Whether it’s “The Bachelorette” on ABC, “The Osbournes” and the “Real World” on MTV, or CBS’s “Survivor,” it seems as though every television network has its own reality show these days.

Even the WB channel has capitalized on the reality series market with “Surreal Life,” a concept combining MTV’s “Real World,” where seven people live in a house and have their lives taped, but instead of filming common folk the network has rounded up seven C-List actors along with popular musicians including Corey Feldman, Vince Neil, MC Hammer and Emmanuel Lewis who live together in a Hollywood Hills mansion.

The Fox network is certainly no different with its latest pet project”Joe Millionaire,” a seven-episode series fusing elements of its controversial 2000 special “Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?” with ABC’s “The Bachelor.”

Hundreds of women living all over the country vied for a spot on “Joe Millionaire” and, in the end, show producers selected 20 women, one of whom is Hermosa Beach resident Erica Schmoyer.

“I guess I’m the total package,” said Schmoyer jokingly. “I think they picked me because I’m a well-rounded person who is strong, cute, independent and intelligent.”

Schmoyer tried out for a spot on the show after her roommate, who tried out for “The Bachelor” but didn’t make it, convinced her. The interview process took close to two months and included a medical exam, a psychological evaluation, a background check and a casting call. Schmoyer had to complete a 27-page application and a 600-answer questionnaire. She then had to sign a contract outlining very specific provisions mostly focused on confidentiality and disclosure.

“It was intimidating when I had to sign the contract,” she said. “It was very specific, and basically the network owned you and whatever you said or wrote down could be used on camera. It’s not at all reality TV.”

Schmoyer, 32, who is a physical therapist, has lived in Hermosa Beach for the past five years. She grew up all over the world as the daughter of an officer in the military. She spent seven years living in Europe and her mother, who is originally from Italy, travels back quite often with the family. She received two master’s degrees from the University of St. Augustine and Florida State in physical therapy and a field related to it, respectively.

Fox producers whisked away the group of participants to France for a show they called “The Big Choice.”

The 20 single women arrived in the foreign country where they were then told the young handsome American man who will be the object of their affection is worth $50 million.

The twist: The man, Evan Marriott, is actually a construction worker with an annual income of $19,000. Marriott is required to eliminate participants and as the show continues, the pool of 20 lovely candidates progressively shrinks for Marriott in search of his dream girl.

“From talking to him he seemed sincere,” Schmoyer said. “He’s very attractive, athletic, cordial, sweet and composed. I think each girl went after him for different reasons.”

Marriott eliminated Schmoyer along with seven other women in the first episode. They all then spent the next two weeks in a hotel in France, with all expenses paid by Fox including a $50 daily stipend.

“I got to vacation in France for a month for free,” said Schmoyer. “I’m glad I was eliminated because those other girls who lasted until the end have more time on camera which means they have more air time and the network has more stuff on them which could mean more bad publicity.”

The last girls standing attempt to win Marriott’s affection as he gives the losing women jewelry of escalating value.

The real payoff comes in the final episode, when the fake millionaire chooses the one woman with whom he wants to have a relationship. If the woman agrees to continue the relationship, Marriott is forced to come clean.

“I got such a positive experience from the show and I would do it again if I had the opportunity. I was not disappointed he didn’t pick me. He’s not my type. He’s actually 180 degrees from my ex-boyfriend so I guess he would have been my type before my ex-boyfriend.”

The women who were picked work in all types of professional fields. Some of the occupations include a doctor, a loan officer, a banker, a flight attendant, a teacher, a secretary and a computer specialist.

Attracting 18.6 million viewers in its first episode, “Joe Millionaire” garnered the highest-rated series kickoff on any network thus far in this year’s season among the 18-to-49-year-old segment.

“I’ve been recognized on the street which is exciting but there are some girls on the show who have been tracked down by strangers who somehow got their phone numbers or addresses which is scary,” said Schmoyer.

The show outperformed the series premieres of every recent reality show, including the original “Survivor” first debuting in 2000 and “The Bachelor.”

About six Fox executives knew of the project’s existence. The show was shot under its code name “The Big Choice” to further throw off competitors. Most of the production crew in France had no idea what they were really shooting, nor did the butler hired to serve as Marriott’s assistant.

“Yes, of course, I think you can find love on television, I think you can find love anywhere,” said Schmoyer. “There was competition among the girls even before we met him and I didn’t want to play the game. My heart wasn’t into it, but if my heart was into it, then I would have had him.”

The third episode of “Joe Millionaire” will air Monday, Jan. 20, at 9 p.m. on Fox. Those who missed the first two episodes may watch them in an encore presentation tonight on Fox beginning at 8 p.m.