TV's best of the 'I didn't know' shows

By Vinnie Penn
Special to MSN TV

Someday the vault will be opened and the hours upon hours of tape from myriad hidden-camera shows -- from "Candid Camera" to "Punk'd" -- that was deemed "not for air," for whatever reason, will see the light of day. That could even be the name of the show: "The Light of Day."

MTV's "Money From Strangers" offers an interesting twist on the hidden-camera series, like "Disaster Date" before it: The worse the prank gets, the more money is doled out. In short, the greater the potential for ugliness, the greater the sum you can walk away with, up to -- gasp! -- $1,000 here on "Money." So, the guy who returns the cheeseburger at a fast-food joint (hidden earpiece in place) and begins asking the cashier if he or she thought about the cow just served up, and then asks for the manager to inquire same, and then (upon instruction) begins doing jumping jacks? Yeah, he could be walking away with a couple hundred bucks if he doesn't give it all away.

Here is our tribute to TV's best hidden-camera series.

Bing: More about 'Money From Strangers' | Host Jeff Dye

What's your favorite hidden-camera TV show? Tell us on MSN TV on Facebook and Twitter.

"Money From Strangers" premieres Monday, April 30, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

(MTV)