Throwback Thursday: When 'Rescue 911' was the best reality TV

From 1989 to 1996, reality television had nothing to do with housewives, teen parenthood, or competitions of any kind. Instead, it had everything to do with real-life emergencies, re-enactments, and William Shatner. I’m talking about Rescue 911.

The show, narrated/hosted by Shatner, told the stories behind actual 911 calls through interviews and dramatic re-enactments. There were stories of heart attacks, fire ants, hostage situations, mothers giving birth, and more. And if you were a young child watching the show, you had at least one episode that was forever burned into your memory. For me and my brother, it was the kid who got his jacket caught in the escalator:

Somehow, I still managed to get on escalators as a child, but it was not without severe caution. I made sure all pieces of clothing were tight around me before I stepped on that death trap. And I never sat down.

The point here is, do you remember the time when this was the best reality television had to offer (and it was sort of great)? Is there a reality-esque show you miss from your childhood, PopWatchers?