Reality television has been a staple of modern entertainment for decades. From the first season of Survivor in 2000 to the current trend of reality dating shows, reality TV has captivated audiences with its unfiltered and often unpredictable nature.
But who were the original pioneers of this genre? Who were the first people to put themselves on television for all to see without any script or direction?
The answer lies in the early 1960s, when television producers began experimenting with new formats that would allow viewers to witness everyday life unfold in real-time. These shows were often called “reality TV” even though they were not what we consider reality TV today.
One of the first and most successful of these shows was “The Real McCoys,” which aired from 1963 to 1967.
“The Real McCoys” was a comedy that followed the everyday lives of a family of Southern farmers who had moved to California. The show was unique in that it was based on a real-life family, the McCoy family, who were selected by the producers to participate in the show.
The McCoys were not actors and their personalities and quirks were captured on camera for all to see.
The success of “The Real McCoys” paved the way for other reality TV shows, such as “The Beverly Hillbillies,” which was also based on a real family, the Clampett family, who had moved from West Virginia to California. These shows were popular because they allowed viewers to witness real people in their everyday lives, which was something that had never been done before.
However, it was not until the 1990s and early 2000s that reality TV as we know it today began to take shape. Shows like “Survivor,” “Big Brother,” and “The Apprentice” introduced viewers to a new type of reality TV that involved competition and challenges.
These shows were not based on real people, but rather on concepts and ideas.
Today, reality TV has become a multi-billion dollar industry, with new shows being introduced every season. From dating shows to talent competitions, there is something for everyone on reality TV.
But it all started with the pioneers of this genre, like “The Real McCoys” and the McCoy family who dared to put themselves on television for all to see.
In conclusion, the original reality TV star was not an actor or a celebrity, but rather a real person who allowed viewers to witness their everyday lives unfold in real-time. These pioneers of reality TV paved the way for the genre that we know and love today, and their legacy continues to inspire new generations of reality TV stars.
