The 40 most popular 1970s reality TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.


The Price Is Right
1972 · US
"Come on down!" The Price Is Right features a wide variety of games and contests with the same basic challenge: Guess the prices of everyday (or not-quite-everyday) retail items.


Midi Première
1975 · FR
Midi Première is a French variety show presented by Danièle Gilbert, directed by Jacques Pierre and broadcast from January 6, 1975 until January 1, 1982 on TF1. The program was generally broadcast between 12:15 p.m. and 12:55 p.m., then giving way to the 1:00 p.m. TV news. However, the broadcast schedule could change, depending on the guests, and the setting where the recording of the program was shot. Certain performances by artists who have become cult like the one where Ringo jostles with a demonstrator in interpretation (1977), that of Dalida with the title There is always a song with the soundtrack that does not start, twice, at the right speed (1978), Claude François and his Clodettes, who, in the provinces, are unable to join "the set" in order to interpret his song, the latter being taken by the crowd of delirious fans (summer 1977) . The group Supertramp performed there with the title "Dreamer" on March 8, 1975.


This Old House
1979 · US
TV's original home-improvement show, following one whole-house renovation over several episodes.


Midi trente
1972 · FR
No overview available


Numéro un
1975 · FR
A French variety show.


Dalli Dalli
1971 · DE
No overview available


Die Montagsmaler
1974
No overview available
Die Pyramide
Die Pyramide
1979 · DE
No overview available
Ein Kessel Buntes
Ein Kessel Buntes
1972 · XG
The show was meant to compete with those on West German television. To this end it was fairly successful even attracting a following in parts of West Germany which could receive Eastern TV. Its production values were high. Apart from song and dance numbers and appearances from East German celebrities, almost every broadcast featured well-known stars from the west, often after their popularity had peaked in their home countries.
Der große Preis
Der große Preis
1974 · DE
No overview available


Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest
1972 · US
A much cherished annual tradition since 1972, the show includes special musical performances, reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe and the traditional countdown to midnight along with the iconic Times Square ball drop.


Cérémonie des César
1976 · FR
The César Awards are cinematographic awards created in 1976 and presented annually in Paris to professionals of the 7th art in various categories to recognize the best French productions. They are often cited as the French equivalent of the Oscars in the United States.


Os Ossos do Barão
1973 · BR
No overview available


Sinal de Alerta
1978 · BR
No overview available


Salário Mínimo
1978 · BR
No overview available


Les Jeux de 20 heures
1976 · FR
No overview available


Rockpalast
1974 · DE
No overview available


What? Where? When?
1975 · RU
What? Where? When? is an intellectual game show well known in Russian-language media and other CIS states since mid-1970s. Today it is produced for television by TV Igra on the Russian Channel One and also exists as a competitive game played in clubs organized by the World Association of Clubs. Over 17 000 teams worldwide play sport version of game, based on the TV show.


The Generation Game
1971 · UK
The Generation Game was a British game show produced by the BBC in which four teams of two competed to win prizes. The programme was first broadcast in 1971 under the title Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game and ran until 1982, and again from 1990 until 2002. The show was based on the Dutch TV show Een van de acht, "One of the Eight", the format devised in 1969 by Theo Uittenbogaard for VARA Television. Mrs. Mies Bouwman - a popular Dutch talk show host and presenter of the show - came up with the idea of the conveyor belt. She had seen it on a German programme and wanted to incorporate it into the show. Another antecedent for the gameshow was 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium' on ATV, which had a game called Beat the Clock, taken from an American gameshow. It featured married couples playing silly games within a certain time to win prize money. This was hosted by Bruce Forsyth from 1958, and he took the idea with him when he went over to the BBC.
Bel-Ami
Bel-Ami
1972 · BR
No overview available
Os Apóstolos de Judas
Os Apóstolos de Judas
1976 · BR
No overview available


Auf los geht's los
1977 · DE
No overview available


The World's Strongest Man
1977 · UK
Athletes compete for a place in the World Finals.
One Man and His Dog
One Man and His Dog
1976 · UK
One Man and His Dog is a television series in the United Kingdom featuring sheepdog trials, originally presented by Phil Drabble, with commentary by Eric Halsall and, later, by Ray Ollerenshaw. In 1994, Robin Page replaced Drabble as the main presenter. Gus Dermody took over as commentator. At its peak, in the early 1980s, it attracted audiences in excess of eight million. The last regular series aired in 1999; however, the same year also saw the first of a series of Christmas specials, which continued annually until 2011, which have been contested by teams of shepherds from the four nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, in the three categories of Singles, Brace and Young Handlers. Dermody has remained as a commentator ever since. The main hosts have been Clarissa Dickson Wright, followed by Ben Fogle with co-host Shauna Lowry, and Kate Humble. Matt Baker joined the programme as a co-commentator in 2006, and additionally became the main host in 2011. In 2012, the show was broadcast in two parts in September, and Baker was joined as a main presenter by Michaela Strachan. In July 2013, it was announced that One Man and His Dog is to have a new home on BBC One, as part of rural affairs show Countryfile.


BBC Young Musician
1978 · UK
BBC Young Musician (Young Musician of the Year) first appeared on our TV screens in 1978. The brainchild of BBC producers Humphrey Burton, Walter Todds and Roy Tipping, the biennial competition has developed an enviable reputation for finding superstar musicians including Nicola Benedetti, Mark Simpson and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.


Celebrity Bowling
1971 · US
Celebrity Bowling was an American syndicated sports series hosted by Jed Allan that ran from January 16, 1971 to September 1978. The series was produced in Los Angeles at Metromedia Square, the studios of KTTV. Each week, the show featured four celebrities, on a pair of AMF or Brunswick lanes installed inside KTTV's studios, pitted against each other in teams of two. Victorious teams won prizes for studio audience members based upon the level of winning scores. The weekly series was a by-product of The Celebrity Bowling Classic, a 90-minute TV special produced in 1969 for the Metromedia-owned stations, benefitting the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Joe Siegman created the series, and he and Don Gregory produced 144 episodes for their 7-10 Productions.


The American Film Institute Salute to ...
1973 · US
In 1973 the American Film Institute initiated its Life Achievement Award, to be presented to a yearly recipient whose talent has fundamentally advanced the film art; whose accomplishments have been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.


TV Party
1978 · US
TV Party was a public-access television cable TV show in New York City that ran from 1978 to 1982. Glenn O'Brien was the host. Chris Stein, the co-founder of the pop band Blondie, was the co-host and Walter "Doc" Steding was the leader of the TV Party orchestra. Amos Poe was the director. Guests included Mick Jones, David Byrne, Debbie Harry, James Chance and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Brink Films has re-released some of the best of the 80 plus episodes on DVD, as well as a documentary about the TV show.


MBC Drama Awards
1974 · KR
To celebrate the end of the year, the hottest actors, producers, and writers gather at the MBC Drama Awards. In 2018, there were many dramas that captured the heart of the viewers. What will be the show that has been loved the most by viewers? Who will be the best actor of 2018?
Je später der Abend
Je später der Abend
1973 · DE
No overview available


Masquerade
1979 · JP
Masquerade (Kasou Taishou) is a semi-annual show on NTV in which various amateur groups perform short skits, which are rated by a panel of judges. Especially in recent years, many of the skits have revolved around clever methods of "faking" cinematic special effects on a live stage. The show is hosted by Kinichi Hagimoto and Katori Shingo. Worldwide, the most famous of these skits, and among the most successful at "fake special effects" was a skit which is widely known as "Matrix ping pong".
Drei mal neun
Drei mal neun
1970 · DE
No overview available


Soul Train
1971 · US
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from 1971 to 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who also served as its first host and executive producer. Production was suspended following the 2005–06 season, with a rerun package airing for two years after that. As a nod to Soul Train's longevity, the show's opening sequence contained a claim that it was the "longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history," with over 1,100 episodes produced from the show's debut through the 2005-06 season. Despite the production hiatus, Soul Train will continue to hold this honor until at least 2016, if and when its nearest competitor, Entertainment Tonight, completes its 35th season.
Telespiele
Telespiele
1977 · DE
No overview available
Wie würden Sie entscheiden?
Wie würden Sie entscheiden?
1974 · DE
No overview available


Plattenküche
1976 · DE
No overview available


NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest
1976 · US
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The contest was inaugurated by the American Basketball Association (ABA) at its All-Star Game in 1976 in Denver, the same year the slam dunk was legalized in the NCAA. As a result of the ABA–NBA merger later that year there would not be another slam dunk contest at the professional level until 1984. The contest has adopted several formats over the years, including, until 2014, the use of fan voting, via text-messaging, to determine the winner of the final round.


The Hui Brothers Show
1971 · HK
The Hui Brothers Show is a Hong Kong sketch comedy television series produced by TVB and hosted by and starring brothers Michael Hui and Samuel Hui that ran for 52 episodes from 1971 to 1973.
Anneliese Rothenberger gibt sich die Ehre
Anneliese Rothenberger gibt sich die Ehre
1971 · DE
No overview available


Pot-Bouille
1972 · FR
No overview available
1970s television grew markedly more socially engaged, with sitcoms and dramas taking on subject matter the previous decade wouldn't touch.
Reality television spans competition formats, documentary-style follow shows, and dating series. It's the most-watched and least-written-about corner of TV, and its formats travel internationally better than almost anything else.