Reality Television

A brief history of reality television from Candid Camera to today

1. Is there anything real in here?Is there anything real in here?

2. 2
No Escape: Reality TV is EverywhereNo Escape: Reality TV is Everywhere!

3. But is it really new?But is it really new?
Where did it begin?..... Let’s Look Back!Where did it begin?..... Let’s Look Back!

4. On August 10, 1948, On August 10, 1948, Alan Funt Alan Funt
introduced the world to his introduced the world to his
hidden camera comedy show.hidden camera comedy show.
The show had originally begun The show had originally begun
on radio as Candid Microphone on radio as Candid Microphone
and was introduced to TV with and was introduced to TV with
the name. the name.
In 1949 it was renamed In 1949 it was renamed
Candid Camera.Candid Camera.
Alan FuntAlan Funt

5. Candid Camera is consideredCandid Camera is considered the first the first
and longest running reality-based and longest running reality-based
comedy program. comedy program.
““Smile You‘re on Candid Camera.Smile You‘re on Candid Camera.””

6. With the use of hidden cameras, set up hoaxes and stunts, Funt caught the reactions With the use of hidden cameras, set up hoaxes and stunts, Funt caught the reactions
of unsuspecting everyday people in the act of being themselves. Comedians such as of unsuspecting everyday people in the act of being themselves. Comedians such as
Buster Keaton, Woody Allen and Fannie Flagg sometimes helped out.Buster Keaton, Woody Allen and Fannie Flagg sometimes helped out.

7. 1973, An American Family

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You probably don’t associate reality TV with PBS, but in 1973 PBS introduced the first
documentary style reality television show, a 12 part series that followed the lives of
an actual America family ---“An American Family” 1973

9. "An American Family," "An American Family,"
1973, PBS 1973, PBS
1st documentary style reality 1st documentary style reality
show. show.
12 part series followed the Loud 12 part series followed the Loud
family.family.
Lance Loud, oldest son was a Lance Loud, oldest son was a
leading personality. Viewers leading personality. Viewers
were introduced to his gay were introduced to his gay
lifestyle in episode two. lifestyle in episode two.
Lance was the first openly Lance was the first openly
homosexual person on television homosexual person on television
as an integral member of as an integral member of
American family life.American family life.
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The Louds

10. An American Family was groundbreaking on several
accounts. It showed the ups and downs of a real
family and portrayed the real coming out of the gay
son and the eventual divorce of the parents
While the intent was to make a show about
ordinary people, it made celebrities of them.
The show provoked controversy. Even the critics
disagreed; while some saw it as the greatest
realism, other found it artificial.
1983 documentary updates
The Loud family
2003, PBS broadcast Lance Loud!: A
Death in an American Family. The
family is shown again, before the
death of Lance.

11. "An American Family,” 1973, PBS
1st documentary style reality show 11

12. 1988
Based on a 1967 German show and a 1984 British
show America’s Most wanted premiered in US. The
show featured low budget re-enactments of crimes.
Within four days of the first broadcast, one of FBI’s
Ten Most Wanted was captured.irect result

13. Photo: Monica Almeida/The New York Times
Writers Guild of America Strike – Mar 7- August 7, 1988Writers Guild of America Strike – Mar 7- August 7, 1988

14. COPS was commissioned for the Fox Network as the result of the
Writer’s strike.
Commissioned 1988 - Premiere 1989

15. Camera crews follow real police officers as they perform their duties.
Low cost and unscripted.

16. 16
Everyday citizen George Holliday’s video of Rodney Everyday citizen George Holliday’s video of Rodney
King beating in 1991 brings reality to the world.King beating in 1991 brings reality to the world.

17. 1992
The Real World on MTV
debuts. Inspired by PBS’s
An American Family, the
show depicted youth issues
such as sexuality, death,
politics, substance abuse
and AIDS.
Seven strangers picked to
live in a house and behave
badly.
The show is credited with
launching the modern era
of Reality TV.

18. Late 1990s- 2000s- Explosion of Reality TV
Big Brother broadcast in 1999 in the Netherlands, later
becoming a worldwide TV franchise.

19. Late 1990s- 2000s- Explosion of Reality TV
May 31, 2000 – Survivor, an American version of a Swedish
TV series created in 1997

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Mark Burnett
The King of Reality TV
"Eco-Challenge," 1995
“Survivor,” 2000, for CBS
"The Apprentice" for NBC
Are You Smarter than a 5
th

Grader
The Voice
Shark Tank
Has produced over 2,400
hours of TV airing in +70
countries

21. Carefully selected contestants to engage in antics
People want to become famous and are willing to act up
Editing increases the drama and spins or manufactures stories
E! Online says 30-minute reality show costs about $100,000-
$500,000 per episode. They are not paying expensive actors.
Product tie-ins – placement are easily done
and…..
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Why are Reality Shows so successful and ubiquitous?Why are Reality Shows so successful and ubiquitous?

22. Schadenfreude is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.

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Why we watch:Why we watch:

23. Effects of Reality TV
Surge in non-scripted television
"Curb Your Enthusiasm”
“Crank Yankers”
"Reno 911”
“The Hills”
“All-Reality Network” from FOX
What is the effect on our view of reality?
Does viewing change our perception of civility,
friendship, fame, relationships, race, and consumerism?
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