A very interesting article here, explaining how recession hits unscripted shows.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/11/tough-reality-a.html

I like this quote :

“At the outset of what looks to be another deep recession, the sudden success of once-suffering comedies such as “30 Rock” and “Mother” is striking. As the Dow continues to spiral down and jobs dry up, viewers may have decided that their everyday lives already contain more reality than they can bear.”