Mr. T Brands Surreal Life Stars "Washed Up"  9/19/05

Former A-Team star Mr. T has branded the celebrities who agree to appear on hit reality show THE Surreal Life "washed up".

The 53-year-old actor refused to take part in the VH1 show, whose participants have included Verne Troyer, Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen, was offered a part in the series, but immediately turned it down.

He says, "Everybody on that show is through - they're washed up. I told them to give me $5 million and I'd do that show; you don't insult me! They ain't dealing with no fool!"

Instead, Mr T, real name Laurence Tureaud, is preparing to start filming his own show, I Pity the Fool, which he guarantees will provide entertainment a send a message at the same time.

He adds, "My show's not about eating worms or swapping wives. The whole family can sit around and watch this.

"Even though people call this a reality show, this is what I've been doing all my life - going to Iraq and visiting hospitals. I'm going to be a troubleshooter. Like Mission Impossible, we'll pick out certain cases.

"TV has given me an opportunity to help the kids. A lot of times people ask me for an autograph, and I've felt bad because I didn't have a new show. Now I can entertain and also send a message."