There’s an old adage in Hollywood that says, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” That may not be the case as too much media coverage may spell the end of Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton’s The Simple Life.

E! Networks President and CEO Ted Harbert says that Hilton’s recent legal troubles are having a negative effect on the ratings for Simple Life. “We all thought the publicity would help the show. We were wrong. It’s not doing well,” he said.

Harbert explained that viewers tuned in to The Simple Life because they were interested in seeing Hilton’s private life. Now that Hilton is in the news on a regular basis, Harbert says, “It makes the [Simple Life] seem contrived by comparison.”

The reality show has been on the air for five seasons (three on FOX, the second is finishing on E!) and it’s looking like there won’t be a sixth. Harbert concluded, “I’m not sure we’re going to do any more” and then gave the series a less than 50% chance of continuing. Stay tuned!