There's a glimpse or two of reality there, though. Power struggles over the crops and the salt mine - all toned down for prime-time television. Reality would be far uglier, but going "too real" would drive away half of the viewers. People want to believe that a Mayberry-like existence could continue under such circumstances.
I do give them points for paying attention to detail. Note that only the older cars and trucks will run (there have been goof-ups on that issue, though). Also, power and communications were actually disrupted by the not-very-distant nuclear explosion. Compare that with 24, which had no such difficulties. Why, even the automobile traffic was normal, despite a mushroom cloud towering nearby. The last fifteen minutes of the film Miracle Mile would be a lot closer to the way people would really react, IMO.
I agree that they made some moves towards reality, but oberall its a soap opera. The Brits do that type of grim apocalypsia tale so much better - check out The War game” or “Threads” for video examples. Even when they’re unrealistic, it is pl;ot silliness. The gritty details are fine.
As to literature, the Brits produced Death of Grass, the Triffids, The World in Winter, etc (they’’re just my favourites, though dated). Jericho’s makers could have read Alas Babylon and taken many good pointers on...also Resyrrection Day.
Ah well, it’s all fun, it just irritates me because if it had had a brutal real edge it would b an enduring classic not just a brief wonder.