Survivor debuted five years ago today.

Survivor »   
by Andy Dehnart / May 31, 2005, 8:00 AM

Today’s the fifth anniversary of the beginning of a new era in primetime network television. At 8 p.m. on May 31, 2000, Survivor debuted, and changed network television as we know it. Of course, Survivor wasn’t the first reality show (PBS’ An American Family, MTV’s The Real World, and MTV’s Road Rules are its great-grandparent and grandparents, respectively), and it wasn’t even the first network reality series (ABC’s Making the Band was. But it quickly became the talk of the nation, pulled in killer ratings, and launched a whole new line of celebrities for the media to ogle. CNN’s 25th anniversary.)

To celebrate, reality blurred will undergo a facelift later today, along with some fun behind-the-scenes technology changes. Check back late this afternoon to see an updated look.