Sean Combs' newest TV series gives contestants chance to become his personal assistant

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NEW YORK - Sean Combs aims to conquer the airwaves.

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AP

Sean “Diddy” Combs

His latest series, "I Want to Work for Diddy," premieres Monday on VH1, adding to a pair of Combs-produced reality shows on sister network MTV -- "Run's House" and "Making the Band," which returns Aug. 13.

"It's all part of my strategic plan to take over TV: Diddy TV," he says.

The new show arose from his need for a personal assistant, and a realization that conventional recruitment methods weren't finding the suitable replacement.

He put out the word through the media that he was welcoming candidates. Then he created a competition-style TV series for choosing a winner from 13 finalists vying for the job.

"But the show isn't about just seeing if I could find someone to work for me. It's about people chasing their dreams," he says. "I don't say it in a cocky way, but I take pride in being one of the best at doing what I do," which, of course, encompasses a multi-pronged entertainment empire.

Combs sees himself serving as an inspiration, particularly for young African Americans, "to show them that they can do more things than shoot basketball or rap."

On the series, a panel of judges makes the initial eliminations, Combs says, with him entering the picture toward the finish.