why we watch

i found this latimes article about the falling ratings of reality shows fascinating. apparently reality-based shows are being hard hit:

New York-based ad firm Horizon Media today delivered an analysis of Nielsen Media Research data for broadcast series during the first two months of the TV season, compared with the same period last year. The verdict? Established reality-competition and game shows, including "Dancing With the Stars," "Survivor" and "Deal or No Deal," are suffering a slump almost as bad as the larger economy's

no one knows exactly why, but the article surmises that many shows are old and have run their course, and others have been over-exposed, airing to often. they also offer this explanation:

And what about that economy? Well, hard times may not have any direct effect on what people choose to watch. But there's little doubt that during times of upheaval, viewers' tastes can shift. For example, the deep recession of the early 1980s may have created a fertile environment for the success of nighttime soaps about the treacheries of the rich and infamous, such as "Dynasty" and "Dallas."

this may be closer to the answer. with an election, a war and an economic collapse, there's been plenty of reality tv to go around - much of it far more compelling than any "reality" programming concocted by the networks. so perhaps having being satiated on real reality, folks are less interested in manufactured reality and more interested again in escapist faire.