Television networks, still reeling from strike-related ratings slips, have gone and broken the glass on their last-resort failsafe. They're cutting costs on reality shows. Executives are looking to further streamline the already seductively cheap 'n easy (that's why there are so many of 'em!) younger siblings of scripted programming by cutting down on non-studio filming and long editing times. Expect more shows, like the odious hit game show Moment of Truth (where contestants reveal terrible secrets while drooling for cash), that really only amount to "two people sitting in chairs onstage." More expensive reality shows like Hell's Kitchen need to be overseas hits before American networks will consider producing their own versions, which doesn't happen every day. What could this mean for reality favorites like Top Chef, Project Runway, and America's Next Top Model? We have some grim forecasts after the jump.

Project Runway
 How It Is Now: The popular, zeitgeisty series, in which gay people and ladies compete to design the best fashions, has one more season on Bravo before it moves over to Lifetime, where it will (presumably) be their flagship program. The contestants run all over New York (well, it'll be in LA for Lifetime) and have lots and lots of challenges outside the confines of a "studio." Add big-name talent like Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn to the roster, and it's not exactly bargain basement.
The Cheapening: The LA move, done so Klum can be closer to family, will feature most of its workroom scenes filmed in the Bavarian model's mudroom. While it will look sadly low-budget, there will be the unexpected thrill of seeing Klum, fuzzy in the background, walking around in a commandant's uniform, brandishing a Luger, yelling "schnell! schnell!" to her terrified children, and making husband Seal bounce balls on his nose for fish. Also, Michael Kors will be replaced with a Teddy Ruxpin doll that's been dyed orange.

Top Chef
 How It Is Now: The "drunken, horribly angry chefs compete for a vague prize" Bravo hit is all about on-location filming, from Miami to New York to Chicago. No "big" names like Project Runway, but zombie bite victim and series host Padma Lakshmi probably isn't that cheap anymore.
The Cheapening: Easy-Bake Ovens, mostly. Head judge Tom Colicchio will be swapped out for a cardboard cutout of Mr. Clean. Also, the already heavily product-placementy series will get further tie-ins, and contestants will be forced to cook with only the "Kraft family of products."

America's Next Top Model
 How It Is Now: This strange, melting wax figurine of a competition series, one of The CW's biggest hits, flies their final contestants to far-flung locations like China, Thailand, and South Africa. They often employ many stylists and photographers. Plus, Tyra. She's making a mint off this thing.
The Cheapening: The new, cheaper "cycles" will last only three minutes. The first two will just be slo-mo footage of Tyra gyrating and posing for some unseen photographer while, in voiceover, she reads selections from her diary. In the final minute, Tyra will shriek some weird name like "Yahoo" or "Jasmenayaya" and a weird leggy thing will emerge from the shadows, weeping. She'll be handed the keys to a 1987 Datsun and then the lights will be shut off. Nothing will be lost in this new version.

The Hills
 How It Is Now: Fancy camera work, increasingly popular stars, buzzy pop songs, constant on-location filming. While MTV is unlikely to make many changes to their hugely successful series, there are a few corners that could be cut.
The Cheapening: Each episode will simply feature soaring stock footage of Los Angeles while melancholic upbeat pop-emo songs play. In a little box in the corner of the screen, one cast member (to be changed every week) will make facial expressions. Sometimes they'll say things like "Brody" or "Le Deux" or "Baloney."

Only time will tell if these prognostications will come true. You can also probably look forward to new seasons of your favorite reality shows like Survivor: Parking Lot, The Just OK Race, and So You Think You Can Dance For Nickels. Maybe we'll finally see the genre killed off! Wouldn't that be something.

For now, though: Enjoy.