by Victoria Miller

Summer used to be the time of endless television reruns, but ever since the reality TV boom kicked in that has not been the case. In fact, summer is the peak season for fresh new reality shows. And while some are virtually unwatchable, others may actually keep you entertained until the new season of "Lost" starts back up again in the fall. Here's a sampling of some of the latest summer reality shows.

-- "The Real World Austin" (MTV). MTV's latest installment of this long running reality season features another drop-dead gorgeous cast, an arrest on the premiere episode, and the usual antics involving alcohol and sex. If you're a fan of the series, you may think you're watching reruns of last season, but rest assured it's a whole new cast and a new town. Although it airs on MTV, this show is not for kids, that's for sure.

-- "I Want to be a Hilton" (NBC). Paris and Nicky Hilton's mom, Kathy, is the head honcho on this Apprentice-like series. Contestants compete in a variety of uppity challenges, vying for the ultimate prize-- the chance to win a lifestyle just like the Hilton's (okay, it's more like a prize package and a trust fund worth 200 grand). Still, it beats working for The Donald. Repeats of the series air on Bravo.

-- "Average Joe: the Joe's Strike Back" (NBC). I thought this series was cruel the first time around. Ugly duckling "Joe's" compete to win the heart of a gorgeous woman (this time her name is Anna), a woman who is clearly out of their league. Just as the confidence of the Joe's build up, in storm the hunks that will also join the competition. There's always at least one Joe with a heart of gold, and most of the hunks are usually vain and cocky. Now who do you think the gorgeous Anna will pick? My money is on any one of those shallow hunks.

-- "Big Brother 6" (CBS). CBS promises tons of twists and turns on the newest edition of this show. Of course they said that last year, too. The premise of this show is simple-- contestants are holed up together in a house for the entire summer, voting one person out each week. The grand prize for the last man or woman standing is a half million dollars. This year, the secret "twist" is that each house guest will have a secret partner (read: alliance) that they will enter the house with. The real "twist" is that each couple thinks that they are the only secret couple. Well, after last year's bizarre Project DNA twist, how long do you think it will take these people to figure this lame twist out? I hope they have some juicer secrets planned. As usual, the cast looks like a bunch of models. Julie Chen is the host and you can expect a live segment every Thursday night.

-- "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC). Okay, maybe it's just me but I just don't get this series. C-list celebrities (actually, wasn't Trista Rehn a contestant at one point? Better make that D-list celebrities). Bad dancing. Cheesy music. It all adds up to-- summer reality television. Hey, who could ask for more?