Except among kids. For those ages 2-11, reality remains the hottest thing on TV, occupying the top five spots in that demo on broadcast this season.

Some of the shows aren’t so surprising. Two editions of “Dancing with the Stars,” a top-five show in total viewers, rank Nos. 3 and 4, while “Survivor,” a longtime favorite among 2-11s, is No. 2.

But others are more surprising. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” the 17-year-old show that airs Sundays at 7 p.m., ranks No. 44 this season among total viewers with an average audience of 10 million. Yet it is tied for No. 4 among kids 2-11 with a 2.7 rating and 1.09 million viewers.

And “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” No. 15 among total viewers, is No. 1 among kids with a 3.7 rating, 0.7 ahead of No. 2 “Survivor.”

Counting game shows and sports, unscripted programming fills 10 of the top 20 slots among 2-11s.

Why is reality still so popular among kids when older people have cooled toward it? There seem to be several reasons, chief among them that most reality shows are family-friendly and parents can watch them along with their children, no matter what their age.

Emmitt Smith’s dance moves invite far fewer questions than, say, the dead bodies that pop up on every episode of “Cold Case,” which ranks No. 19 in total viewers but No. 52 with 2-11s.

Too, reality shows fill the void left by the lack of family sitcoms on the broadcast networks. “Survivor,” “Stars” and “Videos” all have humor that’s universally appealing. The jokes on most network sitcoms these days, such as NBC’s “The Office” or ABC’s “Help Me Help You,” are increasingly sophisticated and subtle, and often sail right over the kids’ heads.

Finally, as NBC pointed out earlier this season, many reality shows air in the so-called family hour at 8 p.m. or 7 p.m. Sunday, which is more conducive to children’s viewing than the 9 or 10 p.m. hours, which are past many kids’ bedtime.

All six top shows air at 8 p.m. or earlier, and only one in the top nine, “Grey’s Anatomy,” airs later. 

Meanwhile, in other younger viewers ratings for the week ended Nov. 26:

The top five networks among 12-17: Fox came in first with a 2.6 rating and 9 share, followed by ABC at 2.0/7, CW at 1.5/5, NBC at 1.4/5, CBS at 1.3/5, Univision at 1.0/3, Telemundo and Telefutura tied at 0.2/1 and Azteca at 0.0/0.

The top five networks among 2-11: ABC was first with a 2.0 rating and 8 share, followed by Fox at 1.6/6, Univision, CBS and NBC tied at 1.1/4, CW at 0.8/3, Telemundo and Telefutura tied at 0.2/1 and Azteca at 0.0/0.

Note: The younger viewer combined broadcast and basic cable charts for the week ended Nov. 26 have been delayed by the Thanksgiving holiday. They will be posted if they are released.