Splash has been plagued with contestants’ injuries, but its bigger problem is a lack of viewers.

Networks have long been fascinated with pitching “reality” shows featuring celebrities thrown out of their respective comfort zones. A basic formula reads as follows: Gather a suitable number of B- and C-list stars; force them to make a mockery of a marginalized sport or other competitive activity; receive advertising revenue as the American public ogles Kendra Wilkinson attempting a reverse tuck.

Therein lies the premise of ABC’s latest such offering, the celebrity diving competition Splash. Contestants are scored for their dives, which vary from week to week (the latest episode forced contestants to perform synchronized dives with junior champions). The show’s plan worked seemingly well — until Wilkinson walked away from the show, citing a fear of heights less than three weeks after its debut.

The ex-Hugh Hefner plaything’s departure is simply one of a host of problems plaguing Splash, which is currently doggy-paddling to remain afloat in its floundering first season.

In addition to Wilkinson, three other contestants have withdrawn from the show. Former Miss Alabama Katherine Webb did so after suffering a back injury. Chelsea Lately’s Chuy Bravo called it quits after hurting his heel at an after-party. Comedian Louie Anderson nearly drowned during filming and later bowed out during the fifth round, saying he didn’t think he could proceed on the show.

Of those resilient enough to remain, extreme skier Rory Bushfield ruptured an eardrum, and former Baywatch actress Nicole Eggert was reportedly hospitalized following a botched dive.

Overall, Splash appears to have more in common with the survival-horror genre than with reality television. But its biggest problem? People aren’t watching it.

Arguably, ABC would be content sacrificing hundreds of lower-tier stars to a watery grave in exchange for a ratings boost. But Splash’s April 16 episode drew just 5.2 million viewers, netting 3.6 million fewer than its March premiere did.

At this point, it’s entirely plausible that ABC will not renew the show. In that case, Splash (not to be confused with its British counterpart Splash!, a show apparently so exciting it warrants punctuation) will join the ranks of failed celebrity competition shows.

Television has boasted shows featuring celebrities struggling to ice skate (Skating with the Stars), celebrities struggling with fiscal responsibility (Celebrity Apprentice) and celebrities who presumably struggle with both ice-skating and fiscal responsibility (Keeping Up with the Kardashians).

Of these three shows, one has since been canceled, one currently features Lil’ Jon in the role of philanthropist and one is still going remarkably strong after seven seasons.

The signs are clear. Novelty might win over viewers in the early stages of competition-based shows, but ultimately, they possess little staying power. In Splash’s case, there are only so many times viewers can watch Drake Bell (Drake & Josh) nervously drop off a high-dive platform before it gets old. Judging by the drop in ratings, for many it already has.

The majority of celebrity competition shows attract stars who lost any semblance of relevance years ago (in Bell’s case, 2007) or who were never relevant to begin with. In terms of reality television, viewers clearly prefer celebrities in their elements and at the top of their proverbial games, if the Kardashian clan can be said to have an element and/or game.

Granted, outliers, such as Dancing with the Stars, do exist. Now in its sixteenth season, it has seen more than its share of peers come and go while attempting to establish a foothold in the market. Yet by and large, the remains of dozens of miscues littering reality television history should serve as warnings for any networks planning to follow in their footprints.

That being said, E!’s recently debuted (and injury-free) What Would Ryan Lochte Do? looks like a step in the right direction for reality TV. Though it features Lochte, an Olympic swimmer, the show’s debut focused less on Lochte’s work in the pool than on his escapades in real life — ostensibly going to nightclubs and hitting on girls. While WWRLD? may prove to be an even bigger flop than Splash, at least it’s a move away from competition and water-based entertainment.