• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, October 1, 2004

TV programming conditions are becoming unreal on cable networks and television stations as TV distributors look further into the idea of rerunning reality shows.

Twentieth Television is considering selling reruns of its sister company Fox's "The Simple Life," featuring the girl of the moment, Paris Hilton, according to press reports.

It's good news for TV stations and cable networks as it'll cost peanuts per episode, some $200,000 - way less than the $750,000 to $2 million an episode that cable networks or, collectively, TV stations, can typically pay for sitcom reruns such as "Seinfeld" or for old episodes of "Law & Order."

The discount pricing is realistic, since with reality TV we already know the real outcome -- most reality shows are contest-based. But "The Simple Life," is no "Survivor" or "The Apprentice."

"The Simple Life" episodes are more or less self-contained. If anything, it's more like repeating a TV soap opera. Of course, those shows don't really have a good track record when it comes to reruns. Look up "Dallas" and "Knots Landing," and maybe even "thirtysomething" on this one.

FX already airs reruns of NBC's "Fear Factor," but so far, it has received mixed ratings results. Like "The Simple Life," "Fear Factor" is also self-contained for each episode. NBC reruns "Fear Factor" in non-sweep periods and NBC Universal Television Group president Jeff Zucker is always proud to note that its only reality show on network television can handle double duty.

But this is distressing for TV stations and cable networks. Are there really no other alternatives for rerun entertainment? TV schedule executives are reaching in the dregs of the programming barrel.

Network dramas typically work best on cable, but there aren't many dramas left on network TV. Network sitcoms -- long the staple programming for TV stations in early fringe and prime access time periods -- are not what they use to be. There has not been one honest sitcom hit in years, maybe since Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle."

Cable networks have been running their own first-run reality shows. Daytime TV syndication on TV stations airs one reality show, "Starting Over," about a group of women living in a house together.

That's plenty. One time through the real world is enough.