America's Funniest Home Videos

This was TV's first true "reality show," and boy, was it a doozy! It must have been a revolutionary concept at the time; but now, twelve years later, it's become lodged in our cultural consciousness.

But enough content analysis. This show was great! Where else could people win thousands of dollars for sharing their embarrassing moments with the entire country? And host Bob Saget was the icing on the cake. The video clips just wouldn't have been as funny without his zany voiceovers, in which he imitated everybody from Jerry Lewis to Sylvester Stallone. We usually saw him as "straight man" Danny Tanner on "Full House," so it was cool to see him be goofy for a change.

Many people have condemned this show for being mean-spirited and exploitative. That is a very unfair accusation. Obviously the producers at ABC got permission to use the tapes sent in by the people in them, and you could tell from the audience's reaction that it was always in good fun. And if you can't laugh at yourself getting whacked in the crotch by a golf club, how are you supposed to laugh at the antics of the Three Stooges or Itchy and Scratchy?

Kudos to this show, which proved once and for all that real life could be more hilarious than any Hollywood comedy. I just wish that Bob hadn't turned the reins over to Daisy Fuentes and John Fugelsang.

I was amazed of how many unsatisfied comments there were for AFHV. This is one of the few shows that ever got me and my family together. This is one of those special shows that bring the family together and spend some quality time. There are some very funny things that happen. I have to agree that some of the videos aren't funny. But there were plenty to make up for it. I don't like seeing things get hurt when they could be severely hurt. But what was sent in never bothered me. I still enjoy this show even though I'm grown up. And I am more mature than most other people my age. As for Bob Sagat. I don't think he's a bad host. He isn't the best, but he has a few that are funny. This is a high quality family get together show. It's better than some of the shows of today.

I admit, I am an AFV fan. I sometimes laugh so hard I cry, and I never miss it. If you like slapstick humor, this is very funny. But some of the clips sent in make me think- "What kind of a parent does this?"

For example, one clip was of a kid climbing a high tree and then falling down. In the background you hear the mother laughing. Shouldn't she be running over to see if her kid was okay? I would. Be concerned, don't show it to millions of viewers.

And some things are very unrealistic. For example, one clip was of a kid eating a sandwich in his kitchen, and then the dog jumped up and bit into it. Funny, but who really tapes their kid eating a sandwich? It looks planned to me. But who am I to say.

Another clip was of a 10-12 year old child picking their nose. Good for a laugh, but what kind of a parent embarrasses their child like that? It's all in good fun, but could you imagine millions of people watching you? All for a laugh?

Don't get me wrong- I like the show. It's one of my favorites. I just think that some of the clips aren't funny, or are mean.

7/10.

It has definitely declined from host to host. I believe Tom Bergeron and Bob Saget were iconic compared to having Carlton host.

The humor just seems more forced from the host and it's always the same acts that win.

America conflates cute with funny. Submit a cute baby video and you could win big.

The most funny acts hardly ever win or make it to the finals.

Eventually, I lost interest in viewing regularly for this reason....

It's a classic for it's earlier years, but I'd only recommend viewing if you have absolutely nothing else to watch

6/10- Michael I.

I registered just so I could reply with "mmm pointy" in regards to "See, you tune in expecting comedy, and walk away gagging yourself with a pointy stick." and furthermore I agree wholeheartedly. The only other thing I can think of regarding home videos and pictures is the infamous slide shows I remember people having in the 70's. The commentary is horrible, the Hollywood Squares yosh was bad, but nothing like Bob Saget! That dude sucked on, what was it, full house! Will people just laugh at anything or do they need some help with THC? It's also amazing at the good things they kill off and the crap they leave on the air for years on end. At least the Simpson's are still on...