the end of television as we know it?

In theory, I’m on the side of the writers in the current Hollywood War—because I’m pretty much always on the side of writers. However, this strike seems very ill-timed. Scripted television was already in its death throes before. This action just might push it over the edge.

The NYT reports:

As original episodes of scripted comedies and dramas dry up because of the Writers Guild of America strike, reality competitions and game shows are likely to reach record prominence on broadcast television in early 2008. …
Last week, NBC announced a winter schedule weighted with reality programming, including four unscripted premieres in January: an updated version of the athletic challenge “American Gladiators,” a celebrity version of “The Apprentice,” and new seasons of the game show “1 vs. 100” and the weight-loss competition “The Biggest Loser.”

Fox announced a revised spring schedule last month, including the introductions of two reality series and a new season of “American Idol.”

I don’t watch a lot of scripted television—or reality TV either, for that matter—so this doesn’t concern me too much. But doesn’t it feel like everything is changing right under our noses here in the early 21st century?