Pretty Ricky–the hormone-charged R & B outfit who some of you may remember as “those dudes who kept the Shins from hitting No. 1 earlier this year”–is looking for a new member after Pleasure (née Marcus Ramone Cooper) announced his plans for a solo career on the BET Awards’ red carpet a few months back. Like other bands looking for new blood, the remaining Rickys have hit the Web to find their new member, and they’re also hoping to wrangle a reality series out of some writers’-strike-starved network. But it may actually make compelling TV, since the Miami-based now-threesome isn’t looking for someone who can sing as much as it’s looking for someone who can uphold the Pretty Ricky-approved standards of classy interactions with ladies:

“We want to stay true to the sound,” Baby Blue explained. “We’re a hip-hop and R&B group. The three of us rap, and the fourth member has to be a singer just to keep the music consistent.”

If the downsized trio’s plans come to life, their search for a replacement will hit the small screen via a reality series. The group is pitching the plot to several networks. According to Baby Blue, the focus will be on the fit of a new member more than anything.

“It’s more about [whether a new member can] be another brother and just cope with all our family issues or whatever,” Baby Blue said. “And they got to be a woman magnet. They got to know how to deal with these ladies, ’cause that’s one thing we got to do. That’s why the music is all about women, because Pretty Ricky loves the ladies and the ladies love Pretty Ricky.”

Hmm, dealing with the ladies? Well, that probably counts out the furniture-loving boys in Peer Pressure, since they seem to be more into showering their affections on inanimate objects. Although if Pretty Ricky’s “Search For The Next Rick” does get picked up, I’d recommend that they be included in the cast, especially since, with some creative editing, they can provide some go-to comic relief. Witness:

Pretty Ricky’s Only Requirement For A New Member? ‘They Got To Be A Woman Magnet’ [MTV]
Re: Pretty Ricky – Late Night Special [YouTube]
[Photo: Getty]