-
January 11, 1973: An American Family
An American Family captured the authentic life of a family in Santa Barbara, California. However, the show took a turn when the parents ended up filing for divorce and the eldest son came out as gay. While the show was intended to be the world’s first taste of a real life documentation of a stereotypical American Family, it ended up attracting viewers due to its authenticity and raw footage. -
April 18, 1979: Real People
Real People followed shortly after due to the great success of An American Family. Each episode of the television series was devoted to showcasing a ‘real’ individuals quirky or unique hobbies and occupation. Viewers enjoyed the candid format of the reality show. -
May 21, 1992: The Real World
The Real World premiered on MTV and showcased the lives of seven young adults who had just never met as they lived together in a house. The cameras were on 24/7 and addressed topics that typically would be strayed away from in other genres of television. This included conversation about religion, sexuality, and politics. -
March 31, 2000: Survivor
Survivor followed individuals left on a stranded island as they competed for millions of dollars. They reality television show has been refereed as a competition of a ‘survival of the fittest’. This grabbed attention from viewers because it was an out-of-the-box experience that provoked drama and challenges. -
March 25, 2002: The Bachelor
The Bachelor showcased a man, in its first season, on his journey for love. As he navigates the dating world with 30 women, he has to make decisions in each week on who he will send home. This type of reality television was enticing to audiences because it gave them an intimate experience into dating and relationships. -
June, 11 2002: American Idol
American Idol is a singing competition where the judges travel all across the United States in order to find the next ‘American Idol’. This show was different from anything reality tv goers had seen before because it involved the viewers, as each week Americans could vote on who they wanted to make it to the next round. -
January 8, 2004: The Apprentice
The Apprentice was a reality television show lead by Donald Trump where individuals were judged by their business skills and entrepreneurial capabilities through project management and execution. The show combined reality television with the corporate world. -
March 8, 2006: Top Chef
Top Chef features aspiring chefs around the world as each week they are tasked with cooking challenges. This show was important to the evolution of reality television because it was the first of its time to tap into the culinary world. -
June 21, 2006: America’s Got Talent
America’s Got Talent has the four selected judges traveling around America to find individuals and groups with the most renown talent. The show, at times compared to American Idol, was unique because it invited people of all ages and also allowed for group performances in order to showcase a wide-range of talent. -
October 14, 2007: Keeping Up with the Kardashian
Keeping Up with the Kardashians showcased the lives of the upperclass Kardashian family as they navigated their extravagant lifestyle. The show rose to fame the more famous the family became as each episode documented their journey to stardom. -
March 4, 2008: The Real Housewives
The Real Housewives gave viewers a deep look into the lives of America’s most wealthy ‘housewives’ located in different cities around the United States including New York City and Beverly Hills. While the show originally appeared t seem very surface-level, viewers ended up growing a strong connection with the housewives as the cameras followed the through trials and tribulations. -
February 2, 2009: Ru Paul’s Drag Race
Ru Paul’s Drag Race invited drag queens around America to showcase their best performance. It has often been compared to America’s Next Top Model, but with a huge twist. -
April 26, 2011: The Voice
The Voice reinforced the idea of ‘note judging a book by its cover’. Contestants auditioned to judges that could not see their physical appearance. Throughout the show they were challenged to work in groups, sing-offs, and learn from some of the best artists in the industry.