LOS ANGELES — Here's an unexpected effect, good or bad, of the economic crunch:

"Moment of Truth," a show that some TV viewers liked and most critics despised, has been waiting on the shelf for almost five months. It might stay there until summer.

"It's not that easy to sell (to advertisers)," said Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative entertainment. " 'Secret Millionaire' was a lot easier to sell."

Fox has often scored big with outrageous reality shows, from "Who Wants To Marry a Multi-Millionaire" to "Joe Millionaire" and "Who's Your Daddy?" In that vein, "Moment of Truth" asked people increasingly personal questions, with a lie detector judging them.

Ratings were high; criticism was intense. Fox planned a new season to start in late August, then pulled the show.

With the economy soft, Darnell said, advertisers prefer feel-good shows like "Secret Millionaire." The 11 "Truth" episodes might wait until things get better, possibly in the summer.

That happens to reality shows sometimes. Darnell taped an entire season of a show creating a world in which women ruled and men served; it's possible, he said, that it will never air. "Sometimes, something can sit on the shelf too long. It's been almost 18 months."

Instead, he's focusing on the new "American Idol" season and on "Osbournes: Reloaded," a series with Ozzy Osbourne and his family. It's sort of a variety show with an audience, but Darnell said there are lots of bits taped in advance. "I's almost 100 percent comedy ... It's very Fox; it's not 'Rosie.' "

Economic factors can increasingly affect network decisions. Kevin Reilly, the entertainment president for Fox, admitted that one reason he has already renewed " 'Til Death" for next season is that the price was good. "At a certain deal, it makes sense."

Still, that doesn't necessarily mean viewers will see "Death" in September, he said. "We might not put any (noncartoon comedies) on the fall schedule."

Fox is, however, investing heavily in major dramas. Three of them — "Lie to Me," "Dollhouse" and the quirky "Glee" — could make an impact in the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, Reilly has now decided this is the final "Prison Break" season. "The show's just played out," he said.