THAT'S REAL INCREDIBLE, PEOPLE!

REAL PEOPLE
1979-1984 NBC

THAT'S INCREDIBLE
1980-1984 ABC


THAT'S REAL INCREDIBLE, PEOPLE
MAD #222, April 1981
w: Dick DeBartolo
a: Angelo Torres

Real People was one of the first precursors to what is now known is reality TV, often compared to its earliest imitator That's Incredible. Real People was hosted by Byron Allen, John Barbour, Sarah Purcell, and Skip Stephenson. That's Incredible was hosted by Fran Tarkenton, Jon Davidson, and Cathy Lee Crosby.

In order to give the conceit of being “a show for the people”, Real People often had audience members tell the cameras what was on their minds.

This parody showed the differences between the two shows, what little difference there was. Both were influenced by the 'Mondo' genre of movies, though Real People was more a light look at America's underbelly while That's Incredible concentrated more on bizarre natural occurrences and dangerous stunts.

Cast of Real People reading their article a couple issues later, with Bill Rafferty instead of Byron Allen..

REAL INCREDIBLE PEOPLE
Cracked #174, December 1980
a: John Severin

This version has Charo as one of the hosts.

THAT'S REAL INCREDIBLE PEOPLE!
Crazy #69, December 1980
w: Murad Gumen
a: Kent Gamble
This version has the two shows as contestants of Family Feud hosted by Richard Dawson.

THAT'S REAL INCREDIBLE, PEOPLE
Richie Rich and Jackie Jokers #42, April 1981
w & a: unknown

In the 70s and 80s there were at least 20 different Richie Rich titles, one of which was dedicated to his catch-all showbiz friend Jackie Jokers. This was his take on it.