I worked as a producer for TV, and I know that reality TV is far from "real" so give me a drama any day over reality. I prefer the actors that have something to do and act and entertain me more than reality TV.
I would rather watch drama. I watch tv to get away from it all so why would I want to watch reality? Besides....I agree that most of them are staged anyway!
Give me a tightly scripted, well acted, drama over the overwrought hysterics of 'reality' television anyday. It seems like it's a popular choice to produce simply because it's cheap.