Reality television is a type of television programming that is generally unscripted and unrehearsed. It includes many kinds of programs, such as game and competition shows, talent contests, makeover programs, and series that follow the everyday lives of ordinary people or celebrities. Some types of reality shows try to bring out participants’ genuine emotions and reveal intimate details about their lives. Reality shows are popular in many parts of the world.
Reality television traces its history to the early days of television. A form of reality television began in the late 1940’s with “Candid Camera.” The program used hidden cameras to show people responding to odd or surprising situations. In the 1950’s, prize giveaway shows became popular. One such show was “Queen for a Day.” Three or four ordinary women spoke to the show’s host about the difficulties in their lives. A studio audience then voted on one woman who was crowned “Queen for a Day” and presented with gifts. Another early reality show was a Public Broadcasting Service documentary called An American Family (1973). The program portrayed the Loud family of Santa Barbara, California.
In the late 1980’s, the Fox network introduced the popular crime series “Cops.” The show followed real-life police officers performing their daily duties in various cities in the United States. In the 1990’s, MTV broadcast “The Real World.” The series followed a group of young people from different backgrounds who were chosen to live together in a house in a major city.
Reality shows became an important part of prime-time television in 2000, when CBS premiered “Survivor.” The show gathers a group of contestants in a remote location. They live together in sparse and difficult conditions for almost a month. They also compete in a series of games that test their resourcefulness and endurance. Cameras record their daily interactions, which often include dramatic conflicts and disagreements. “Survivor” became one of the most popular television programs during the first decade of the 2000’s. Other popular shows with a similar format include “Big Brother,” which began in 2000, and “The Amazing Race,” which began in 2001. “The Apprentice,” which began in 2004, was hosted by the American businessman Donald Trump until 2015. Trump was elected president of the United States in 2016. In 2017, the Austrian-born actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted the show, which was retitled “The New Celebrity Apprentice,” for one season.
Talent contests also attracted large audiences in the early 2000’s. The singing competition show “American Idol,” first aired in 2002, attracted some of the biggest audiences in television history. Other popular talent shows include the celebrity ballroom dancing competition “Dancing with the Stars,” which began in 2005. The cooking competition “Top Chef” began in 2006.
