Caught on tape: ‘AFV’ nears 900 episodes with premiere of 34th season
With countless hosts, more than 850 episodes and decades of history on broadcast television, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” returns with new episodes when Season 34 premieres Sunday, Oct. 1, on ABC.
As we prepare for the return of funny animal videos and pranks gone wrong, Season 1 of this series — the network’s longest-running primetime entertainment show — often feels like it aired in the not-so-distant past. “AFV,” however, is now legally old enough to drive, to vote, to rent a car — and no matter how it changes and grows, it tickles our funny bones just the same way.
What started as a television special in 1989 (itself based on the Japanese variety show “Fun TV with Kato-chan and Ken-chan”) quickly became a regular weekly series, as Bob Saget (“Full House”) took the lead as host and welcomed American viewers to the quirky world of “AFV.” Since its inception, the show’s format has stayed mostly the same, shining a spotlight on everyday people as viewers, fans and pranksters alike submit hilarious home videos involving everything from outrageous physical comedy and wildly intelligent toddlers to “trick shots” gone wrong and marriage proposal mishaps.
The submitted clips are played in front of a live studio audience who then vote on the funniest videos of the week. Each episode, the first palace winner is awarded a cash prize and offered the opportunity to return for the series’ next competition round, where they vie for a much larger prize — now, a purse set at $100,000. This continues until the end of the season, when previous winners compete for even more cash and an exclusive, all-inclusive vacation package.
Some little details, however, have changed. Saget retired after Season 8, when “AFV” then ran occasional special episodes hosted by various actors and comedians. Two years later, Tom Bergeron (“Hollywood Squares”) took on the role, then acted as the face of “AFV” for the next 15 years.
Current viewers would recognize “Dancing with the Stars” alum Alfonso Ribeiro (also of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-air”) as the series’ latest steadfast captain. Ribeiro hosted through the series’ historic 30th season and saw the show make history as it pivoted to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing a new segment called “AFV@HOME.”
Now back in the studio for a second year, Season 34 continues offering larger-than-ever cash prizes, knee-slapping hilarity and more. “America’s Funniest Home Videos” returns with new episodes, premiering Sunday, Oct. 1, on ABC.