In Britain's latest reality TV series, nine starry-eyed contestants will get intensive astronaut training in Russia before blasting off for a five-day mission orbiting the Earth.

Or so they think. In fact, the "Space Cadets" are victims of one of the most exhaustive hoaxes in TV history.

Britain's Channel 4, which brought the reality TV hit "Big Brother" to the world, is actually taking the would-be space travelers to an abandoned British military base.

"It's incredible the lengths the production team have gone to so that their environment and situation are convincing," said Claudia Christie, a Channel 4 spokeswoman.

Since "Big Brother" started the reality-show trend, many British productions have crossed the Atlantic to become major hits in the United States. The list includes "American Idol," "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," and "The Office."

Some people, though, believe the latest idea goes too far.

"I think ethical questions need to be raised about the idea of duping a group of people into believing they are going into space," said John Beyer, director of the watchdog group Mediawatch UK. "Broadcasters are supposed to be focusing on better programming that elevates our society, and not on tricking people."

But deception is the key to success for the 10-episode series, which is scheduled to begin airing Dec. 7.

For now, the contestants are attending lectures on the science behind space travel presented by physicists -- who are really actors.

Next, they will take a helicopter night flight for two weeks of training at the Space Tourism Agency of Russia. In reality, they will fly for hours over water and unpopulated areas before reaching the disused British military base at a secret location.

The base has been given a Soviet-style makeover with the addition of Russian equipment and even the smells of cooked cabbage. Empty packets of Russian cigarettes have even been strewn by the garbage cans to add authenticity.

Contestants are being told they won't experience weightlessness after the simulated blast-off because they'll be lifted only to a 62-mile "near-space" orbit, not into "deep space."

A giant custom-built video screen outside the shuttle will provide the illusion of looking at Earth from high above.

The final episode of the show will feature host Johnny Vaughan informing contestants they've been the butts of a very expensive and elaborate practical joke.

Channel 4 admits that the whole premise could backfire if the contestants get any inkling they've been duped. And if the hoax is prematurely uncovered? Then Channel 4's viewers will be treated to repeats of "Friends."

(Shelley Emling, Cox News Service)

Holiday TV publishes Friday

Mark your calendars: The Post-Gazette's popular guide to holiday TV programming will publish Friday.

(Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor)

Channel surfing

Pittsburgh native Dennis Miller will host the "Critics' Choice Awards" Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. on The WB. ... Pittsburgher Marilyn McCullough gets the chance to compete on CBS's "The Price Is Right" (11 a.m. Wednesday, KDKA). ... WTAE will pre-empt ABC's "Wife Swap" on Monday for a Steelers pre-game show. "Wife Swap" will air at 2:05 a.m. Wednesday. ... Claudia Black will join the cast of Sci Fi Channel's "Stargate SG-1" as a series regular when it returns next summer for its 10th season. ... The late Peter Jennings' final documentary, "Breakdown -- America's Health Insurance Crisis," will air Dec. 15. It was reported before his lung cancer diagnosis, but Jennings was too ill to narrate the program.

(R.O.)