Is Reality TV Over?

Filed under: FeaturesAs the fall TV season starts, you may notice something you haven't seen so much of in recent years: actors. Apparently, the reality TV boom that began a decade ago is over. Well, sort of.

No less an industry titan than NBC Universal Entertainment Television chairman Jeff Gaspin thinks that reality is all but played out. "I think we've probably exhausted 80 percent of reality," he told the Wall Street Journal. "That doesn't mean there's not another 20 percent to mine and create hits. I just think they're going to be fewer and further between."

Certainly, there will be fewer hours of reality programming on the broadcast networks this fall than in any season since 2005. New reality hits on the networks have been rare, and the reality shows that remain there are showing signs of age. (Exhibit A: The current massive overhaul going on at 'American Idol,' with the all-but-official hirings of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.) Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsTyler Perry Eminem Mariah Carey Soulja Boy