The past is explored best at your local library
It’s easy to think of reality TV as being an invention of the current times, but a little research turns up shows that date back to television’s infancy. Game shows were an early staple, for example, as were talk shows. But probably the first reality show was Candid Camera, which debuted on TV in 1948.It was adapted from another medium, having begun on the radio as Candid Microphone. Some version of it was still on the air as late as 2004!
I admit I am usually not a big fan of reality TV, at least not the kind that features toddlers, tiaras, or muscle-bound men from New Jersey. But there is a subcategory within the reality genre that I find infinitely interesting-the “time travel” shows produced by PBS.
From the safety of my home, I can watch other people go back in time and endure the hardships and challenges of earlier eras-including weeks without soap! Here are some series I’ve enjoyed and recommended:
o Frontier House: Three modern families have to rough it on a recreated 1883 Montana frontier. Hygiene was a real challenge then, to say nothing of the lack of conveniences. Watching their struggles makes me appreciate my shampoo, washing machine and DVR!
o The 1900 House: In this series, a modern English family agrees to live as if they lived in 1900. All modern elements were removed from the house they lived in, including electricity, insulation, indoor toilet and central heating.
o The 1940s House: Here a modern family endures the challenge of domestic life on Britain’s homefront in a re-creation of a World War II household. Their “war-time” experience includes rationing and increasingly frequent air-raids.
Another PBS reality show that offers a glimpse of times past is An American Family. This breakthrough series from the 1970s chronicled the real lives of the Loud family from California. For seven months, the family played out their lives in front of the camera, including the breakup of the parents’ marriage and the coming out of Lance Loud, one of the first openly gay people on TV.
For a show that brilliantly parodies reality show time travel, check out the “Helter-Shelter” episode of The Simpsons. Homer, Marge and kids are selected to relocate to a Victorian house, where they must live as if it was the year 1895. Let’s just say they don’t adapt well.
Ready to try out a little reality TV for yourself? The Capital Area District Library has all of these series and episodes in our collection at cadl.org/catalog. Even Candid Camera is available through the Michigan Electronic Library system.
The Capital Area District Library Marketing Department is located at 401 S. Capitol Avenue in Lansing, MI. Contact them at (517) 367-6355 or by e-mail at mclarya@cadl.org.
This was printed in the July 1, 2012 – July 14, 2012 Edition
