Winter 2008 may be remembered as the golden age of reality television competition... or as a bleak devastation invaded by tuneless singers, hulking gladiators, and boardroom celebrities. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, as people searched for their best non-scripted options. Click through this slideshow to see which reality contests secured the most Buzz in the New Year. Wednesday, January, 30, 2008, 6:30 PM

We may all be scrutinizing "American Idol" for signs of atonement rather than talent, but the FOX show’s 40% Buzz margin makes it the clear leader among reality TV competition shows this month. Season 7 is still in the delicate auditions stage — the freak sideshow to the main talent competition. Interestingly, slightly more men keep track of "Idol" at this time than during the actual contest, although females still make up the majority interest (6 out of 10).FOX - Wednesday, January, 30, 2008, 7:30 AM

The NBC behemoth (pun intentioned) could be the most fertile of all the reality shows, considering its many spin-off progeny: People (mostly ladies) have been looking into the Million Pound Match-Up, the challenge for Americans to cast off 500 tons, as well for the "Biggest Loser" cookbook, workout, and recipes. A Season 5 twist casts twosomes, following the double-the-trouble formula favored by shows like fourth-ranked "The Amazing Race." NBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Wednesday, January, 30, 2008, 7:30 AM

Imagine a giant playground decorated in The Sharper Image disco-style toys, with friendly bullies trying to push you off every strobe-lit jungle gym, and you have an inkling of "American Gladiators'" oversized appeal. Its return debut success has NBC signing up a new season as a summer lead-in to the Olympics... a surreal tableau to be contemplated later. About 80% of the show’s searchers are male — a stat that makes the popularity of the female competitors (especially pro cage-fighter Crush) hardly shocking. NBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Wednesday, January, 30, 2008, 7:30 AM

The scavenger race ended a victorious 12th season this month. It also picked up another award — the latest one from the Directors Guild of America. The group travelogue approach to bonding and self-discovery on "The Amazing Race" continues to earn kudos from critics and viewers. It’s also motivating couch potatoes to try their own spin about the globe: Searches to apply for the show ("the amazing race 14 application") beat out those for every other show on TV, including the less demanding game show "Deal or no Deal."CBS/Cliff Lipson - Wednesday, January, 30, 2008, 7:30 AM

A strange thing happened on the night of the Iowa Caucus: The Hawkeye state led in searches for the season premiere of Trump’s brainchild "The Celebrity Apprentice." Whether that can be construed as testimony to a Trump comeback or a peculiar commentary on how citizens view the American political process remains to be seen. Certainly NBC’s announcement of a second season shows that the dealmaker is still king. Plus, the “Apprentice” displayed charity in two ways: Winnings get donated to a worthy cause, and another Baldwin brother got television screen time. NBC/Justin Stephens - Wednesday, January, 30, 2008, 7:30 AM