'Simple Life' is dropped by E! network

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's reality show The Simple Life has been axed by the E! network.

The cable channel's decision was reportedly based on the belief that the socialites' on-air tasks were starting to appear tame in comparison to their recent brushes with the law.

"We felt like the real life drama of their lives overshadowed anything happening on the show," an insider told US Weekly. "Viewers would see Paris all day long on the news about her going to jail, so they didn't care about seeing her camping with kids. It just was too played out."

A spokesperson for the network told Access Hollywood: "Simple Life has been a wonderful addition to the E! schedule for two years and we will always be grateful to Paris and Nicole for their hard work and graciousness."

E! picked up the show in 2005 after it was dropped by the Fox network. Series producers Twentieth Century Fox are reportedly hoping that it will once again be picked up by another network, but Hilton and Richie would be unlikely to appear.