The History of Reality Television

Though the popularity of reality television has exploded in the past few years, its history can be traced back over six decades. Television producer Allen Funt introduced this new concept of television programming in 1948 with his Candid Camera series. Having created the idea of filming people on live television as they were confronted with various unusual situations, Funt’s idea of reality television took off, paving the way for shows such as Truth or Consequences, What’s My Line, You Asked For It, as well as many others.

In 2000, television producer Charlie Parsons set the standard for reality television programming with his highly successful game show Survivor. Survivor focuses on a group of 16 castaways struggling for survival for 39 days in remote locations across the globe.

These contestants are eliminated one by one with the last remaining contestant being named the “sole survivor,” winning one million dollars. Survivor is just as popular today as it was when it first began nine years ago. The show’s nineteenth season, Survivor: Samoa, is scheduled for release on September 17, 2009. Other popular reality game shows based on the concept of elimination include Big Brother, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and The Amazing Race.

Where the choices of reality television programming may have been scarce, at best, in the late 40s and 50s, its evolution throughout the years has been exciting, though in recent years, a bit predictable. With just about any kind of reality show airing now days, the viewer is sure to find at least one that quenches his or her thirst for entertainment. It’s hard to say what direction reality programming will take in the years to come, but for now, it is being embraced by millions of viewers who wait with anticipation from week to week for the next episode of their favorite reality show to air.