Reality TV has its roots in the 1948 Alan Funt television program "Candid Camera," which used hidden cameras to record practical jokes on everyday people. Reality TV in 2011 no longer hides the camera, with both average people and celebrities fully aware that their actions are being recorded. One of the first shows to use this conceit was the 1973 PBS program "An American Family," which focused on the Loud family. Within that show, family revelations were made while the cameras rolled. These revelations included the divorce of the parents and their sons announcement that he was homosexual. This concept has since been mimicked by other reality shows including "The Osbornes" and "Keeping Up With The Kardashians."
On May 21, 1992, MTV debuted "The Real World," a reality program that would go on to be MTV's longest running show, as of 2011. The concept of the show is simple: seven strangers share a house while cameras record their daily interactions, arguments, revelations, problems and relationships. The first season of the show took place in New York. The following season, with an all new cast, took place in Los Angeles. Other locals have included San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Law Vegas and Boston. The show has also filmed outside of the United States in locals such as London, Cancun and Paris. The format for "The Real World" has not altered since its debut, still focusing on strangers learning to live together in a particular city.
One of the first reality shows to have a competitive angle was "Survivor," which first aired in 2000 in the United States. The concept of the show was to station several competitors on a remote island and have them compete against each other for rewards and, ultimately, a final cash prize. Contestants were voted off by one another. However, they also had the ability to gain immunity, allowing them to save themselves from elimination. This competitive angle was inspired by prior game shows --- such as "Beat The Clock" and $64,000 Question" --- that forced people to play against each other. However, unlike game shows, competitive reality shows eliminate contestants on a weekly basis. Several shows have followed this format including "Americas Next Top Model," "American Idol" and "The Apprentice."
Reality shows can either make a person famous, or feature someone who is already famous. For example, the hit television show "Jackass" made a star out of Johnny Knoxville, who would later go on to star in "Men in Black II" and "The Dukes of Hazzard." The competition show "Dancing with the Stars" pairs well-known figures, such as Florence Henderson, with dancing professionals. Other times, the celebrity is simply the host and/or judge of the show. For example, Tyra Banks is host and judge on "America's Next Top Model."