I have to plead guilty to being a “Sylvaniaphile.” When some self-righteous polling entity says that the average American watches about three hours of TV a day, I figure I'm about average.

My old man bought our first TV in the early '50s. It was a 12-inch, black-and-white Sylvania floor model and cost $400. I've been watching the glowing eyeball of popular culture for lo these last 50 years.

There is no more informative method of getting a feel for the attitudes of America than following the development of the quiz show. The first one I remember was “You Bet Your Life,” starring Groucho Marx. Groucho would have guests on two at a time, and for 10 or 15 minutes he harmlessly poked fun at them while puffing his signature cigars and pogo-sticking his eyebrows in a lascivious manner. Once they finally got down to the questions for cash the show kind of petered out.

The first reality TV show I can recall is “Queen for a Day,” hosted by Jack Bailey. On the show, three blowsy, world-weary housewives were trotted out to tell their stories to a studio audience.