First reality TV awards scrapped

Joe Millionaire contestants battled to win the prize - a broke builder

Plans for the first awards ceremony honouring the best of reality TV in the US have been scrapped.

Producer Don Mischer cited the refusal of some networks to allow their clips to be used in the ABC show as the reason for its cancellation.

The ceremony, which was due to be taped on 23 November, was to include the categories Best Series and Best Twist.

Five of the top 10 shows in the US in the past year have been non-scripted reality TV programmes.

Mischer sent a letter to fellow TV executives saying that the stars of shows such as Joe Millionaire and Survivor would be "discouraged from participating".

"Although all those we talked to were very excited about honouring this genre of television," added the veteran producer of the Emmys awards show.

Proposals were made for the public to choose award winners through an online ballot.

In the summer, TV network Fox - home to programmes such as Paradise Island and Temptation Island - said it would screen less reality shows and concentrate on original programming.

The station's chairman Sandy Grushow said: "I think there is a limit on how many of these shows we can do".