I recently read an article about teh effects of "reality shows" on television. Some quality shows, such as "The Unit" on CBS and "Trauma" on NBC (don't argue about the quality comment, I'm just paraphrasing the article) are being killed by the networks because production costs for a location show with an ensemble cast, featuring expensive special effects, are simply higher than the network is willing to pay, when shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol" dominate the ratings (and gather the most avdertising dollars). How many hour long non-reality shows are still on television these days? Fewer all the time. Sit-coms and reality crap. As for me, I'm enjoying old shows on Hulu and DVD more and more.
And, as for the "survival" shows, add my vote for Les. Yeah, he may not be at risk of starving, but at least he puts himself in harm's way for a week to show some good techniques. Bear lost me, even for entertainment laughs, when he gave himself the enema... At least Les gives good advice like "when the rescue helicoptes sees you, stay put and wait for help to come to you."
