No wonder programming execs insist reality is here to stay. The Hollywood Reporter reports that for the week ending July 28, four of the top five and seven of the top 10 shows in 18-49 belonged to the genre, including NBC's "Dog Eat Dog" and "Fear Factor" and CBS' "Big Brother 3." Moreover, every night except Friday offered at least one high-rated reality contender. Even long-suffering ABC is in on the action; its "Mole II: The Next Betrayal" took second place in its time slot (3.5/10) and would almost certainly be doing even better if not scheduled opposite "Idol."

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And with the just-launched "Meet My Folks," NBC has added another layer of competition to the already withering ratings contest for summer reality shows. Last week's Monday premiere of "Folks" -- a kind of real-life "Meet the Parents," complete with polygraph exams -- wedded a 5.5 rating/16 share, tying with Fox's "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" as the top show among viewers 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research figures. While "Folks" went on to slide 38% in its regular Wednesday slot, there's little doubt that the battle over off-season reality is reaching its climax.

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