Reality TV: From Then to Now

The earliest likeness to the current crop of Reality TV shows can be found in 'Allen Funt's Candid Camera' of 1948. It was the first show of its kind where the participants were filmed (and eventually broadcasted) in unscripted situations. The 'Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour' and 'Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scout' can be branded as one of the earliest talent shows where amateurs were given a chance to perform live nationwide in front of television audiences; not quite unlike today's 'American Idol' or 'America's Got Talent'. The first reality show in modern sense was 'The American Family', aired in 1973. It showed a nucleus family dealing with impending divorce and consequent destruction of familial ties.

The Transition

The mould for Reality TV's current shape was created in late 1980's when the '1988 Writers Guild of America strike' forced studio producer to scavenge for new programming. 'COPS', aired in 1989, showed police officers apprehending real criminals. It had the typical camcorder feel that can be associated with so many shows of today's television.

The biggest kick-start in the journey of reality shows came with 'The Real World', produced by MTV in 1992. It pioneered the plot of putting a set of strangers in an unfamiliar surroundings and recording their reactions and interactions. A lot of stylized conventions, popularized by 'The Real World' has since become standards in Reality television now; the use of soundtrack music, the after-show confessionals by characters that also serve as narrations etc. The show was said to have been based on Dutch show 'Nummer 28' but the producers of 'The Real World' claim that they were inspired by 'The American Family'.

The Modern Avatar

The explosion of Reality TV popularity came in 2000 with the introduction 'Survivor' and 'The American Idol'. These two shows remained the top rates series for an entire season on American television. These were followed by 'The Apprentice', 'Fear Factor', 'Big Brother' etc., all of which had a common theme, the participants indulging in entertaining and often risky tasks to survive on the show. This was often coupled with nationwide audience voting to decide on the final result. The biggest testimony to the popularity of these shows is it's syndication in dozens of countries. 'The Indian Idol' recently concluded its Season 4 in 2009.

Reality shows have often been accused of selling people's misery, more specifically it has been claimed that they are only popular due to their ability to provide schadenfreude, pleasure derived from other's misfortune. In spite of this the fact remains that reality shows continue to woo the contestants and viewers alike with the promise of instant fame for the former and some light hearted entertainment for the later.