** Can a revival of "Battle of the Network Stars" be far behind?
I think "BotNS 2K7" (ewww) can probably be ruled out, and here's why: When "celebrity editions" of Millionaire started popping up, I recall reading a story that other networks were reluctant to allow their stars to contribute to a ratings juggernaut on one of their competitors. IIRC, at least one network flat-out forbade its talent from appearing on Millionaire. Also, take a look at the trend of the last 10-15 years in late night talk: if someone making an appearance is featured on a competing network's programming, no longer is it "They appear on 'CSI,' airing on CBS," it's "From the series CSI, airing on another network..."
Back in the 1970s, when there were three broadcast networks and cable was an obscure novelty, you had a sort of oligopoly in television programming, and the big three formed an "old boys club" which likely had some tidy agreements and would view a spectacle such as BotNS as fluffy cross-promotion. However, with exponentially increased competition over the past 30 years, the networks are scratching and clawing for every hundreth of a ratings point they can get. And they aren't likely to let their talent perform on a quirky series that could turn into the next "Dancing With The Stars" very easily.
