17 July 2004, by xanderbnd
LOS ANGELES — You want trends? We got trends.
When you turn on your television set next fall, expect to see rip-offs, spin-offs and clones. Doctors return with a vengeance. Reality series are stronger than ever and comedy is all but dead.
Because there are so many similar shows, producers are quick to point out they had the bold new concept first.
"The Benefactor," for example, is an "Apprentice" clone in which billionaire Mark Cuban gives someone a million dollars. First, though, that (...)