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Their reality is ours

By ERIC DEGGANS
Published September 10, 2006

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	The small screen never looked so big In today's increasingly wired world, the threats to network television just keep growing. Their reality is ours When it comes to reality TV, fall was once the scarcest time of all. Daytime: a star, a chef and a shrink It sounds like the start to a bad joke, but really those are the highlights from this year's syndicated season, such as it is. When schedules collide: how to keep up We've all been there. Cable: more than the big four Cable TV used to cede the fall season to the networks, but look for some quality programs in the next few weeks. Debuts of new and returning shows Programs marked with an (n) are new series. Network affiliates Here are the Tampa Bay area affiliate stations for the national networks: Sunday schedule A look at Sunday night TV. Monday schedule A look at Monday night TV. Tuesday schedule A look at Tuesday night TV. Wednesday schedule A look at Wednesday night TV. Thursday schedule A look at Thursday night TV. Friday and Saturday schedules A look at Friday and Saturday night TV.

When it comes to reality TV, fall was once the scarcest time of all.

The networks hoped their scripted series would click. Cable channels wanted to keep their best stuff away from the attention that broadcasters were getting.

This fall, plenty of reality programming is on the air. But expect even more as scripted shows begin to fail and networks need to plug leaky schedules. Here is what's on the schedule for reality fans so far, along with premiere dates.

Dancing with the Stars, 8 p.m. Tuesday, ABC: Will multitudes really rush to watch Jerry Springer, Harry Hamlin and Tucker Carlson dance the night away?

Survivor: Cook Islands, 8 p.m. Thursday, CBS: Rumor has it the series' much-ballyhooed division of teams by race reveals more intrateam fighting than racial division.

The Amazing Race, 8 p.m. SUNDAY, Sept. 17, CBS: The same formula in a new time slot: 12 teams traveling 40,000 miles to win $1-million.

Deal or No Deal, 8 p.m. MONDAY, Sept. 18, NBC: NBC courts Millionaire-style burnout by playing its hit game show twice a week.

America's Next Top Model, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, the CW: Crying, confusion and catfights: Expect all three in this modeling competition's seventh iteration.

The Biggest Loser, 9 p.m. WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, NBC: The weight loss competition's third season features a contestant from every state, though the field quickly narrows to 14 in the two-hour premiere.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 8 p.m. SUNDAY, Sept. 24, ABC: Fresh from an Emmy win as best reality program, the series keeps helping families in need.

America's Funniest Home Videos, 7 p.m. SUNDAY, Oct. 1, ABC: Lunkheads tripping and falling and getting hit with stuff is always funny.

The Bachelor: Rome, 9 p.m. MONDAY, Oct. 2, ABC: Italian-American Prince Lorenzo Borghese joins ABC's reality romance contest in his family's homeland.

Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy, 9 p.m. FRIDAY, Oct. 6, Fox: Expect more friction as producers showcase families with religious difference, odd living arrangements and more.

I Pity the Fool, 10 p.m. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 11, TV Land: Mr. T as a motivational counselor, sans gold chains and billed as a "real-life superhero." Really.

Hair Trauma, 10 p.m. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 11, We: The drama behind the life of black hairstylist to the stars Ellin LaVar.

Ice-T's Rap School, 11 p.m. TUESDAY, Oct. 17, VH1: The classic rapper teaches prep school kids how to work the microphone. In return, they teach him how to work a croquet mallet.

Hogan Knows Best, 9 p.m. SUNDAY, Oct. 22, VH1: Ex-Belleair resident Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea brings his family back to reality TV for a third season.

Breaking Bonaduce, 9:30 p.m. SUNDAY, Oct. 22, VH1: For those who thought troubled child star Danny Bonaduce was already broken, he finds new lows in his series' second season premiere.

[Last modified September 7, 2006, 12:55:55]