CBS says reality shows worth the risk

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Reality shows like "Big Brother," in which one contestant pulled a knife on another, are risky but represent an effort to try something different, CBS executives said Tuesday. "I'm tired of putting on 'Diagnosis Murder' reruns in the summer. There's a quest to put on new forms of programming," CBS President Leslie Moonves told the Television Critics Association. Under sharp questioning, Moonves said the network believes "Big Brother" is worthwhile but does require vigilance.
The reality show, which shuts people in a camera-filled house for three months, ejected contestant Justin Sebik after he held a knife to a female player's throat and asked, "Would you get mad if I just killed you?" "It's an unfortunate situation but that's the risk you do run," CBS Entertainment President Nancy Tellem said. A background check by CBS failed to show that Sebik, 26, of Bayonne, N.J., had an arrest record for assault.