''Totally Hidden Video'' is an American hidden-camera television show and
game show
A game show (or gameshow) is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment where contestants compete in a game for rewards. The shows are typically directed by a game show host, host, who explains the rules of the program as well as commentating a ...
that aired from 1989 to 1992. It was one of the early shows in the history of the
Fox television network and held the highest viewing share for any Fox program at one point.
It was produced by Quantum Media and Fox.
The show premiered on Sunday, July 9, 1989. Steve Skrovan was the program's first host,
later replaced by Mark Pitta in 1991.
Shortly after its debut, a game segment called ''Totally Homemade Videos'' was added to the show. In this segment, contestants sent in their funny videos to win a $10,000 prize, the winners of which were announced by Skrovan at the end of every episode - very similar to the format used by rival series ''
America's Funniest Home Videos''.
Controversy
The show was accused of using paid actors in a lawsuit filed against the Fox Broadcasting Co. by ''
Candid Cameras creator
Allen Funt,
who also accused the show of stealing his ideas.
While the producers admitted that the series pilot had staged some of the "setups", they swore all skits which made it to air were legitimate. However, in the wake of the controversy, series producer
Larry Hovis
Larry Hovis (February 20, 1936 – September 9, 2003) was an American singer and actor best known for the 1960s television sitcom '' Hogan's Heroes''.
Early life and career
Hovis was born in Wapato, Washington, and moved to Houston, Texas, as ...
was fired for staging incidents.
In popular culture
On an episode of ''
Saved By the Bell
''Saved by the Bell'' is an American television teen sitcom created by Sam Bobrick for NBC. The series premiered, in prime time, on August 20, 1989, a Sunday night. Targeted at kids and teens, ''Saved by the Bell'' was broadcast in the United ...
'', Zack Morris references the show by claiming someone is on it in an effort to save face.
In the season 5 "Triple Play" episode of ''
The Golden Girls
''The Golden Girls'' is an American sitcom created by Susan Harris that aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992, with a total of 180 half-hour episodes, spanning seven seasons. The show's ensemble cast stars Beatrice Arthur, Betty ...
'', when Blanche calls off a scheme to meet wealthy men by claiming to be selling an expensive car, Sophia tries to help Blanche save face by telling the men that the whole thing was a setup for ''Totally Hidden Video'', and that she's actually
Kaye Ballard in disguise.
See also
*''
Candid Camera''
References
External links
*{{IMDb title, 0096714
American hidden camera television series
Fox Broadcasting Company game shows
Fox Broadcasting Company reality television shows
1989 American television series debuts
1992 American television series endings
1980s American comedy game shows
1990s American comedy game shows
1980s American reality television series
1990s American reality television series
1980s American sketch comedy television series
1990s American sketch comedy television series
American English-language television shows