Long before user-generated video clips dominated social media, they were the source of laughs and prize money on America’s Funniest Home Videos, which launched 35 years ago.
Series creator Vin Di Bona was fascinated by Japanese comedy programs featuring home footage, leading him to adapt one into the 1980s celebrity game show Animal Crack-Ups, hosted by Alan Thicke. In 1989, Di Bona discovered Japanese variety show Fun With Ken and Kato Chan, with two hosts quipping about viewer-submitted videos. He compiled an eight-minute pitch video using Japanese clips and enlisted Animal Crack-Ups writer Todd Thicke (Alan’s younger brother) for the pilot. Thicke tested the video out on friends and recalls actress Jane Seymour loving it but also expressing concern for anyone taking a spill.
“That was a really good note,” says Thicke, an executive producer until 2015. “We called it ‘recovery’ and always wanted to show that no one was really hurt.”
Before it even aired, the show ran magazine ads soliciting clip submissions. On Nov. 26, 1989, ABC debuted AFV as a primetime special before launching a full season that January, with Bob Saget — already a network fixture with Full House — as host. Saget stepped away in 1997, but the evergreen series remained strong with Tom Bergeron as the lead for 15 seasons.
Season 35 launched last month, with host Alfonso Ribeiro returning for his 10th year. He proudly cites AFV as a forebear to platforms like YouTube and TikTok. “AFV is the grandfather to all the social media channels and created an entire generation who are used to watching things on TV this way,” Ribeiro says. “My goal is to be right back here when [we’re celebrating] the 45th season.”
This story appeared in the Oct. 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
