At one point, reality shows were seen as way stations for celebrities who had outlasted their expiration date, offering one last chance to wave and smile into the camera before disappearing forever. But something strange happened to a lot of those stars headed to obscurity: They got the Big Bounce.

Sure, a lot of reality stars end up looking like laughingstocks, as we watch them stumble through bad dates, trod through cow manure and discover the ingredients in Chicken of the Sea, but they're laughing all the way to the bank with the genre giving them more attention -- and creative control -- than they've ever had in their careers.

That's why Margaret Cho, a well-respected standup, agreed to "The Cho Show," debuting on VH1 tonight, a reality series that she hopes will provide the kind of career boost that her 1995 network sitcom couldn't provide. If she succeeds, she'll be in great company.

For some other reality-show alum who graduated at the top of their class, see E10.

Before reality: Black Sabbath lead singer beloved by die-hard metalheads, but known to the mainstream as the guy who snacks on bats' heads.

After reality: "The Osbournes" (2002-05) made him MTV's biggest star and the most endearing senior citizen since Grandpa Walton. Fox has signed him and his family to headline a variety show next year.

Before reality: Spitball comic best known for playing second banana to Brooke Shields on "Suddenly Susan" and insulting every celebrity not named Brooke Shields.

After reality: Winning the 2003 edition of "Celebrity Mole" prompted her to launch Bravo's "Life on the D List" (2005- ), a title that no longer applies since she regularly sells out theaters (including four Minneapolis shows in early October), took home a 2007 Emmy and briefly dated Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Before reality: Public Enemy rapper with a bad reputation, even worse teeth and a giant clock around his neck ticking toward the midnight hour.

After reality: A stint on "The Surreal Life" got him starring gigs on "Strange Love," which chronicles his romance with Amazon Bridgette Nielsen, and "Flavor of Love," a cross between "The Dating Game" and a David Lynch film. He was roasted last year on Comedy Central and has a network sitcom, "Under One Roof."

Before reality: Party girls best known for their last names and sexual escapades.

After reality: "The Simple Life" (2003-07) vets are known as movie stars, authors, designers, businesswomen, ex-prisoners, musicians and potential vice-presidential candidates.

Before reality: His stint as Peter Brady didn't lead to many acting jobs, but he did strike it rich as a software salesman.

After reality: "The Surreal Life" makes another love connection, this time with former "America's Next Top Model" Adrianne Curry, which leads to marriage and the VH1 series "My Fair Brady." He's just been tapped as the host for an upcoming syndicated game show based on the Trivial Pursuit board game.

Before reality: 1990s pop star who seemed on the verge of joining Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Samantha Fox in the Sisterhood of Traveling Has-Beens.

After reality: MTV's "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica" (2003-05) ended in divorce, but it did contribute to a career resurgence, a juicy role in "The Dukes of Hazzard" and a chance to date Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Before reality: Longtime lead singer for Poison, a band getting too old to do the "unskinny bop."

After reality: VH1's "Rock of Love With Bret Michaels" (2007- ) gave him new life on the dating and music scene. He's featured in the 2007 hit video game "Guitar Hero III."

njustin@startribune.com • 612-673-7431