Sometimes you don't feel like being confused by TV shows with complex plot lines and boring characters. Sometimes you just need some mindless entertainment. That's where compilation shows come in. They just find videos of explosions, extreme sports accidents, shocking burglaries and dangerous car chases and say "Here, enjoy this buffet of destruction." And you gladly oblige. Grab some beers and make sure to check out these shows.
Web Junk 20 (VH1)
When the internet is bombarded with hilarious and stupid people, Web Junk 20 is there to put it on TV and have a comedian make fun of it. It was hosted by Patrice O'Neal for the first two seasons, and then Jim Breuer in the third season, and now Aries Spears has taken over. Don't worry, they still cover all the ridiculous videos on the internet, and the show is just as hilarious as ever.
Real TV
Real TV was shot as a sort of pseudo-newscast, complete with anchorman John Daly. No, not the fat beer guzzling golfer. But how awesome would that have been? Real TV regularly ran videos featuring human triumph over adversity, like daring rescues or and rarely showed videos in which people were seriously injured or there was too much violence, which, unfortunately for Real TV, is something Americans love. It would be replaced by the more humorous and more violent Maximum Exposure after it started aiming its material towards a younger audience.
The Sports List (FSN)
Hosted by Summer Sanders, the show listed all sorts of cool things, like the greatest shortstops of all-time, or the most hated athletes in sports. The show featured interviews with athletes, coaches and other sports related figures giving their input on the topics. Although it was canceled after only one season, you can catch re-runs on FSN.
World's Most Amazing Videos (Spike TV)
This show is one of the most popular among violent video fans, as its serious tone and often more violent videos make for an intense viewing experience.
Most Shocking (Tru TV)
Each episode of Most Shocking gets its own theme, ranging in everything from high speed chases to intense rioting. For their footage they utilize police dashboard cameras and civilian owned hand held cameras.
World's Wildest Police Videos (FOX)
This show is pretty self explanatory. It showcases various crazy police videos taken by a variety of sources. Most of the car chases are caught on tape by the officers dashboard cameras, or by helicopters circling above. Some of the videos are taken by civilians with camcorders. Another interesting aspect of this show is the use of former sheriff John Bunnell, a tough talking cop who would present the video by walking through a scene of actors dressed as cops, seemingly oblivious to his presence, as they prepared for some sort of operation. Some of the scenes went as far as to use actors portraying criminals who've recently been arrested, with officers taking them away. On a few occasions, Bunnell could be seen picking up weapons and hopping into a squad car as though he were about to join the officers around him.
When Animals Attack (FOX)
Usually when a person is harmed by animals, everyone complains about how much of a tragedy it is. "Boo-hoo, a bear ate my dad." Look, bears are supposed to eat things weaker than it is, and humans just happen to fall into that category. That's when Fox decided there was a ton of footage of people getting their asses handed to them by animals, wild or domestic. They usually aired this and other disaster shows during the sweeps periods back in the 90s.
Maximum Exposure
Max X, as it is affectionately called, ran from 2000 to 2003. It's most popular characteristics include it's fast-paced transitions from video to video, and it's use of humor even when showing videos with extreme danger resulting in injuries (or worse) to people. The narrator often uses hilarious catch-phrases and insults the stupidity of the "stars" of each video, even going as far to re-play each video in slow and super slow-motion.