So I just finished watching the debut of Dancing With the Stars. I saw a bit of the last season, and I really didn't like it. But as far as reality shows go, my dislike was nothing out of the ordinary.
However, I have two reasons for watching this season: the first being Mark Cuban. Cuban is an interesting guy. I don't follow his adventures in the sports world, but I like his blog and think some of his posts are right on the mark (no pun intended). Obviously, I don't agree with everything he says but I like alternative points of view. It will be interesting to see him on the show. He certainly doesn't fit in with the other male contestants — but I guess if he enjoys himself that's all that matters. The second, being Josie Maran — for obvious reasons.
Bureaucratic Innovation
I think the biggest problem with reality TV at the moment is lack of originality. Every show is either a direct copy or a "rhyme" of another (usually successful) show. Is it because the networks are too afraid to take a chance on something new? Or have the creators/writers truly run out of ideas? I have the tendency to believe it's the former rather than the latter. And that's just one reason why eyeballs are moving away from traditional media sources and on to new media. More original, more creative content. If and when the big guys do get it right (it happens every once in a while), they have the talent and the resources to do a fantastic job.
Outside the bureaucracy of the large content generators, it's easy and cheap to try new things. Throw it out there, quickly gauge the public's response, and either make the necessary adjustments or continue to expand the content. Maximum tinkering and survival in small niches of content on The Long Tail. In my opinion, a combination of both these features — being nimble/innovative and having the resources of a large content generator — would produce the best results (another reason why Google (GOOG) is so successful).