America's Funniest Home Videos (often simply abbreviated to AFV, previously AFHV), is an American reality television program on ABC in which viewers are able to send in humorous homemade videotapes. The most common videos usually feature slapstick physical comedy arising from accidents and mishaps. Other popular videos include humorous situations involving pets or children, while some are staged practical jokes. The show is based on the Japanese show Fun TV with Kato-chan and Ken-chan (aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System).
It was announced on February 28th that AFV had been renewed for its 19th season. [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?date=02/28/08&id=20080228abc02]
"America's Funniest Home Videos" was inspired by a series of successful TV specials, where home viewers were invited to send in videotapes of their "funniest" moments. In "AFHV," host Saget provided commentary to the home videos which often showed wedding and sports bloopers, children and pets either being themselves or getting into trouble, furniture or other objects giving way (usually contributing to someone's fall) and "comical" reactions to getting inadvertently hit (usually in the groin). Sometimes, certain videos were grouped into themes, such as Christmas or a summer vacation, or had sentimental value to them, such as a marriage proposal; other times, videos were set to classic rock tunes. The top three videos of the week as selected by the producers were eligible for each week's $10,000 top prize; the audience would electronically vote for their one favorite video. Weekly winners got to compete in a later special for a $100,000 top prize. Written by Brian Rathjen
During the 80's, many shows featuring TV and movie 'out-takes' and celebrity goofs became extremely popular. This program took the next logical step by cashing in on the rising sales of home video cameras and inviting people to film their own embarrassing moments. Thousands of people sent in videos of themselves doing 'humorous' things, either accidentally or intentionally, in the hopes of winning prizes and getting to appear on national TV. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher
