Six Strangers Picked to Live in a House
While there was An American Family before The Real World, that '70s PBS series was closer to a traditional documentary than what we know today as reality TV. RW really changed the game by casting strangers, as if they were casting a scripted show, and by putting them together in a contrived fishbowl to see what unfolded. It's doubtful that the late Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray imagined the debauchery that would still be happening 20 years later when they launched the program, but those of us who tuned in to that first New York season knew we were watching something special and different from anything else on the small screen -- a pop culture phenomenon in the making. (You can read our old recaps of the show for a blast from the past.)

Celebreality
VH1 may have co-opted the term, but MTV was the first one to take a family of famous people and film their daily interactions. We may have only known Ozzy when The Osbournes started, but Sharon, Kelly and Jack all became household names as they screamed at each other and let their dogs have the run of the place. (Get Our Osbournes recaps.) The network shortly thereafter introduced us to the private lives of Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson on Newlyweds, changing how I considered a can of tuna forever.

Let's Make it a Competition
Before Survivor hit the U.S. or The Amazing Race took off globetrotting, there was Road Rules . Basically it was Real World on wheels, but with missions and prizes. That series is now kaput, giving way to the much more addictive Challenge, but as far as competitive reality goes, it was one of the first in the US to reach any sort of big audience.

"Real" Rich People Do Things
Long before the Housewives of everywhere invaded cable, we were introduced to an entitled bunch of teens (and to some extent their families) with Laguna Beach. Seeing how these rich kids spent their time and money was ridiculous. By which I mean, I was glued to the TV... and then was compelled against my better sense of judgment to watch the entirety of The Hills as well.

Making Beautiful Music Together
Singing/talent competitions aren't exactly a new format -- after all, Star Search is approximately one hundred years. But before Idol, MTV sought out wannabe singers for a chance at fame with Making the Band. Oh, O-Town... how semi-fondly I remember thee.

Because Americans Never Tire of Idiots
There were hidden camera shows before Punk'd, but never one where a quasi-celebrity perpetrated the misdeeds, but still, that show wasn't quite as groundbreaking as Jackass. The Johnny Knoxville series caused near riots with the awful and dangerous behavior that it perpetrated, but countless shows have followed in its footsteps. But really, can anything top the first time you see someone staple their own genitals to their legs? America's Funniest Home Videos just doesn't hold the same appeal after that.

We Hope You Like Orange People
Again, providing that they were television pioneers, MTV unleashed all that is Jersey upon our airwaves. And while there are plenty of imitators, few Jersey-set series have the name recognition or the catchphrases that Jersey Shore does. For better or worse, we know about the GTL regiment and learned that if we want to party and pee behind a bar, than Seaside is the place to be.

Obviously, MTV aired some reality duds along the way: The City, Celebrity Rap Superstar, Rich Girls and Tiara Girls, among them. And the less said about anything Tila Tequila related, the better. But it's the network's birthday, so why dwell the disastrous? (We'll save that for another day.)

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