Reality shows stick to the old and familiar

There have been personnel-related issues on another popular reality show, but these have to do with behind-the-scenes talent.  “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET) will be the very first show to air on The CW, a brand-new network formed from the merger of UPN and The WB. However, the show’s story writers — the people who craft and arrange narratives from the hundreds of hours of footage shot during the competition — were on strike at press time, seeking union representation and benefits. While the network says the show is on track to debut in September, the union supporting the writers says only four episodes had been completed at the time of the walk-out.

Spouses who want to walk out of their homes (temporarily) will get even more chances as ABC brings “Wife Swap” back (Mondays at 8 p.m. ET) and FOX returns its copycat version “Trading Spouses” (Fridays at 9 p.m. ET) to the fall schedule. And those families with problem children will get help on “Nanny 911” (FOX, Fridays at 8 p.m. ET).

If those shows don’t offer enough dysfunctional family fun, cable networks will come to the rescue. The Carters — Backstreet Boy Nick and his family — will star in “House of Carters” (E!, October), showing us just what their lives are like. And “Committed: The Christies” (BET, October) will follow NBA star Doug Christie and his wife Jackie, whose “relationship is one that will keep viewers mystified, entertained and in awe,” according to BET.

Also on cable, the third season of “Laguna Beach” already has debuted on MTV. It features an entirely brand-new, telegenic cast of rich high schoolers who comprise at least two different cliques.  Despite the fact that the cast is all new, it feels oh-so-familiar, just like the rest of fall’s reality TV offerings, firmly establishing this set of reality shows as our national comfort foods.

Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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