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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, September 29, 2023 20 By Caroline Collacutt TV Media Caught on tape: With countless hosts, more than 850 episodes and decades of histo- ry on broadcast television, "America's Funniest Home Vid- eos" returns with new epi- sodes when Season 34 pre- mieres Sunday, Oct. 1, on ABC. As we prepare for the return of funny animal videos and pranks gone wrong, Season 1 of this series — the network's longest-running prime-time entertainment show — often feels like it aired in the not-so- distant past. "AFV," however, is now legally old enough to drive, to vote, to rent a car — and no matter how it changes and grows, it tickles our funny bones just the same way. What started as a television special in 1989 (itself based on the Japanese variety show "Fun TV with Kato-chan and Ken-chan") quickly became a regular weekly series, as Bob Saget ("Full House") took the lead as host and welcomed American viewers to the quirky world of "AFV." Since its incep- tion, the show's format has stayed mostly the same, shin- ing a spotlight on everyday people as viewers, fans and pranksters alike submit hilari- ous home videos involving ev- erything from outrageous physical comedy and wildly in- telligent toddlers to "trick shots" gone wrong and mar- riage proposal mishaps. The submitted clips are played in front of a live studio audience who then vote on the funniest videos of the week. Each episode, the first palace winner is awarded a cash prize and offered the op- portunity to return for the se- ries' next competition round, where they vie for a much larger prize — now, a purse set at $100,000. This continues until the end of the season, when previous winners com- pete for even more cash and an exclusive, all-inclusive va- cation package. Now back in the studio for a second year, Season 34 contin- ues offering larger-than-ever cash prizes, knee-slapping hi- larity and more. "America's Funniest Home Videos" returns with new episodes, premiering Sunday, Oct. 1, on ABC. realtalk Alfonso Ribeiro from "America's Funniest Home Videos" The Pine Shop 6x7.5 OLD VILLAGE COLONIAL PAINTS ORECK VACUUM SALES & SERVICE BAGS AND BELTS FOR MANY OTHER BRANDS FALL CLEARANCE 10% TO 50% OFF STORE WIDE! SALE ENDS OCTOBER 14TH SALE! SALE! Mon. - Fri. 9-5:30, Sat. 9-5 Upholstered, Finished, Unfinished Real Wood Furniture • Finishings Available 5382 St. Hwy. 7 • Oneonta • (607) 432-1124 thepineshoponeonta.com

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