Reality TV
Name: Reality Television
Genre: Unscripted Entertainment
First Major Shows: Candid Camera (1948), An American Family (1973), The Real World (1992)
Global Breakout Hits: Survivor, Big Brother, Idol, The Apprentice, Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Core Themes: Competition, transformation
What Is Reality TV?
Reality television is a genre of programming that showcases real people—often non-actors—in unscripted or loosely scripted situations. These shows aim to entertain by capturing authentic emotions, interpersonal drama, and unpredictable outcomes. Formats range from competitions and dating shows to lifestyle makeovers and social experiments.
While marketed as "real," many reality shows are carefully edited and structured to enhance drama and viewer engagement. Producers often guide narratives through selective editing, prompting, and casting choices .
A Brief History of Reality TV
1948: Candid Camera debuts, using hidden cameras to capture people's reactions to pranks.
1973: PBS airs An American Family, documenting the daily life of the Loud family, considered a precursor to modern reality TV.
1992: MTV's The Real World introduces a new format by placing diverse strangers in a shared living space, pioneering the modern reality TV genre.
2000s: Global franchises like Survivor, Big Brother, and Idol popularize competitive reality formats.
Subgenres of Reality TV
Competition Shows: Survivor, The Amazing Race, Top Chef
Dating Shows: The Bachelor, Love Island
Makeover/Transformation: Queer Eye, Extreme Makeover
Docusoaps: Keeping Up with the Kardashians, The Real Housewives
Social Experiments: Castaway 2000, Faking It
Talent Shows: American Idol, Nigerian Idol, The Voice
