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Reality Squared

Through the 1980s and 1990s, the television industry and its critics have identified and promoted the re-emergence of "reality-based" television. During the past two decades, this type of programming has come to play a major role in both production decisions and network strategy.

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Life the Movie

Tabloid Culture

24/7

MTV's The Real World: The Complete First Season

We're all addicted to it. We sit for hours at a time and waste half our night watching it. It's all we talk about with coworkers or classmates the next day.

Over the last 10 years, reality TV has invaded America's living rooms with insane fervor.

Here's our list of reality TV leaders:

• The Real World. It's the Godfather of all reality TV shows. MTV was on to something when it decided to document "the true story of seven strangers, picked to live in a house to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real ...." In 1992, the first season, based in New York City, premiered. Eleven years later, The Real World still leads the reality show parade.

• Road Rules. Once again, MTV found a way to take something to the next level. Road Rules follows six strangers packed in a Winnebago. The players must complete tasks to earn money. If you're lucky you might be "picked for the road trip you'll never forget. Survive the adventures planned for you and you will be rewarded handsomely. So empty your pockets and we'll take care of the rest ..."

Both The Real World and Road Rules were chosen for our top five because they were the original reality shows, and both were created by MTV.

• American Idol. Eighties pop princess, Paula Abdul; Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award-winning 20-year music industry veteran; and finally our favorite cheeky bugger from across the pond, Simon Cowell, a multi-hit record producer and head of his own record label, S Records. These three music-industry legends judge America's 18-to-23-year-old vocal talent in search of America's ultimate pop idol. We picked this because it created such a frenzy among Generations X and Y that how could we not mention it?

• Survivor. CBS smelled the success MTV had with Real World and Road Rules and decided to give reality television a try. But the network took it to the next level. For the first season of Survivor, they took 16 people and stranded them on an island in the South China Sea for 39 days, competing in energy-draining challenges, living in vile conditions, and voting each other off the island. Why would someone want to stay on this deserted island? For the ultimate prize of $1 million and a Pontiac Aztec. Survivor was put on our list because it was the first major-network reality show, and its $1 million prize caused commotion in America.

• The Bachelor/ Bachelorette. In other words, "Breaking Hearts 101." The show starts out with a bachelor, or bachelorette, who goes on a series of dates and romantic adventures with 25 people of the opposite sex in search of his, or her, soul mate. Tears, fights, heartache, and drama are sure to ensue on this dating roller coaster. This show makes our list because of its romance and suspense. Plus, people of all ages enjoy it.

Written by Colleen Kissick

What's your favorite reality show and why?
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