Big Boobs, Not Big Budgets Bring Ratings Success For TV
Not that we didn't already know this but reality TV and the notion those chosen to participate in those shows are TV's new ratings capital is explored in a detailed Advertising Age article written by Andrew Hampp.
In the article he examines the success cable TV has had with (cheap) reality programming that focuses on previous unknowns (tather than highly paid actors) who, because of the show, become quite famous. The Kardashians are offered up as the prime example.