just don’t show that on the show.” And producers remain "in talks" about a sixth season sans Conrad.

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

Finally, someone who knows what we want! If we all know life is but a stage on the reality of "The Hills," at least Kelly Cutrone plays her part with some gusto. Oh, the kids around her are working equally hard to drum up the drama -- two words about next week's episode: couples' therapy! -- demonstrating that they can carry on their cues without Lauren. But only Cutrone makes us eager for more. To recap:

The top of the episode begins with some sibling rivalry because Spencer's drama means always having to feud with someone. Stephanie pays him a visit, and he tells her her hat makes her look like a train conductor. Stephanie retaliates by telling him Heidi's been hanging out with an ex-boyfriend in Colorado. Spencer says he’s going to start cruising for girls too.

Remember Lauren has a job at People's Revolution? She stops in just long enough to let boss woman Kelly tell her they need an intern to replace Whitney, who's gone on to bigger, better intern-like jobs in New York. Before Lauren can say a word, Kelly warns her to be careful whom she refers. Suddenly, I want to hit fast-forward for the next scene with Kelly and Lauren's sure-to-be referral, Stephanie.

But first, Lauren and Stephanie go out for food. Lauren’s really hungry, and Stephanie asks if Lauren feels pressure to stay thin in L.A. “That’s what baggy shirts are for,” she says. (Lauren tries to keep it real: her clothing line is full of baggy shirts and dresses.) Anyways, Lauren mentions a job opening. "How does one apply for People’s Revolution?" Stephanie wonders.  “I’m sure 100 people want that job.” Lauren looks wary but says she can get Stephanie an interview.

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

'The Hills': Is Kristen Cavallari the new Lauren Conrad?

Remember her?

Rumor has it that "Laguna Beach" bad girl Kristen Cavallari may be returning to MTV to replace the soon-to-depart Lauren Conrad as the star of "The Hills." Or, you know, whatever they decide to call her show.

A rep for MTV declined comment on the matter, but the idea was addressed on the channel itself last night during "The Hills: Live After Show." Host Jessi pointed out that Cavallari was in attendance at last weekend's Spencer-Heidi wedding -- which, of course, was being documented by "Hills" cameras.

And not only that ...

"Apparently by some strange miracle she just happened to catch Heidi's bouquet," Jessi said. "Kind of convenient considering the rumor is that she will be taking Lauren's place next season on 'The Hills.' Can Kristen be the new Lauren?"

Montag told Us Weekly that Cavallari is actually the person who introduced the newlyweds at a nightclub three years ago. (Looks like "Hills" watchers owe a debt to Cavallari.)

In the meantime, MTV announced today that "The Hills" will in fact go on without Conrad -- for five episodes at least, arriving this fall. Says the press release:

MTV viewers will find out life in Los Angeles only gets more complicated as friendships, relationships and loyalties are tested like never before as “The Hills” returns this fall with more episodes of season five. Lauren has moved on, but Heidi, Audrina, Spencer, Brody, Stephanie, Lo and Justin Bobby will be back as the drama continues with fresh faces, new stories and shocking surprises. Spencer and Heidi will be newlyweds so the stakes are higher than ever before for the two to make things work.

The network also unveiled a slate of news series, and renewals for "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory," "Nitro Circus," "Rand Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" and "Run's House."

What do you all think? Are you in the mood for more Cavallari?

-- Denise Martin

Photo: MTV

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag did not attend NBC's summer press day today to promote "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" perhaps because they're getting married this weekend.

Or perhaps because former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's presence threatened to upstage them. And that -- as fans of "The Hills," Perez Hilton's dispatches on them and the entire Speidiverse know -- cannot happen.

So I e-mailed Spencer to ask for an on-the-record comment about "I'm a Celebrity," or anything else he wanted to say.

He responded immediately. "Help me coming up with your dream quote for print and its all yours!!!"

Spencer still cares about print! It's gratifying.

I then asked him a specific question: What's your strategy for winning over America since the public votes?

Spencer e-mailed back adding four new people to the cc list (I've edited for spelling because he was responding on Blackberry): "Team, what's my brilliant response about the American public wanting me to stay in the jungle being tortured by NBC producers with eating live creatures and having to sleep on the jungle floor for as long as possible in one quick soundbyte for the greatest writer/editor in history! My good friend Kate Arthur [Note: It's Aurthur!] who will be attending the Speidi wedding tomorrow."

This is a thoroughly modern wedding invitation if I've ever seen one.

Fifty-two minutes later, one of the cc'd people, from the public relations firm of Cohn & Wolfe, wrote:

"Here is Spencer’s response to your question about 'his strategy for winning over America' in the new show:

'This is nothing new to me; I'm tortured everyday by every entertainment show, tabloid, Web site and blog known to man. To me, it's a vacation in Costa Rica. I just hope America let's me stay long enough to get a tan.'"

I thanked them.

Spencer then wrote back: "Do you think that's good enough? There are so many great angles, help us Kate. I want a legendary first quote about this show!"

Spencer, with a smile on your face, you continue to show us how the machine works in the Celebrity Industrial Complex. We thank you.

-- Kate Aurthur

Photo: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

The cast of NBC's rebooted version of "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" will be announced Friday morning. But the names of a number of contestants — and one wannabe contestant, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — are already out there. Even though it's top secret.

Predictably, it has been the publicity-lovin' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt — the happy "Hills" couple —who will reportedly be on the show, who have most egregiously laughed in the face of the NBC embargo. By posting "hints" of their whereabouts today on their Twitter feeds.

When we say hints, we mean things such as these:

heidimontag: getting ready for NBC promos!

And later:

heidimontag: just finished filming NBC promos! we were flying!!!! crazy

Spencer, meanwhile, was much sneakier:

spencerpratt: Speidi trailer on set of top secret shoot! More details to come!

(There was a link to this photo.)

An NBC rep, when asked about these "leaks," wrote, "No one is officially confirmed."

— Kate Aurthur

We didn't make "The Hills" Tuesday night session at PaleyFest — but those who did reported the big news: Spencer Pratt will finally confess to spreading the sex tape rumors about Lauren Conrad and ex Jason Wahler, the very rumor that ended the best-friendship between Conrad and his fiancee, Heidi Montag. 

Reports THR.com: "We actually have it on tape," Conrad told the crowd. "He takes responsibility and apologizes for it."

But since Conrad has said publicly that she won't be attending the Speidi nuptials, we're guessing she did not accept.

Elsewhere during the night, Conrad said things with Heidi have reached a point where they can now "be in the same room." (She told us earlier that certain circumstances — read: Spencer — will prevent them from ever really reconciling.) MTV exec Liz Gateley defended the cast's intelligence, saying, “These folks do talk about a lot of intelligent things — like global warming — we just don’t show that on the show.” And producers remain "in talks" about a sixth season sans Conrad.

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

Finally, someone who knows what we want! If we all know life is but a stage on the reality of "The Hills," at least Kelly Cutrone plays her part with some gusto. Oh, the kids around her are working equally hard to drum up the drama -- two words about next week's episode: couples' therapy! -- demonstrating that they can carry on their cues without Lauren. But only Cutrone makes us eager for more. To recap:

The top of the episode begins with some sibling rivalry because Spencer's drama means always having to feud with someone. Stephanie pays him a visit, and he tells her her hat makes her look like a train conductor. Stephanie retaliates by telling him Heidi's been hanging out with an ex-boyfriend in Colorado. Spencer says he’s going to start cruising for girls too.

Remember Lauren has a job at People's Revolution? She stops in just long enough to let boss woman Kelly tell her they need an intern to replace Whitney, who's gone on to bigger, better intern-like jobs in New York. Before Lauren can say a word, Kelly warns her to be careful whom she refers. Suddenly, I want to hit fast-forward for the next scene with Kelly and Lauren's sure-to-be referral, Stephanie.

But first, Lauren and Stephanie go out for food. Lauren’s really hungry, and Stephanie asks if Lauren feels pressure to stay thin in L.A. “That’s what baggy shirts are for,” she says. (Lauren tries to keep it real: her clothing line is full of baggy shirts and dresses.) Anyways, Lauren mentions a job opening. "How does one apply for People’s Revolution?" Stephanie wonders.  “I’m sure 100 people want that job.” Lauren looks wary but says she can get Stephanie an interview.

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

Spencer Pratt shows us how it's done

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag did not attend NBC's summer press day today to promote "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" perhaps because they're getting married this weekend.

Or perhaps because former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's presence threatened to upstage them. And that -- as fans of "The Hills," Perez Hilton's dispatches on them and the entire Speidiverse know -- cannot happen.

So I e-mailed Spencer to ask for an on-the-record comment about "I'm a Celebrity," or anything else he wanted to say.

He responded immediately. "Help me coming up with your dream quote for print and its all yours!!!"

Spencer still cares about print! It's gratifying.

I then asked him a specific question: What's your strategy for winning over America since the public votes?

Spencer e-mailed back adding four new people to the cc list (I've edited for spelling because he was responding on Blackberry): "Team, what's my brilliant response about the American public wanting me to stay in the jungle being tortured by NBC producers with eating live creatures and having to sleep on the jungle floor for as long as possible in one quick soundbyte for the greatest writer/editor in history! My good friend Kate Arthur [Note: It's Aurthur!] who will be attending the Speidi wedding tomorrow."

This is a thoroughly modern wedding invitation if I've ever seen one.

Fifty-two minutes later, one of the cc'd people, from the public relations firm of Cohn & Wolfe, wrote:

"Here is Spencer’s response to your question about 'his strategy for winning over America' in the new show:

'This is nothing new to me; I'm tortured everyday by every entertainment show, tabloid, Web site and blog known to man. To me, it's a vacation in Costa Rica. I just hope America let's me stay long enough to get a tan.'"

I thanked them.

Spencer then wrote back: "Do you think that's good enough? There are so many great angles, help us Kate. I want a legendary first quote about this show!"

Spencer, with a smile on your face, you continue to show us how the machine works in the Celebrity Industrial Complex. We thank you.

-- Kate Aurthur

Photo: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

The cast of NBC's rebooted version of "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" will be announced Friday morning. But the names of a number of contestants — and one wannabe contestant, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — are already out there. Even though it's top secret.

Predictably, it has been the publicity-lovin' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt — the happy "Hills" couple —who will reportedly be on the show, who have most egregiously laughed in the face of the NBC embargo. By posting "hints" of their whereabouts today on their Twitter feeds.

When we say hints, we mean things such as these:

heidimontag: getting ready for NBC promos!

And later:

heidimontag: just finished filming NBC promos! we were flying!!!! crazy

Spencer, meanwhile, was much sneakier:

spencerpratt: Speidi trailer on set of top secret shoot! More details to come!

(There was a link to this photo.)

An NBC rep, when asked about these "leaks," wrote, "No one is officially confirmed."

— Kate Aurthur

We didn't make "The Hills" Tuesday night session at PaleyFest — but those who did reported the big news: Spencer Pratt will finally confess to spreading the sex tape rumors about Lauren Conrad and ex Jason Wahler, the very rumor that ended the best-friendship between Conrad and his fiancee, Heidi Montag. 

Reports THR.com: "We actually have it on tape," Conrad told the crowd. "He takes responsibility and apologizes for it."

But since Conrad has said publicly that she won't be attending the Speidi nuptials, we're guessing she did not accept.

Elsewhere during the night, Conrad said things with Heidi have reached a point where they can now "be in the same room." (She told us earlier that certain circumstances — read: Spencer — will prevent them from ever really reconciling.) MTV exec Liz Gateley defended the cast's intelligence, saying, “These folks do talk about a lot of intelligent things — like global warming — we just don’t show that on the show.” And producers remain "in talks" about a sixth season sans Conrad.

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

Finally, someone who knows what we want! If we all know life is but a stage on the reality of "The Hills," at least Kelly Cutrone plays her part with some gusto. Oh, the kids around her are working equally hard to drum up the drama -- two words about next week's episode: couples' therapy! -- demonstrating that they can carry on their cues without Lauren. But only Cutrone makes us eager for more. To recap:

The top of the episode begins with some sibling rivalry because Spencer's drama means always having to feud with someone. Stephanie pays him a visit, and he tells her her hat makes her look like a train conductor. Stephanie retaliates by telling him Heidi's been hanging out with an ex-boyfriend in Colorado. Spencer says he’s going to start cruising for girls too.

Remember Lauren has a job at People's Revolution? She stops in just long enough to let boss woman Kelly tell her they need an intern to replace Whitney, who's gone on to bigger, better intern-like jobs in New York. Before Lauren can say a word, Kelly warns her to be careful whom she refers. Suddenly, I want to hit fast-forward for the next scene with Kelly and Lauren's sure-to-be referral, Stephanie.

But first, Lauren and Stephanie go out for food. Lauren’s really hungry, and Stephanie asks if Lauren feels pressure to stay thin in L.A. “That’s what baggy shirts are for,” she says. (Lauren tries to keep it real: her clothing line is full of baggy shirts and dresses.) Anyways, Lauren mentions a job opening. "How does one apply for People’s Revolution?" Stephanie wonders.  “I’m sure 100 people want that job.” Lauren looks wary but says she can get Stephanie an interview.

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

Heidi and Spencer Twitter 'I'm a Celebrity' promo shoot

The cast of NBC's rebooted version of "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" will be announced Friday morning. But the names of a number of contestants — and one wannabe contestant, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — are already out there. Even though it's top secret.

Predictably, it has been the publicity-lovin' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt — the happy "Hills" couple —who will reportedly be on the show, who have most egregiously laughed in the face of the NBC embargo. By posting "hints" of their whereabouts today on their Twitter feeds.

When we say hints, we mean things such as these:

heidimontag: getting ready for NBC promos!

And later:

heidimontag: just finished filming NBC promos! we were flying!!!! crazy

Spencer, meanwhile, was much sneakier:

spencerpratt: Speidi trailer on set of top secret shoot! More details to come!

(There was a link to this photo.)

An NBC rep, when asked about these "leaks," wrote, "No one is officially confirmed."

— Kate Aurthur

We didn't make "The Hills" Tuesday night session at PaleyFest — but those who did reported the big news: Spencer Pratt will finally confess to spreading the sex tape rumors about Lauren Conrad and ex Jason Wahler, the very rumor that ended the best-friendship between Conrad and his fiancee, Heidi Montag. 

Reports THR.com: "We actually have it on tape," Conrad told the crowd. "He takes responsibility and apologizes for it."

But since Conrad has said publicly that she won't be attending the Speidi nuptials, we're guessing she did not accept.

Elsewhere during the night, Conrad said things with Heidi have reached a point where they can now "be in the same room." (She told us earlier that certain circumstances — read: Spencer — will prevent them from ever really reconciling.) MTV exec Liz Gateley defended the cast's intelligence, saying, “These folks do talk about a lot of intelligent things — like global warming — we just don’t show that on the show.” And producers remain "in talks" about a sixth season sans Conrad.

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

Finally, someone who knows what we want! If we all know life is but a stage on the reality of "The Hills," at least Kelly Cutrone plays her part with some gusto. Oh, the kids around her are working equally hard to drum up the drama -- two words about next week's episode: couples' therapy! -- demonstrating that they can carry on their cues without Lauren. But only Cutrone makes us eager for more. To recap:

The top of the episode begins with some sibling rivalry because Spencer's drama means always having to feud with someone. Stephanie pays him a visit, and he tells her her hat makes her look like a train conductor. Stephanie retaliates by telling him Heidi's been hanging out with an ex-boyfriend in Colorado. Spencer says he’s going to start cruising for girls too.

Remember Lauren has a job at People's Revolution? She stops in just long enough to let boss woman Kelly tell her they need an intern to replace Whitney, who's gone on to bigger, better intern-like jobs in New York. Before Lauren can say a word, Kelly warns her to be careful whom she refers. Suddenly, I want to hit fast-forward for the next scene with Kelly and Lauren's sure-to-be referral, Stephanie.

But first, Lauren and Stephanie go out for food. Lauren’s really hungry, and Stephanie asks if Lauren feels pressure to stay thin in L.A. “That’s what baggy shirts are for,” she says. (Lauren tries to keep it real: her clothing line is full of baggy shirts and dresses.) Anyways, Lauren mentions a job opening. "How does one apply for People’s Revolution?" Stephanie wonders.  “I’m sure 100 people want that job.” Lauren looks wary but says she can get Stephanie an interview.

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

'The Hills': Spencer confesses to spreading the sex tape rumor

We didn't make "The Hills" Tuesday night session at PaleyFest — but those who did reported the big news: Spencer Pratt will finally confess to spreading the sex tape rumors about Lauren Conrad and ex Jason Wahler, the very rumor that ended the best-friendship between Conrad and his fiancee, Heidi Montag. 

Reports THR.com: "We actually have it on tape," Conrad told the crowd. "He takes responsibility and apologizes for it."

But since Conrad has said publicly that she won't be attending the Speidi nuptials, we're guessing she did not accept.

Elsewhere during the night, Conrad said things with Heidi have reached a point where they can now "be in the same room." (She told us earlier that certain circumstances — read: Spencer — will prevent them from ever really reconciling.) MTV exec Liz Gateley defended the cast's intelligence, saying, “These folks do talk about a lot of intelligent things — like global warming — we just don’t show that on the show.” And producers remain "in talks" about a sixth season sans Conrad.

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

— Denise Martin

Related:
Lauren Conrad looks beyond 'The Hills'
Lauren Conrad's final words

Photo credit: MTV.com

Finally, someone who knows what we want! If we all know life is but a stage on the reality of "The Hills," at least Kelly Cutrone plays her part with some gusto. Oh, the kids around her are working equally hard to drum up the drama -- two words about next week's episode: couples' therapy! -- demonstrating that they can carry on their cues without Lauren. But only Cutrone makes us eager for more. To recap:

The top of the episode begins with some sibling rivalry because Spencer's drama means always having to feud with someone. Stephanie pays him a visit, and he tells her her hat makes her look like a train conductor. Stephanie retaliates by telling him Heidi's been hanging out with an ex-boyfriend in Colorado. Spencer says he’s going to start cruising for girls too.

Remember Lauren has a job at People's Revolution? She stops in just long enough to let boss woman Kelly tell her they need an intern to replace Whitney, who's gone on to bigger, better intern-like jobs in New York. Before Lauren can say a word, Kelly warns her to be careful whom she refers. Suddenly, I want to hit fast-forward for the next scene with Kelly and Lauren's sure-to-be referral, Stephanie.

But first, Lauren and Stephanie go out for food. Lauren’s really hungry, and Stephanie asks if Lauren feels pressure to stay thin in L.A. “That’s what baggy shirts are for,” she says. (Lauren tries to keep it real: her clothing line is full of baggy shirts and dresses.) Anyways, Lauren mentions a job opening. "How does one apply for People’s Revolution?" Stephanie wonders.  “I’m sure 100 people want that job.” Lauren looks wary but says she can get Stephanie an interview.

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

'The Hills': Kelly Cutrone tears into Stephanie, Spencer gets 'caught'

Finally, someone who knows what we want! If we all know life is but a stage on the reality of "The Hills," at least Kelly Cutrone plays her part with some gusto. Oh, the kids around her are working equally hard to drum up the drama -- two words about next week's episode: couples' therapy! -- demonstrating that they can carry on their cues without Lauren. But only Cutrone makes us eager for more. To recap:

The top of the episode begins with some sibling rivalry because Spencer's drama means always having to feud with someone. Stephanie pays him a visit, and he tells her her hat makes her look like a train conductor. Stephanie retaliates by telling him Heidi's been hanging out with an ex-boyfriend in Colorado. Spencer says he’s going to start cruising for girls too.

Remember Lauren has a job at People's Revolution? She stops in just long enough to let boss woman Kelly tell her they need an intern to replace Whitney, who's gone on to bigger, better intern-like jobs in New York. Before Lauren can say a word, Kelly warns her to be careful whom she refers. Suddenly, I want to hit fast-forward for the next scene with Kelly and Lauren's sure-to-be referral, Stephanie.

But first, Lauren and Stephanie go out for food. Lauren’s really hungry, and Stephanie asks if Lauren feels pressure to stay thin in L.A. “That’s what baggy shirts are for,” she says. (Lauren tries to keep it real: her clothing line is full of baggy shirts and dresses.) Anyways, Lauren mentions a job opening. "How does one apply for People’s Revolution?" Stephanie wonders.  “I’m sure 100 people want that job.” Lauren looks wary but says she can get Stephanie an interview.

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

‘The Hills’: Heidi and Spencer lobby hard to star in post-Lauren ‘Hills’

It gets so hard to write about “The Hills.” Last Friday, a mere four days ago, Heidi happily told MTV News that the series didn’t need Lauren Conrad. “We don’t need her,” she said. “She’s gotta leave the dramas to the pros.”

So it’s with an admittedly wary -- and weary -- eye that I watched the show’s fifth season premiere, in which Heidi made yet another attempt to get back in the good graces of Lauren, crashing her birthday and causing a scene that elicited sympathy -- albeit, alcohol-fueled sympathy, more on that in a sec -- from her former best friend.

From the opening song -- Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You,” natch -- to Heidi’s awkward entrance on the boat, we’re supposed to be rooting for her. Her dignity is long gone, and no one can say she isn’t working hard for that money. But how do we root for her with this amount of transparency? She doesn't really care about Lauren. She cares about making "The Hills" successful with or without her.

Heidi and Spencer's attempts to make headlines used to be amusing, and now they just make me squirm. 

When Heidi is hit mid-episode with “news” that Spencer is chatting up a bartender behind her back -- he’s working hard, too! -- the overly empathetic Lauren can’t help but give her nipped and tucked costar a hug. (A colleague of mine likes to say she’s too full of pathos and I’m inclined now to agree.) Lauren’s had a few drinks at this point but sums up their conundrum nicely: “The person you love? I don’t think he’s nice … I don’t like him, but I still love you. But I can’t be a half-friend to you. … Maybe we have a drink and go from there.” A few drinks later and Heidi even gets a goodbye hug. It was touching if you wanted it to be -- and at this point, you gotta buy into it all if you're still watching "The Hills." Maybe this was the re-start of a beautiful friendship.

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

'The Hills': Would you keep watching without Lauren Conrad?

 

Tissues ready, people. We're less than a week away from the fifth season premiere of "The Hills," and from the looks of it, it's going to be a weepy farewell for star Lauren Conrad. 

We've had our issues with LC over the years, between her inability to choose both boys and buds, but she's also suffered for our entertainment too, hasn't she? Her breakup with "Laguna Beach" beau-turned-jailbird Jason. Brody's betrayal with Jen Bunney. The rise of Spencer, Heidi and the sex tape rumor. Audrina's bizarro accusation that she'd had a fling with Justin Bobby. (Justin Bobby!)

Without LC there, at the center, emoting, "The Hills" very well may have gone the way of other "Laguna Beach" copycats MTV once trotted out, such as "Newport Harbor," "Twentyfourseven," "Maui Fever"....

But even with her exit locked, the network isn't calling curtains just yet. No one at MTV is saying this is the final season of "The Hills" -- and there's long been discussion about a series project centered on tabloid darlings Heidi and Spencer -- and that begs the question: Would you keep tuning in if the show went on without Lauren? If instead we followed the remaining seven cast members (pictured above)? Curious minds want to know:

Lauren's final call on "The Hills" begins Monday, April 6, at 10 p.m. on MTV.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Heidi's new single "Look How I'm Doing"
New photos of "The Hills" cast
'The Hills' has eyes

Photos: Miranda Penn Turin / MTV.com

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV

Fifth season of 'The Hills' returns March 30, may not be its last

Lauren Conrad may be leaving "The Hills," but that may not mean the end of the show.

An insider is now saying MTV is contemplating continuing the series with the existing cast of glam Angelenos -- Audrina, Brody, Heidi, Spencer, et al -- sans Conrad.

Her final 10-episode fifth season -- yes, MTV has now nixed calling the last batch "bonus episodes" -- is set to return on March 30 at 10 p.m.

How "The Hills" goes on without her is anyone's guess. Conrad, after all, has been the center of all things "Hills," getting romanced, backstabbed by her friends, reunited with old ones and disappointed by all, over the course of the last four seasons.

Then again, Heidi and Spencer work overtime to make sure the series has stayed in the headlines, and it's not unthinkable to imagine the show re-focused on them. Audrina and Justin Bobby? Not so much.

Whatever the case, "The Hills" will undoubtedly send Conrad off with a fond farewell.

"Fans first fell in love with Lauren when she was just 17 years old and a high school senior in Laguna Beach," executive producer Liz Gately told us. "For the five years that followed, Lauren allowed MTV to follow every aspect of her incredible journey in life. We watched her grow into an adult on 'The Hills,' from her first real love to finding a career in fashion to difficult times when friendships unraveled. It is bittersweet, but I understand why she is saying goodbye.

"I will be forever grateful for all that she shared with us and am incredibly proud of the television we made together."

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky / MTV