Unreal World

But the real taste test may come with the return of more aggressive shows like NBC's ''Fear Factor.'' ''Reckless formats seem inappropriate in such an anxious era,'' says Matthew Felling of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Media and Public Affairs, noting that MTV's ''Jackass'' had called it quits in August. ''When you factor fear into daily life, there's no need for Fear Factor.'' Naturally, Gaspin disagrees. ''I find it empowering,'' he says, adding that a 2002 return for both ''Fear'' and ''Spy TV'' is likely. Viewers' tastes haven't fundamentally shifted, maintains Mike Darnell, exec VP of alternative programming and specials at Fox. ''I love 'God Bless the USA.' It's a great song,'' he says. ''But I'm not changing over to country music.''

Despite the national mood, TV's basic rules remain the same. ''People look at a show like 'Survivor' and say, 'Are these events going on out in the jungle particularly relevant in today's society?''' says Kahl. ''Well, no, they're not. But many of us were mistaken to think that they ever really were.''