The Importance of being Amish

 Just when you thought reality TV had run out of crass ideas...

It seems that there are plans for an Amish reality TV series - Amish in the City. The focus would be following several Amish 16 year olds during their "rumspringa" - a period where young Amish folk get to venture out and experiment with the hedonistic pleasures available to modern teenagers such as driving cars, drinking alcohol and even using drugs. Apparently most then return to the Amish fold.

There was a 2002 documentary titled "Devil's Playground" on the Amish practice of rumspringa but obviously this did not tap deeply enough into the commercial potential of Amish teenagers.

UPN is currently looking to cast 5 Amish teens to star in the upcoming series.