Newsgasm: Leonardo DiCaprio pitches a makeover show

Leonardo DiCaprio is returning to television for the first time since Growing Pains, to produce a makeover show. The reality series being pitched to networks and sponsors leaves Ty Pennington in the dust, as Leo and crew set out to transform not one house but an entire town from a “devastated community to a prototype for the future”–and end global warming along the way.

“E-topia” will follow the reconstruction of an American town as it is transformed into a “‘green’ utopia of tomorrow.” The town hasn’t been chosen yet, but the makeover will take months. as “construction workers and laborers unaccustomed to the demands of a ‘green’ lifestyle work with passionate eco-idealists, planners and architects.

Hilarity is bound to ensue!Each episode will have a “call to action,” directing viewers to a website where they can learn more about ecology and find out how to participate in environmental initiatives.

Leo was drawn into the project by Survivor producer Craig Piligian, who got the idea for a global-warming reality series after watching the destruction of New Orleans Al Gore’s movie An Inconvenient Truth. For his name-brand participation, he’ll be rewarded with co-creator and executive producer credits.

Leo’s no piker when it comes to the environment. Back in 2000, he set off tantrums among TV journalists when ABC News sent him to the White House for an Earth Day special and he wound up interviewing President Bill Clinton about the environment (back then, there was still a separation between journalists and celebrities). ABC backtracked and claimed they’d only sent Leo to look at the White House weatherstripping and low-energy lightbulbs. They’ve yet to come up with an excuse for Chris Cuomo.

–Tabloid Baby