There was an episode with a grizzled old character knowm as "the Mayor". When asked a question he'd say, "Don't worry bout it". We all thought it was sooooo funny--we still use that expression---in our best gruff voice.

--Curly

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My favorite episode of real people was when Sarah Purcell rode in a KC135A stratotanker of the 920th refueling squadron. She was ceremoniously drenched with water afterward. I was stationed at Wurtsmith AFB at that time, she drove by in an air force motor pool station wagon, she smiled and waved..I didn't know what to do, I didn't recognize her, and we had not been breifed that she would be there. She was wearing a flight suit, and driving a staff car...mostly officers wear flight suits and drive staff cars...I froze for a moment, then popped a salute. she continued on to the flight line shaking her head.

--Wolverine

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I loved the show and the cast. I would love to see the original cast do a reunion show on NBC. I always remember that catchy theme song at the beginning of each episode. What was the name of the tune and who was the orchestra? Please respond via email at daleatkinson at msn dot com. My favorite episode is when Sara interviewed the old couple who would answer her questions at the same time. She didn't know which person to focus her attention on. We need those kind of shows again. Bring back Real People!

--Dale Atkinson

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I liked the episode where this white-haired woman sang a song she wrote called "A Woman in Love." Anyone else remember it?

--Mike

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I don't remember Real People very much since I was in my early teens when it aired, but I came across an interesting sign in a Lower Manhattan (NY) restaurant last week (July '03). On the wall behind the counter was a taped up sign for "Skimpy Treat Low Calorie Frozen Dessert". And below the title it was written "As Seen on... Real People" I was cracking up when I saw it and took a photo of the sign. Since most of the staff were foreigners, they looked at me kind of funny, and even after I explained the humor of it, I don't think they really understood.

--David Abbey

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My favorite episode was about a man named "Pete Moore". He was billed as the smallest man in the world. I had seen him in Michigan at the Wayne County Fair in the Super70s at a side show. It was my first experience with anything of the sort and it made a lasting impression. When his episode of "Real People" aired I must have recieved 15 phone calls from friends telling me to tune in. It is something I won't ever forget.

--amguest

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What I remember most about this program was that it was fluffy and light. Really silly for the most part, but just a few years after Vietnam and Watergate. I suppose that's what we all wanted, but it was the first reality show. In those days it would have been considered a "variety show" along the lines of Sonny and Cher or Flip Wilson or something of that sort. They wanted to be taken seriously too and needed something more compelling than people eating dirt or collecting huge rolls of string and paper clips. At the time the show was on, NBC was really struggling for viewers and this show was one of their only hits. In fact it was a big hit for a long long time. everybody watched it!!! Even if they wouldn't admit it!

--mickeba

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It seems like I am the only one I know that remembers the show. I absolutely adored it and was an avid watcher, never missing an episode. I was a child so a lot of what aired escapes my memory. Probably the most prominent was this bit they did on this guy who ran really fast and jumped onto a wall and had enough momentum that the centripetal force kept him on the wall and he ran around the gym via the walls. It was an awesome reality show that started it all. If I could see that show today, it would be such a treat. Sarah Purcell and Byron Allen--fantastic. They are my heroes!

--pizxer

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I was just a kid when Real People was on, but two stories really stand out in my memory. One was about a guy who could drink entire pitchers of beer in one gulp. The other was about a couple who lived in some kind of tree house, and they sent their bathroom waste in a bag down this long cable that was attached to the house. They filmed it careening down the cable and hitting a tree. Yuck. I'll never foget that! :)

--Brett Cramer

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I was just reminiscing about the Real People Express -- the whistlestop train trip they did across the country. I did an Internet search and came upon a site by Joe Roberts that includes a picture of the train going through his town in Massachusetts on May 24, 1983. I remember going out to see it in Albany, NY when it made a stop, but I didn't have an accurate timeframe until I found that website.

At the time I was a big fan of Skip Stephenson's *ahem* rude humor -- I wrote him a letter as part of a fourth-grade project to write to a celebrity and got a response in the fall of 1982. I've still got the cover letter, a couple official idea submission forms, the Real People Newsletter from 1982, a color glossy autographed cast photo, and the "Watch Out for Real People" stickers are somewhere.

--Jayce

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I remember one segment that featured a man who bought either an oil refinery of military platform off the coast of somewhere (California?) and turned it into his own little country. He even printed his own stamps and paper money.

I was 10-15 years old when Real People was on and now I'm a Social Studies teacher so this "country" is even more fascinating to me. Does anyone know anything about it? Please contact me at kenobi575 at yahoo dot com.

--Admiral Kenobi

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I believe it was "Real People" that did a story on a man rollerskating in NY and he went by the name of Rollerrina. He was dressed in a ballet costume, and roller skate up and down the streets in NY, gently pointing his magic wand at people. He wasn't threatening with it, but I suppose for some people he might have been annoying. At one point they're filming him, and someone nearly hits him with their car. He tickled me when he said, "Watch it, Buster!"

There had been many others, but that's the one that stands out most with me.

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I can not remember enough about a particular show to write a synopsis. But I would agree that it was far superior to the reality shows of today. Why haven't reruns of the old shows ever been put into syndication?

--rmalcus

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My husband's grandfather, Frank Thomas, was on Real People at some point in the late Super70s. He made a flying saucer that he truly believed would fly. He wanted to use it to fly foood, supplies and bibles to people in third world countries. He passed away in April '05 and we now have the flying saucer up for auction on ebay if anyone is interested.

--CourtPaige

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My grandfather was on the Show. His name is Virgil E. Hutchens. The show was about him as a airman in various wars. He was a member of the Confederate Airforce Ghost Squadron.

Real People had good taste, content with substance. Something the shows of today seemingly lack.

--nul512

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