If you’re a celebrity who’s career is washed up, fear not. There might still be a role for you on reality television. That genre has restored the career of many a near-forgotten celebrity and will likely do do so again.

The real money, though, often lies in what comes after. “It’s all about the endorsements and other appearances. There’s a lot of heat coming off that show,” one TV agent said.

Lauren Conrad has gone from nobody to television mega-celebrity by committing her young adult life to video on the MTV series “Laguna Beach” and its follow-up “The Hills.” No longer simply an aspiring fashion designer, she has launched her own clothing line on the back of her cable network visibility.

Her fellow cast members Heidi Montag, Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port have similarly diversified into music, film acting, fashion design, earning themselves millions of dollars in the process.

Even though the money might not be great, the exposure is enough to open the door for higher-paying opportunities. Reality TV is a bridge back to fame.