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Although it is a culprit in the rise of reality television, PBS tries to offer a historical classroom to modern participants. The network has found success by daring people to live like our forefathers for the series "Colonial House" and "The 1900 House." The latest series requests people to visit England's Regency era.

The Regency era lasted nine years (1811-1820) and was named for the King George IV -- the prince regent who ascended to the British throne. George IV, who took the throne when his father, George III, was declared insane, led his people into a new decadence that promoted fun, frivolity and a bit of immorality.

PBS' "Regency House Party" takes five men and five women to a castle in the English countryside. For nine weeks, they will take part in a special summer house party. The sole purpose of the party is to find prospective mates -- hopefully someone with money and a high position in society.

These people will discover that romance was "a slow dance, played out with courtesy and reverence. Marriage was a business."

The house was stripped of all modern conveniences and equipped with 19th-century trappings, including 12 footmen, 17 maids and 32 chamber pots.

Each participant was provided a history of the character they are to portray in this dating game. Some have money, while others are members of society. Each of the women is escorted by a chaperone, who promises to make the best match for her charge.

The host of the party, and the top marriage prospect, is Chris Gorell Barnes. His rivals include in order of marriage potential: John Everett, a wealthy gentleman; Jeremy Glover, a Royal Navy captain; Paul Robinson, a gentleman soldier; and Mark Foxsmith, an amateur scientist.

The ladies include Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Griaznov, a real-life countess who portrays a Russian countess, the top marriage prospect for gentleman. But she has a secret. She may be of royal blood, but she has no money. Her chaperone is Fiona Rogers, who also serves as hostess of the party for Gorell Barnes. She will run the household with an iron fist, ensuring that everyone remembers their manners and proper Regency protocol.

Victoria Hopkins has a large fortune, but no social standing. Her chaperone, Lady Davenport, will try to make the right society connections for the girl, while doing some flirting for herself. Lisa Braund and Hayley Conick are young women who have neither large fortunes nor society connections. The least fortunate woman is Francesca Martin, who is a ladies companion to Miss Rogers. In other words, Martin is an unpaid servant.

These men and women will don period clothing to live out a time when manners were of the utmost importance, but gaiety was the top objective for young people.

The four-part series will follow these couples to see if a love match can be made, and to see what happens at an unchaperoned masquerade ball.

The restrictions are tough, especially on the women who are expected to spend their days knitting and making themselves pretty for dinner.

"It is the most oppressive thing I've ever done in my life," says Hopkins. "I'm being treated like a little girl."

"Regency House Party" provides information and statistics on the time period, turning the show into a history lesson. It is interesting to watch modern people struggle with the constraints of 19th-century ideology. The social expectations cause more trauma than the lack of a toilet.

There is not much excitement, but the party is worth watching for four episodes.

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