Which Costs More, Reality TV or Scripted Series?

Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Sandra Oh, Melissa George ABC/ Randy Holmes
More from Ask the Answer Bitch

How much does it cost to produce a reality TV show versus a scripted show? There is some talk that Lipstick Jungle would move to Bravo, but isn't that an expensive show to produce? How much would a show like that cost compared to, say, Project Runway?
—E.G.S.T.

Some shows are so cheap they involve fewer dollars than you have initials. Well, almost. You know that $100,000 contract that McKey Sullivan just won on America's Next Top Model? The money she'll get for gazing up at all those golly-gee tall New York skyscrapers and burbling, "This is my life as a Cover Girl"? She could make one whole reality TV episode with that cash.

"Generally, half-hour reality shows on cable are budgeted in the $100,000 to $500,000 range, per episode," says Hadjii, producer-director of the BET show Somebodies. (Yes, ANTM is one hour, but the models are really skinny, so they probably take up less budget.)

So how about your favorite scripted comedy or drama, like, say, Grey's Anatomy? Well...

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Seven Survivors Remain on Gabon

Survivor: Gabon Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS

The jury had two members, and only eight castaways remained heading into tonight's episode of Survivor: Gabon, which, despite a kinda pathetic start has really been heating up over the last couple of weeks.

With the alliances seemingly cemented, the artistry of playing the game became more important than ever. Find out who rose to the occasion, and who tossed his cookies a hair too soon.

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See Ya Later, Top Chef: Jill Snyder

Jill, Top Chef Bravo/Michael Lavine
More from Marc Malkin

Former Top Chef wannabe Jill Snyder likes to joke that she's going to buy an ostrich farm.

"I'm going to sell ostrich eggs," she cracks.

The 28-year-old chef from Baltimore was eliminated on last night's Top Chef: New York after her ostrich-egg quiche was trashed by diners and the judges. The dish, one diner said, "resembles dog food." And judge Gail Simmons griped, "It just didn’t taste good."

I caught up with Snyder earlier today as she surfed the web reading stories about her downfall. "I'm trying not to read them," she said, "but it's too tempting." 

Keep reading for all the scoop…

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America's Next Top Model Rises

ANTM, Analeigh, Samantha, McKey The CW

It was down to Analeigh Tipton, McKey Sullivan and Samantha Potter—all lovely, leggy and hungry (to win!), but only one could be crowned America's Next Top Model.

A group that had once consisted of 14 wannabes was whittled down to this beauteous trio, one of whose runway-ready walk, chameleonic style, high-fashion potential and Dutch commercial-making prowess was deemed heads above the rest…Right?

Find out which aspiring glamour girl earned that cover spread in Seventeen magazine, a $100,000 CoverGirl contract and representation from Elite Model Management:

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Top Chef: Hot Dogs, Sour Grapes, a Little Bit of Spit

TOP CHEF, Hosea, Tom Colicchio Bravo Photo: Virginia Sherwood

After kicking things off with a hot-dog-making challenge, the chefs got to work in head judge Tom Colicchio's kitchen at Craft, but the results were not always pretty.

Unless it was the Fabio's carpaccio, which looked gorgeous and apparently tasted just as good. And considering the dish had to win over a bunch of disgruntled chefs who'd been rejected from Top Chef, that's saying something.

But the crab salad prepared by Hosea (above) disappointed, as did an ostrich-egg quiche and a dessert that host Padma Lakshmi spit into her napkin. That's something we hope never to see again.

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Lifetime Fashions a Project Runway Suit

Project Runway Judges Barbara Nitke/BRAVO

Lifetime isn't going to just sit and watch Project Runway pass it by.

The female-favoring cable network has filed suit against Bravo parent NBC Universal, which in September successfully blocked Lifetime from going ahead with its planned winter premiere of the Peabody-winning competition series.

Now, of all the fashion faux pas, it's looking as if the show's sixth season won't begin until summer 2009, despite the fact that the entire Los Angeles-set cycle, minus two episodes, has already been shot.

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DWTS Backstage Dirt: Cody Cries! And Derek Disses

DWTS, Cody Linely ABC/KELSEY McNEAL
More from Watch with Kristin

Tween girls weren't the only ones bawling their eyes out at tonight's elimination show for Dancing With the Stars.

Cody Linley, the Hannah Montana star who got the boot tonight, was a bit too, er, verklempt to head straight to the press line after the episode ended, and took a few moments to dry his eyes (and hug a few tween fans) before answering reporters' questions.

So why was he crying? Who's calling him the "next Brad Pitt?" And what secrets did we learn about next week's finale?

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For Real: Did You Watch the Housewives Finale?

The Real Housewives of Atlanta Bravo / Virginia Sherwood

As The Real Housewives of Atlanta ended its first season, the ladies came together in the spirit of love, friendship and reconciliation.

Oh, come on: They came together for the drama and the feuding.

Whether sharing a catty luncheon or feeling the stress of trying to achieve their dreams, the women kept themselves busy through the episode. Kim and Shereé bonded while NeNe glowered and DeShawn and Lisa kept things calm by venturing into the kitchen to cook some chicken.

Were you satisfied with the finale—or just waiting for that reunion show next week? Take the poll!

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Dancing Down to Final Three

Julianne Hough, Cody Linley, Brooke Burke, Derek Hough, Tom Bergeron, Samantha Harris, Lacey Schwimmer, Lance Bass, Kym Johnson, Warren Sapp, Dancing with the Stars ABC/KELSEY McNEAL

The seventh season of Dancing With the Stars has flown by, leaving in its wake three contestants with a shot at the championship on next week's finale.

Though this season has largely been missing the "wow" factor (the serious, positive "wow" factor, anyway) and last night's results were mixed for Brooke Burke, Cody Linley, Lance Bass and Warren Sapp, viewership has been consistent and voter support has been strong—so there's plenty of people out there lovin' this group, right?

See whether your favorite three made it through, or whether, once again, you have to admit that you just don't understand the way America thinks...

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Miley Cyrus: From Hannah Montana to Reality TV?

Miley Cyrus Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Is Miley Cyrus looking for a career change?

While promoting her movie Bolt Sunday, the Hannah Montana star told E! News that she'd like to try reality television.

"I would want to be on a reality show like The Real World because I think that's crazy," said Cyrus.  "Anyone who would do that has some serious guts."

With the hectic lifestyle that she lives, the pop princess said it would be nice to just chill out. "I just want to be in a really nice house with cameras following me around," said Cyrus.  "I can just sit there, eat Cheetos, read my book, hang out all day."

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DWTS Predix: Queen B Dethroned?

Brooke Burke, Dancing with the Stars ABC/KELSEY McNEAL
More from Watch with Kristin

Consider this a sign of the Apocalypse: Frontrunner Brooke Burke scored lower than Cody Linley on tonight's Dancing With the Stars. Scary, right? And yet we know the 11-year-old girls of the world have good cause to celebrate during recess tomorrow!

Since Brooke hit rock bottom (literally—did you see Derek accidentally slam her into the floor?), does this mean Lance Bass or Warren Sapp will rise up to snag the top spot? And who will be going home?

Read on for exclusive expert odds...

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DWTS Semifinal Separates the Men From the Boy

Lacey Schwimmer, Lance Bass, Dancing with the Stars ABC/KELSEY MCNEAL

It was go time Monday for Dancing With the Stars' final four, made up of the swift-footed celebrities graceful—and popular—enough to make it into the semifinals.

So did the lovable Warren Sapp, risk-taker Lance Bass, youngster Cody Linley and front-runner Brooke Burke deliver the goods on a night that in the past has offered up a fair share of perfect 30s?

Find out who brought it—and who brought nothing but nerves—after the jump.

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  • Rosie Revives Classic TV

    Rosie O'Donnell is bringing back the variety show with "Rosie Live." Sneak a behind-the-scenes peek at her new show.

  • Alessandra's Slimdown Secrets

    Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio is back to a size two only three months after giving birth! How'd she do it?

  • Tyra's "Twilight" Love Bite

    Tyra Banks goes batty over hunky vampire player Robert Pattinson and gives him something to sink his teeth into: her.

  • Oprah's Favorite Cheap Things

    This year the Big O is sharing some of her favorite frugal things. Find out what you can buy for next to nothing!