Writers' Strike Deals Strong Dose of Reality

Reality will likely strike primetime TV with a vengeance if stalled talks between screen scribes and networks don't kick into gear, the New York Times reports. With most popular dramas on hiatus for lack of scripts, reality shows are about to explode onto the airwaves—and they may well stick around.

CBS will be doubling its reality slate starting in January, a move that chief exec Leslie Moonves expects will cause a small dip in ratings but a sharp drop in costs. ABC may be launching two more dancing shows, and NBC will be dusting off the "American Gladiators" Atlaspheres. Overall, reality programming is expected to jump by about 50% to 27 hours per week. (More Writers Guild of America stories.)