History gets a dose of reality on U.S. PBS. (Documentaries).

International buyers may have seen every imaginable kind of reality-based series, yet still the latest evolution in nonfiction "edu-tainment" is emerging. What makes these history-themed reality-TV shows so popular?

"There is nothing more compelling to human beings than fantasizing about other human beings in extraordinary real life situations," stated communications strategist Richard Greene. "No motion picture, soap or television miniseries can ever come close." Greene's upcoming book, Words That Shook the World. 100 Years of Unforgettable Speeches and Events, has attracted the attention of several U.S. and Canadian cable networks, who are interested in expanding the concept into a reality-style documentary series.

While contestants have dealt with extreme discomfort in the hopes of winning money, what sets these new reality shows apart is the participants' interest in "experiencing" history, discovery and adventure--in addition to their non-sensationalized content.

"There are superficial similarities between our shows and reality game shows like Survivor, but the differences are much greater," pointed out Alex Graham, chief executive at U.K. producer Wall to Wall Television. "Interestingly, our first historical reality series, The 1900 House, came out in the U.K. at exactly the same time [Fall 1999] that Big Brother launched in Holland. In the early days we were compared to the reality game show format, but actually what we have developed is closer to drama."

1900 House--which for several months observed a family in a turn-of the-century house--was produced in association with the U.K.'s Channel 4 and PBS' Thirteen/WNET New York. The series, and the co-production partnership, was successful enough to spawn Frontier House and 1940s House. Colonial House is currently in development, and Manor House, which explores class structure in an Edwardian home, will air early next year.

While these nonfiction, "you are there" reality series have sold in English-speaking countries as well as European territories, such as Holland, Graham believes the opportunities for co-production may be limited, "though a shared language and a bit of a shared history probably helps," he added.

Nevertheless, "the appeal of these shows is, after all, to take you into your own history rather than someone else's," Graham said. "In addition, there is also the desire for broadcasters to develop their own format versions, along with simply acquiring the U.K./U.S. version."

Which is exactly what Jamie Brown, series creator and executive producer of the "living history" documentaries Pioneer Quest: A Year in the Real West, Quest for the Bay and the upcoming Klondike: The Quest for Gold for Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting's History Television, is hoping to do. "We are talking to Mexican and Asian broadcasters about formatting the observational history-themed idea to fir their needs. Anything that has an entertainment and educational value is of interest to them," he said.

The final installment of Pioneer Quest was the highest-rated Canadian documentary to air on a specialty channel, garnering the highest ratings of any program in the history of the cable network.

For buyers to remain interested in the "recreating historical experiences reality genre, Brown stressed the importance of the program's quality.

"The reenactments within the series, for example, must be done well in order to convince the audience," Brown said. "Plus, not all international buyers seem to like recreations. Sometimes there is not enough of a smooth transition between the fiction and nonfiction elements.

Brown's advice to broadcasters: "If you don't have the high budget needed to do this type of series right, it would be better to invest your money in clips and archival footage."

The cost to research and produce the documentaries may make co-production a necessity, said Charlie Maday, senior vp of programming for The History Channel. "These shows are extremely expensive to produce."

The network is co-producing The Ship, in which 40 people are selected to retrace the historic voyage of Captain James Cook aboard an exact replica of his sea-faring vessel. Following the same course Cook did 231 years ago, The Ship mixes dramatic reenactments and first person journals with scenes of the modern crew, who at times match with their 18th century counterparts task for task.

"This is a more active way for viewers to be involved," Maday emphasized. "Tying in a strong contemporary angle with the past makes a program more colorful and appealing. History comes alive for the viewer, and I see this as the way of the future," he said.

Recreating ship adventures is a theme that's gaining in popularity, as PBS plans to reconstruct the Mayflower in the near future.

An extensive amount of preparation is done prior to production of such programming, said PBS' John 'Wilson, co-chief program executive. "'We take a lot of time researching what the time period was like before we send a family in. 'We really want viewers to utilize their imagination, and connect where they wouldn't otherwise."