A Touch of Reality TV Scrabble Quiz

Answer: American Restoration

"American Restoration" first aired on the History channel in 2010 and, for six seasons, it followed the workings of Rick's Restorations workshop, which is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The format was changed for the seventh season when they focused on five different shops instead of just Rick's.

As the above clue indicated, Rick's Restorations is operated by Rick Dale and his son and they do an extraordinary job of bringing vintage items back to their original condition. They first made a name for themselves on television when they appeared as expert consultants on the TV series "Pawn Stars", which first aired in 2009.

Their specialist comments were so well received that their own show seemed like a natural progression.

Answer: The Osbournes

This reality programme first aired on the MTV network in 2002, with the final season running out in 2005. It followed the day to day activities in the Osbourne household featuring Ozzy, his wife Sharon and the children Kelly and Jack. Their other daughter, Aimee, refused to make an appearance.

The show proved to be a ratings winner for MTV, with the viewing numbers for the first season being the greatest the network had achieved to that point. It also proved to be a launching pad for Kelly's (albeit brief) singing career.

Answer: Dance Moms

Lifetime first aired this programme in 2011. Filmed in the dance studios of dance choreographer Abby Lee Miller it features Abby training a group of children through a range of routines. The aim is to have the girls get onto the ALDC Junior Elite Competition Team, which would then perform across the country. Sounds thrilling, doesn't it? Don't worry, it's livens up when the bickering mothers come to the fore and get involved... there's drama galore.

Answer: Pawn Stars

This programme found its way to air on the History channel in 2009 and soon became that station's highest rating programme. It also achieved the ranking of second highest rated reality show, just behind "Jersey Shore" (2009-2012). The centre of attraction is the daily goings on at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, which operates twenty four hours a day in las Vegas, Nevada.

The key people behind this operation are Richard "Old Man" Harrison, Rick Harrison (his son), Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison (his grandson), and Austin "Chumlee" Russell, who is a good friend of Corey's. Throughout the programme you will witness clients come with items for sale, and watch them haggle with the Harrison's over price.

Answer: Kitchen Nightmares

The American version of this series originally aired on the Fox network in 2007. In each episode chef Gordon Ramsay is invited by a restaurant owner to come and spend a week at their business premises. The aim is for him to identify why their operation is not performing and endeavor to institute plans to revive their flagging fortunes.

Not all of the restaurant owners take kindly to his suggestions and sparks (not to mention the odd four lettered word) fly.

Answer: What Not to Wear

This makeover series is based on a British show with the same title. It aired on TLC in 2003 and ran for six seasons. The initial series worked on making over both men and women however, the changes in the men were proving not to be as spectacular as those of the women.

As a result the later seasons were devoted to just the women. Goes to show that us men don't need that much work... and I am going to pay for that, ain't I? For the most part the show was hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly but the physical part of the makeovers was performed or controlled by makeover artist Carmindy and hairstylist Nick Arrojo.

Answer: Candid Camera

This long running series was created by Allen Funt and has appeared on television in various formats between 1948 and 2014. Strangely, it had its origin in a radio show the year before (1947) as a programme called "Candid Microphone". The thrust of the show would involve a hidden camera and a prop that set up an unusual scenario.

For example a desk with an open draw that, when shut, would force another one to open. The camera would then capture ordinary citizens attempting to resolve the situation with varying degrees of success. Eventually the prank would be revealed to the citizen, the camera would be pointed to and the host would blurt out the show's catchphrase "smile, you're on Candid Camera".

Answer: American Idol

Based on British television's "Pop Idol" (2001-03), "American Idol" is a singing competition that was created by Simon Fuller and originally aired on the Fox network in 2002. A panel of judges would sift through a pool of unsigned musical talent with the promise of a recording contract at the end of the line for the winner.

The show was an instant success, driving the New York Times, in 2007, to describe it as "the most impactful show in the history of television". Over the years it identified recording artists of the ilk of Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino and Carrie Underwood.

Answer: MasterChef

"MasterChef" is a competitive cooking show that followed a British programme of the same name and debuted on the Fox network in 2010. It was hosted by celebrity chefs and restaurateurs. In its first five seasons these were Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot and Joe Bastianich, The competition was open to home cooks and amateurs. Over a number of weeks the contestants would be eliminated via a series of tests that included the Mystery Box, a Skills Test, a Pressure Test, a Team Challenge and an Elimination Test.

Answer: Deal or No Deal

This game show was originally created for Dutch television by Dick de Rijk and John de Mol before spreading across the globe. Game-play did differ slightly in other countries. In the United States the show debuted on NBC in 2005 and was hosted by Howie Mandel.

The basic concept of the game is that a contestant is presented with 26 closed briefcases that hold a separate amount of prize-money. This will range from one cent to a million dollars. The contestant selects a case (which remains closed) and then goes through a process of eliminating the next twenty four, opening them as they go. Every now and then the Banker would interrupt and offer the contestant a cash amount in exchange for them quitting the game at that point. Should the contestant refuse the deals they will arrive at a point where there are only two cases left in play. At this point they are offered a final choice - the briefcase still in the field or the one they originally chose. Whatever that choice contains is what they walk away with.