Americas Most Wanted

America’s Most Wanted is not only the longest-running TV series in the history of the FOX network, but the eighth-longest running prime time network show ever and credited for bringing reality television to mainstream. The idea for the show came from other reality crime shows in the 60s and 80s. By the summer of 1987, Fox executive Stephen Chao and Executive Producer Michael Linder had the idea for America’s Most Wanted. It premiered on February 7, 1988 and within four days of the first broadcast convicted killer David James Roberts was captured. The show was canceled for a month and a half in the fall of 1996 but returned after protests from the public, law enforcement, government officials and low ratings for the shows replacing AMW. Among its many accomplishments, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED has helped capture more than 1,100 criminals, including 17 on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. The series has also reunited 61 missing children and persons with their families, which is Walsh’s proudest achievement. In March 2010, President Obama appeared on AMW to congratulate the series on its 1000th milestone episode.