American Idol "went wrong" on Season 1, Episode 1, although to be fair, "Reality TV" went wrong on Season 1 episode 1 of survivor....
I guess there were a few of those "Candid Camera" shows to precede it, but as far as TV realizing that they could cut costs by not paying the "actors" and still totally scripting everything, well, that was Survivor.
I don't mind some of it, like that show "Fear Factor," that was.... It was special, somehow. I think my favorite season was the one with the bull riding in it, I mean a lot of those challenges seemed like actively dangerous, not just gross and frightening but still fairly safe.
I really enjoyed watching what people would try to do for 50K. The other good season was when they had couples on there and they had to "compete as a team" and well, it was really cut
throat.
America's Next Top model was another classic for me, I loved watching Tyra Banks abuse the "models" and insult them and stuff and her wacky band of alphabet sycophants.
I had to stop watching it because my 12 year old said, "Mom, Tyra Banks has charisma!" and I was like, "Son, that's not charisma that's a set of personality disorders and a boob job." I was terrified for awhile I was gonna get a "Tyra Banks" daughter in law, but it turns out he is fairly sane over women, in fact his one true love was like this sweet little fetal alcohol syndrome but not super bad, however at the time had a drinking problem to rival, um, IDK someone with a really bad drinking problem. He tried dating her for a while (my kiddo always goes after the runt of the litter,) and he said he "Just couldn't" anymore. I was like "Aw honey maybe you can hang out with her and be a good influence, she might change...." he replied, "No, Mom you can't hang out with someone like that on any sort of long term basis and not drink with them it's just not doable...."
My kid was wise and like, he was crushed when she got rehomed and got her act together and there was much lamenting because she was with another dude, but well, Colorado is a fresh start. Right now he's dating some chick connected to the X games somehow, so I figure she's hot and adventurous.

I am in no way implying reality TV is "good." It isn't. It's just, there are still plenty of good TV shows, and as for me I enjoy BOTH the good and bad in life, no harm in it. I like to cast a wide net. LOL.
Anna