Moderator Allen Funt smiles on ‘Candid Camera’ (1948-1990)
In a snapshot from the enduring reality series “Candid Camera,” the show’s creator and host, Allen Funt, flashes a cheerful smile while posing next to a woman holding a sign bearing the show’s title. Known as America’s beloved hidden camera and practical joke humor reality TV series, “Candid Camera” evolved from Funt’s radio creation, initially known as “The Candid Microphone,” with its first radio broadcast on June 28, 1947.
The show seamlessly transitioned to television, airing its first episode on August 10, 1948, captivating audiences across the United States and continuing its run well into the 1970s. Throughout the series, unsuspecting participants encountered delightfully absurd scenarios and objects, such as talking mailboxes and the unexpected return of a fingerless bowling ball. Participants’ reactions ranged from utter bewilderment to a shared moment of recognition upon being greeted with the familiar catchphrase, “Smile! You’re on Candid Camera.”
