Happy child labor day, folks!

To explode the myth that fame and wealth always walk hand in hand, you need only look as far as Honey Boo Boo Child. According to the Hollywood Reporter,  the family of seven-year-old Alana Thompson -- the hottest reality star of the moment -- earned only $40,000 from the first season of TLC's "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo."

Bing: More about Honey Boo Boo Child | Also: Who is this reality TV star?

That's $10,000 less per year than the average annual teaching salary in the family's home state of Georgia.

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Yet "Honey Boo Boo" earned three million viewers for its Aug. 29 episode alone, eclipsing not only "Toddlers & Tiaras" -- the show from which it spun off -- but every single network's coverage of the Republican National Convention.

Of course, there are always the negotiations for next season.

"Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.

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The reality star joined the "Real Housewives of Orange County" during the third season, which allowed her to watch the drama and gossip unfold on TV before jumping into the fray herself. In an interview with Emme magazine, Barney describes the unusual way "Housewives" producers hired her for the program.

Bing: More about Tamra Barney | 'The Real Housewives of Orange County'

She explains, "It was a freak thing, and I still don’t understand why I was picked. I jokingly filled out an online application that my friend sent to me, not thinking for one second they would call me. I was totally obnoxious (mocking the show). We were both were laughing at my answers. I didn’t send any pictures and didn’t show up to the casting call in Newport (California). So when they called me a few days later, I almost dropped the phone."

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The joke clearly became a more serious situation for Barney, who spent the next month interviewing for the casting staff, and was eventually hired to join the show. She decided to give in to the show she once mocked, and admits, "Everything happens for a reason… here goes another chapter in my life... you can’t beat getting paid for being yourself."

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After spending 10 years on the CW's hit modelling competition, the famed photographer was fired from "America's Next Top Model" in April, along with other fan favorites Jay Manuel and J. Alexander, as part of a major show revamp. Although many fans lashed out at Banks for cutting the program's staple judges, Barker insists they are still on good terms.

Bing: More about Nigel Barker | 'America's Next Top Model'

He shares his sympathy for the supermodel and explains to Page Six Magazine, "I know it was tough on Tyra as well. It’s never easy to fire someone, least of all, of course, a friend. At the same time, this is business and things change. She’s a good girl, a strong woman, and she’s done a lot with her life."

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Barker, who was featured for 18 seasons on the series, insists that he will still watch Banks on the 19th cycle, but will continue to move forward with the next journey in his career. He adds, "It’s a great show. The bottom line is, I’m happy for her, and we’re (with wife Crissy) onto bigger and better things ourselves. We’re excited for the next chapter in all our lives." The former model has signed on to continue his reality TV stint as a host on supermodel Naomi Campbell's new show, "The Face," which pits aspiring models against each other for the grand prize of becoming the face of a major brand.

"America's Next Top Model: College Edition" airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CW.

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Sharon Osbourne has revealed that her former rival Simon Cowell reached out to her when her son Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Earlier this year, the reality TV matriarch attacked the music mogul for negative comments he made about her.

Bing: More about Sharon Osbourne | Simon Cowell

But after a touching gesture on Cowell's behalf, the bickering pals have made up. In June, Osbourne's son Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and in the midst of an outpouring of support from friends and fans, it came as a shock when Cowell contacted her.

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The "America's Got Talent" judge reveals, "One of the first people to reach out to me when Jack was diagnosed with MS was Simon. And that meant very much to me. Because it meant maybe he loves me, just a little bit ... We're like brother and sister. We row, then we make up. We love each other, then we fight, then we love each other, then we fight." The pair is on such amicable terms that Cowell has hired Osbourne to return to the UK version of "The X Factor," after she sat at the judges' table for the first four seasons. She joins panelist Louis Walsh for the judges' house rounds in Las Vegas this series.

"The X Factor" premieres Wednesday, Sept .12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

Jordin Sparks has thrown her support behind Nicki Minaj in the race for a seat on the "American Idol" panel.

Bing: More about Jordin Sparks | 'American Idol'

Producers behind the hit TV talent show are currently searching for a panelist to join newcomer Mariah Carey for the next season following the departures of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Minaj is rumored to be in contention for the coveted job, and the show's former winner Sparks is convinced the rapper would make a great judge.

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She tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, "I think Nicki would be great. It would be so fun to see what she does because she's so unpredictable. I met her the other day, and she is so sweet." Sparks is also a fan of another potential panelist --country singer Keith Urban. She adds, "I think it would be cool to bring somebody with a country flair who has that experience."

"American Idol" returns in January 2013 on FOX.

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MTV bosses confirmed on Thursday that the upcoming season of "Jersey Shore "would be the last. After six seasons, cast changes, foreign travel, and of course, incessant partying, the eight MTV stars said goodbye to where it all began when production ended early this summer.

Bing: More about Pauly D | 'Jersey Shore'

In an interview with MTV News, Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio said that the very last day proved to be extremely difficult and everyone had a hard time letting go of their life on the shore. He explained, "Everybody teared up, production teared up, we teared up, we couldn't believe it, I can't picture not going back to Seaside for the summertime. I feel like it's home."

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Although the show originally threw these virtual strangers in a beach house together, DelVecchio insists that the last season is the best by far, showing that they're leaving not just as friends, but as family. He shared, "I'm excited. It was probably one of my favorite seasons to film. It was so cool because a lot of things are different now, with Snooki being pregnant, Mike (Sorrentino) just getting out of rehab, but how we deal with that and how we all come together as a family, that was the best part about it."

The sixth and final season of "Jersey Shore" begins Thursday, Oct. 4, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.