If the Nielsen ratings are to be believed, the public’s love affair with reality television appears to be on the wane. Over the past month and a half, most Americans have had enough reality to last a lifetime. And with the proliferation of so many new entries it probably was inevitable that only the fittest would survive anyway. The trauma viewers suffered as a result of the terrorist attacks simply hastened the process – and, quite frankly, that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes, the jump-on-the bandwagon mentality could use a good-ahem-reality check.

Earlier this year, the fledging reality genre spewed one show after the other, with varying degrees of success. The fact that reality television got excessive was crudely defined by coarse language, sex, and violence. (Unlike some TV gems, like “The Soprano’s”, which use these antics with redeeming virtues of magnificent writing and acting, “reality” shows employ these tasteless tactics just to see ratings surge.) But the thought of reality TV, post-9/11, seems even more revolting than it ever has before.

Which is exactly why I have been glowing over reality television’s ultimate demise. Since the attacks, Americans are clearly losing interest in the genre’s programming as ratings are down for the fare. As Thursday’s “Tube Notes” stated, “Friends” has consistently beaten “Survivor: Africa,” a show which seemed indestructible last season. The same reaction is felt on other would-be hits like CBS’ “The Amazing Race” and Fox’s “Love Cruise: The Maiden Voyage.” Even poor Reege’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” is loosing steam and, thankfully, the oh-so-annoying Anne Robinson is becoming NBC’s own weakest link. (The fact that the inane catchphrase “You are the weakest link, goodbye!” became an instant common-day line proves that Americans are starving for some good entertainment.)

The genre was hurt by over saturation – a consistent problem that arises every time a Hollywood formula becomes successful. There’s so much reality programming out there, a leveling ratings epidemic was inevitable. In fact, there is not a single night of the week where you won’t be able to find a reality show. Sad.

But don’t expect the reality genre to instantly fade. Oh, no. Convincing network execs that the trend is over is as useless as beating a dead horse. Heck, even Fox’s “Who Wants To Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” mishap didn’t teach those network bigwigs a lesson. Moreover, the creative process of these shows requires little imagination. Writers and producers don’t have to think up a witty storyline (God forbid!) and the economics of it is incredible. Some stars, such as Rachel and co. of “Friends” command up to $1 million per episode, whereas celebrity-hungry contestants vie for spots on sleazy shows for nothing (50,000 plus auditioned for “Survivor: Africa”). And since game shows like “Weakest Link” cost only $500,000 per episode to produce (compared with the $9 million NBC pays for one hour of “ER”), the concept of producing reality-based television is brainless. And CBS undoubtedly doesn’t give a rats’ roasted tail about the “waning” reality ratings as the third installment of “Survivor” averages a modest 20 million viewers.

Some networks faced the wrath of disgusted viewers over crass programming after the Sept. 11 attacks and final decisions forced nets to cancel some future reality-based shows. MTV had some of it’s own soul-searching done earlier this year when “Jackass,” (following in the footsteps of moronic father-figure “The Tom Green Show”) ultimately called it quits in August after a controversial year that inspired several teens to mimic the ridiculous acts of the show’s idiotic host Johnny Knoxville. Apparently, the music network has supposedly opted to play more music videos (unthinkable!) in light of the controversy-plagued shows and in the wake of the tragedies.

I never understood why “The Tom Green Show” was propelled to instant success in the first place. Was Green so desperate for fame that he decided to humiliate himself by sucking on a cow udder, humping a dead moose, and daring strangers to wallop him in the crotch with a bat? America (or is that just twisted 13-year-old boys?) finally realized his stupid behavior when Freddy Got Fingered was released to theaters this summer to a dismal box office take.

Although most of the country’s tastes haven’t changed much after the attacks, it has become prevalent that the nation is no longer reality hungry. As the “Fear Factor” sets in, eating rats, watching complete strangers feud incessantly, and paranormally hook-up (à la “Temptation Island”), is no longer a past-time pleasure. Much like the public finally caught on to Green’s outlandish antics, so has the country finally realized the repugnant programming of overall reality-based television.