Tag: John Barbour

Entertainment Real People Channel

Real People: The Forgotten 1980s Show That Created Reality TV 0 (0)

Real People was the NBC show that accidentally invented reality TV — and almost nobody remembers it did. Before Survivor, before COPS, before America’s Funniest Home Videos, there was Real People (1979–1984), the quirky little show where the stars were ordinary Americans instead of Hollywood celebrities. Hosted by Sarah Purcell, John Barbour, Skip Stephenson, Byron Allen, Fred Willard, and a young Peter Billingsley, and produced by Laugh-In creator George Schlatter, it climbed from a six-episode test run to one of the highest-rated shows in America — and quietly launched the entire reality television genre. —– 0:00 — Intro 0:36 — [See More…]

Comedy Real People Channel

Rent-a-Casket Lady | Real People | George Schlatter 0 (0)

She’s called the Casket Queen by those in the know, but you can call her whatever you want at your next party. She’s represented the death of single days at bachelor parties and has also mastered a good old fashioned creepy presence for Halloween parties. Defying description, Real People went on to become a huge hit for NBC during its five years, giving rise to many imitators and eventually creating the genre, reality television…brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.

Comedy Real People Channel

Andre the Seal | Real People | George Schlatter 0 (0)

Harbomaster Harry Goodridge needed a diving buddy. He found that and a whole lot more in Andre, the seal. The trained seal captured the hearts of locals in Rockport, Maine. Their story went on to become a book and movie. Defying description, Real People went on to become a huge hit for NBC during its five years, giving rise to many imitators and eventually creating the genre, reality television…brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.

Comedy Real People Channel

The Brave Belly Whistler | Real People | George Schlatter 0 (0)

For 25 years, Ben Rudd has been putting make-up on his belly and entertaining crowds by the dozens. Well, now his wife puts lipstick on his growing stomach and the crowds have — remained the same. Defying description, Real People went on to become a huge hit for NBC during its five years, giving rise to many imitators and eventually creating the genre, reality television…brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.

Comedy Real People Channel

Ladies Night Out | Real People | George Schlatter 0 (0)

Fred Willard visits a women’s club that turns the tables on men by making them the object of admiring eyes — 6,000 pair of them — and letting them strut their stuff. Defying description, Real People went on to become a huge hit for NBC during its five years, giving rise to many imitators and eventually creating the genre, reality television…brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.

Comedy Real People Channel

The Aurora, Texas Spaceman | Real People | George Schlatter 0 (0)

Back in 1897, Aurora Texas was a dwindling town. Spotted fever was just one of the tragedies that sent residents packing. Then in April of that year, a space craft crashed in a field and an alien was located and buried in the local cemetery. Some swear they witnessed the event and others say it was a hoax designed to bring people back to the town. Defying description, Real People went on to become a huge hit for NBC during its five years, giving rise to many imitators and eventually creating the genre, reality television…brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.

Comedy Real People Channel

Bill Underwood’s Defendo | Real People | George Schlatter 0 (0)

Bill Underwood developed and teaches the art of defendo, an unarmed self-defense. He’s in his 80s and still trains law enforcement officers, the military, and women on college campuses. Defying description, Real People went on to become a huge hit for NBC during its five years, giving rise to many imitators and eventually creating the genre, reality television…brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.

Comedy Real People Channel

Barroom Brawls | Real People | George Schlatter 0 (0)

Arizona’s Malapai Inn gives punch drunk new meaning. Inspired by the Rocky movie, promoter Billy Grier has a way for bar patrons to get their aggression out and entertain the crowd. Defying description, Real People went on to become a huge hit for NBC during its five years, giving rise to many imitators and eventually creating the genre, reality television…brought to you by SloppBoxx.Com.