Whatever finally comes to be considered the Golden Age of reality TV, the phenomenon's roots lie in earlier decades. Consider "Candid Camera," which got its giggles by ambush, or "Law and Order," which was among the first to examine real cops in action.
'Candid Camera'
Air dates: 1948-1950
'Seven Up!'
Air dates: 1964-present
'An American Family'
Air dates: 1973
'America's Most Wanted'
Air dates: 1988-present
'The Real World'
Air dates: 1992-present
'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'
Air dates: 1998-present
'Survivor'
Air dates: 2000-present
'Big Brother'
Air dates: 2000-present
'Jackass'
Air dates: 2000-2002
'Trading Spaces'
Air dates: 2000-2008
'Fear Factor'
Air dates: 2001-2006
'The Amazing Race'
Air dates: 2001-present
'Project Greenlight'
Air dates: 2001-2005
'The Bachelor'
Air dates: 2002-present
'American Idol'
Air dates: 2002-present
'The Osbournes'
Air dates: 2002-2005
'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'
Air dates: 2003-2007
'Monster Garage'
Air dates: 2002-2006
'Joe Millionaire'
Air dates: 2003
'America's Next Top Model'
Air dates: 2003-present
'The Biggest Loser'
Air dates: 2004-present
'The Dog Whisperer'
Air dates: 2004-present
'Deadliest Catch'
Air dates: 2005-present
'Dancing With the Stars'
Air time: 2005-present
'Project Runway'
Air dates: 2004-present
'The Real Housewives of Orange County'
Air dates: 2006--present
'Little People, Big World'
Air dates: 2006-2010
'The Bad Girls Club'
Air dates: 2006-present
'Jon & Kate Plus 8'
Air dates: 2007-2009
'Keeping Up With the Kardashians'
Air dates: 2007-present
'Pawn Stars'
Air dates: 2009-present
'Hoarders'
Air dates: 2009-present
'Undercover Boss'
Air dates: 2009-2010
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