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TV snaps back to reality

TV is watching a reality rebound.

Amid declines by many scripted series, ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” returned for an eighth season with 22.8 million viewers, its biggest opening yet. “The Bachelor” finished its highest-rated season since 2003. NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” is up 21 percent, even though it airs opposite reality kingpin “American Idol.” And the season opener of “America’s Next Top Model” topped the CW show’s two previous starts.

Though Idol is down 9 percent, TV’s top show has widened its lead over top scripted series. And CBS’ “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” are down just slightly from recent editions, despite steep declines for dramas such as “Heroes,” “House” and “Lost.” Some say robust reality ratings reflect the sour economy.

“People in a recession era are looking to TV to provide some escapism,” says Victoria Dummer, co-head of ABC’s unscripted programming. She says “The Bachelor” provides familiar “comfort food” that’s “a more easily digestible meal” than some scripted series.

“Dramas are so downbeat and crime-focused that while they offer escapism of a different sort, it’s rarely, if ever, uplifting,” says John Rash of Minneapolis ad firm Campbell Mithun.

NBC reality chief Paul Telegdy chalks up the gains to the after-effects of last winter’s writers’ strike, which crippled series but left unscripted programs intact. “These shows and their stories endured uninterrupted at a time when there was a paucity of scripted content,” he says.

Compelling contestants and expanded “stories” have helped: “Loser” is regularly a two-hour event, building audience throughout the night, and currently ranks as NBC’s top-rated show. “Dancing” and “Idol” air double-length episodes for half their runs, along with weekly results shows.

The added length fills weaker time slots and has “allowed people more time to get attached to the characters,” Dummer says.

ABC did its part: When “Bachelor” (and single dad) Jason Mesnick dumped his chosen one, Melissa Rycroft, for a second-choice pick, Rycroft conveniently resurfaced a week later on “Dancing” as a replacement for one of two injured contestants.