Scott's World -- UPI Arts & Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- "Surprise by Design," a new "reality" TV series could lead to family pandemonium, perhaps fill divorce courts with infuriated married couples.

The show is similar to last year's intrepid "While You Were Gone" series, which starts its current season with husband and wife in adversarial situations; one spouse conspiring with producers to effect major changes in their home to the astonishment (or chagrin) of his or her mate.

Both shows have their roots in the old -- and sometimes amusing -- "Candid Camera" saga originated by Allen Funt, the fiend who hid cameras and microphones in a variety of unlikely places in bizarre settings to catch unsuspecting passersby off guard.

In one form or another ABC, CBS and NBC broadcast "Candid Camera" at various intervals from 1948-1990.

Funt took delight in making his victims look like imbeciles and/or petty crooks caught in the acts of being clumsy, clueless, nosy, inept, overwhelmed or all of the above.

Ratings indicated that Americans are surprisingly sadistic people who enjoy catching fellow citizens and neighbors with their hands in cookie jars.

"Candid Camera" victims, interviewed by Funt or a colleague, frequently were caught in some mindless or illegal enterprise that often provoked hilarity in TV audiences, enhanced by laugh tracks.

Over the years Funt grew rich; viewers waxed indifferent.

All the same, the unknowing dupes willingly forgave Funt and his cohorts as they wallowed willingly in their few minutes of fame on national television.

Today the timeworn proclivity for invading individual privacy takes a giant leap forward by storming people's homes with mind-boggling hubris.

Rather than being waylaid in some public building, in the streets, in private offices, or perhaps a filling station, the innocent prey need only stroll into his own house to be bowled over by changes in structure, decor and ornamentation he or she had never anticipated.

One or the other of a marital pair secretly is in league with the show's production representatives to surprise his or her mate with a material alteration in their home.

The unknowing mate is inevitably befuddled on seeing the changes wrought in his or her absence.

The shock, however, is ameliorated by the show's host who assures the spouse all changes, "improvements" and redecorating have been paid for by the producers.

Never mind that the husband's gun room has been painted pink or perhaps Madame's boudoir has been enriched with Marilyn Monroe's infamous nude calendar hanging above the bed.

In truth, husband and wife are giddy at receiving their precious few moments of glory on TV and will tell their friends to tune into the show on its air date.

"Surprise by Design" made its debut on the Discovery channel Sept. 3 with two hourlong episodes. Subsequent shows are scheduled every weekday from 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

The conspiratorial spouse makes certain his or her mate leaves their beloved nuptial bower for a full day by some ruse or cunning subterfuge. The absent partner returns home all unsuspecting, to find somebody has completely redecorated their sacred castle.

Give the genius who came up with this format credit for configuring a formula for instant spousal confrontation with hundreds of thousands of viewers privy to the victim's glee or possible high dudgeon.

Imagine the shock, fury, indignation, consternation and wrath if the surprised member of the household is manifestly stupefied by, say, a favorite worn leather armchair re-covered in chintz.

Remember, the make-over is the work of esteemed designers Robert Verdi and Rebecca Cole. Family friends and neighbors pitch in to help with the transformation of the rooms, gardens, decks, and patios.

In the absence of the heretofore happy couple, each episode finds Robert and Rebecca explaining why and how they're making changes, all the while giving tips to viewers on making over their own homes, God forbid.

What if the husband despises floral wallpaper? How does the wife react to kitchen cabinets painted chartreuse, and the kids' rooms stripped of rock star posters in favor of Norman Rockwell prints?

It's a dicey proposition: well-meaning home "improvements" may well clash with the tastes of the home's inhabitants. It might possibly involve a second act in an episode of "Judge Judy."

Think of the jollity these jolting revelations evoke among viewers nationwide, even if on occasion a Jerry Springer-like brawl may break out among family members chosen for this infestation of strangers in their home.

Think of the fun the producers could have at the White House, Windsor Castle, Madonna's digs or Martha Stewart's pad.

In any case, if the couple involved is sufficiently provoked by changes wrought for the show they can always sell the damned house -- hopefully at a profit -- and move back to sanity in Schenectady.