The reality show idea was allegedly inspired by An American Family. Broadcast on PBS in 1973, it’s been largely catalogued as the first reality series. Yet, that was notably a documentary, capturing the experiences of a California nuclear family.
The show Family inspired is also considered television’s first reality show. It’s definitely the precursor to the modern version. Producers Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray put together MTV’s The Real World. Unlike the previous Family, Real World was about creating a situation and putting people in it.
Bunim knew how to generate drama long before entering any real worlds. Throughout the 70s and 80s, she exec-produced many of television’s top soap operas, Search for Tomorrow (a program she watched religiously while in college), Santa Barbara, As the World Turns and Loving. She was already working extensively with Murray when they formed Bunim/Murray Productions. Commissioned to develop a television show that was deemed too expensive, the duo instead created an ‘unscripted soap,’ the beginning of the reality show idea.
The Real World changed the face of television. Road Rules came next from Bunim and Murray. With a niche firmly in place, Bunim’s company masterminded the reality program and the reality game show. Over the years, Bunim co-created Making the Band, Love Cruise and Challenge. Her company also produced The Real Cancun, a reality feature film. The Simple Life was a smash hit on FOX, encouraging the reality show idea that anyone can be a star. Without it, there’s no Kardashians, no Bad Girls or Housewives. As a matter of fact, Bunim’s company is responsible for those first two shows.
Not surprisingly, Bunim has been called the mother of the reality show idea. Despite a high profile and successful career in broadcasting, she lived a quiet, private life. Not much is known about Bunim outside of her life as writer and producer. She was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on July 9, 1946. She attended Fordham University in the Bronx.
She got a job as secretary on her favorite soap, Search for Tomorrow. She moved up the production ladder until given the title of executive producer. She introduced what became a classic promotion push on soaps, on location shoots around the globe. She pushed for orchestral music, giving each show a unique sound. She also worked for New World Entertainment on programming for children, as well as daytime and late night audiences.
After connecting with Murray, Bunim spent years developing ideas based on their mutual interests in confessional storytelling. None of their scripted pilots ever aired, including Crime Diaries, a show about fictional detectives that solved real crimes. Definitely a eerie forerunner of Law & Order, which proudly proclaimed to rip stories from the headlines.
It was after 1992 when The Real World was unveiled that Bunim and Murray cemented their forte and reputation. They even incorporated the confessional storytelling technique with booths where the characters talk privately into a camera. This is a staple that still stands with reality shows, utilized by Survivor, The Apprentice, Big Brother and relationship shows like The Bachelor.
Mary-Ellis Bunim died in 2004 after a long battle with cancer, living behind a daughter, Juliana.
Bunim was recently inducted posthumously into the Television Hall of Fame, recognized for her body of work and influence on the industry. Do you have an idea for a new TV show, movie or webisode?
Click here to submit your idea.
The show Family inspired is also considered television’s first reality show. It’s definitely the precursor to the modern version. Producers Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray put together MTV’s The Real World. Unlike the previous Family, Real World was about creating a situation and putting people in it.
Bunim knew how to generate drama long before entering any real worlds. Throughout the 70s and 80s, she exec-produced many of television’s top soap operas, Search for Tomorrow (a program she watched religiously while in college), Santa Barbara, As the World Turns and Loving. She was already working extensively with Murray when they formed Bunim/Murray Productions. Commissioned to develop a television show that was deemed too expensive, the duo instead created an ‘unscripted soap,’ the beginning of the reality show idea.
The Real World changed the face of television. Road Rules came next from Bunim and Murray. With a niche firmly in place, Bunim’s company masterminded the reality program and the reality game show. Over the years, Bunim co-created Making the Band, Love Cruise and Challenge. Her company also produced The Real Cancun, a reality feature film. The Simple Life was a smash hit on FOX, encouraging the reality show idea that anyone can be a star. Without it, there’s no Kardashians, no Bad Girls or Housewives. As a matter of fact, Bunim’s company is responsible for those first two shows.
Not surprisingly, Bunim has been called the mother of the reality show idea. Despite a high profile and successful career in broadcasting, she lived a quiet, private life. Not much is known about Bunim outside of her life as writer and producer. She was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on July 9, 1946. She attended Fordham University in the Bronx.
She got a job as secretary on her favorite soap, Search for Tomorrow. She moved up the production ladder until given the title of executive producer. She introduced what became a classic promotion push on soaps, on location shoots around the globe. She pushed for orchestral music, giving each show a unique sound. She also worked for New World Entertainment on programming for children, as well as daytime and late night audiences.
After connecting with Murray, Bunim spent years developing ideas based on their mutual interests in confessional storytelling. None of their scripted pilots ever aired, including Crime Diaries, a show about fictional detectives that solved real crimes. Definitely a eerie forerunner of Law & Order, which proudly proclaimed to rip stories from the headlines.
It was after 1992 when The Real World was unveiled that Bunim and Murray cemented their forte and reputation. They even incorporated the confessional storytelling technique with booths where the characters talk privately into a camera. This is a staple that still stands with reality shows, utilized by Survivor, The Apprentice, Big Brother and relationship shows like The Bachelor.
Mary-Ellis Bunim died in 2004 after a long battle with cancer, living behind a daughter, Juliana.
Bunim was recently inducted posthumously into the Television Hall of Fame, recognized for her body of work and influence on the industry. Do you have an idea for a new TV show, movie or webisode?
Click here to submit your idea.
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