CBS claims ABC mimics its 'Survivor' with new show

NEW YORK -- Here's the plot for the latest reality drama from network television: Two networks are stranded on a legal island where one claims that copyrights leave room for just a sole survivor.

In a lawsuit Wednesday, CBS insists that ABC has unfairly tried to cash in on the success of CBS's "Survivor" series, one of the highest-rated shows on television.

It says "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" was designed to mimic "Survivor" and unfairly trade on its success by standing a group of participants in a remote and inhospitable location, similar to "Survivor."

CBS says an English version of the show took place in the Australian Outback, the same setting used in the second "Survivor" season. The suit seeks to block the ABC show from being aired as well as unspecified damages.

ABC did not immediately return a telephone message for comment.

The network confirmed earlier this year that it has ordered 15 episodes of the new series to air on consecutive nights in midseason.

The show would deposit eight celebrities in a remote location, give them tasks or trials to perform and allow them to eat if they do well, according to promotional material.

On "Survivor," 16 contestants compete in challenges for food and the right to stay on the show; one contestant is voted off the show each week.