With the writers strike, many TV addicts are left with only reality television to entertain them. To help fill the void, reality show heavy-hitter, American Idol, returns tonight and tomorrow for its seventh season premiere on Fox.

But American Idol may be one reality competition that isn’t actually about winning or losing. Lately, winners have been losing recording contracts and losers are topping charts, winning Grammys and Oscars, and debuting on Broadway.

As strikes go, this one had a relatively short run.

Last night, 19 days after the standoff began between the League of American Theaters and Producers and the stagehands’ union, the neon lights were bright again on Broadway.

Nederlander, Shubert and other theater owners re-opened their doors. Restaurateurs on 46th Street filled their tables. Casts and audiences reveled.