John Quinones hosts "Primetime: What Would You Do?"

Television viewers are a well-catered-to bunch. There are whole networks devoted just to drama, comedy, even just reality TV, so viewers don't have to watch anything but exactly what they want.

However, just about everyone has an interest in news, and there are loads of news programs to satisfy their curiosity. Not all news shows are created equal, though, and lately many have fallen by the wayside as more and more news-thirsty viewers flock to the Internet.

It seems the only way for a current-events show to stay current is to adapt, which may be why ABC's "Primetime" series has been so successful. The program has seen many incarnations over the years, and the latest to keep viewers tuned to the edge of their seats is "Primetime: What Would You Do?," which airs Tuesday, Aug. 24.

Hosted by Emmy winner John Quinones, the sub-series has been described as a "candid camera of ethics" by The Columbia Journalism Review. "What Would You Do?" presents unwitting subjects with provocative situations, from heartbreaking scenarios to potentially dangerous ones. While actors play out a scene, onlookers are filmed to gauge their reactions and ultimately reveal their values.

In one famous scenario, an intoxicated woman (played by an actress) appears to be in trouble when a male stranger tries to lure her away from a crowded bar. In another, a store clerk appears to be stealing winnings from lotto winners. A different setup involves a harried mother who kicks her fighting kids out of the car and told them to walk home.

In each of these situations, and many more throughout the season, cameras capture how average people respond to those in need. Many people stand by idly and watch, but there are those who will step in to help.

Quinones really puts people to the test when he takes the experiments one step further. He and his crew often repeat the scenarios with different actors or wardrobe. For example, he tested whether bystanders would be more or less likely to intervene on behalf of the intoxicated woman if she was dressed provocatively and acted like a party girl.

"Primetime: What Would You Do?" has been recognized with awards from the Chicago International Film Festival, and the Avon Foundation praised the program for its exposure of attitudes towards domestic violence, awarding it the 2006 Voice of Change Award.

With Quinones at the helm, this recent addition to the "Primetime" series of programs has been making waves with critics and audiences alike, but it is merely one incarnation of the show.

The news magazine has been around since 1989, when it was co-anchored by two of the industry's rising stars, Sam Donaldson and Diane Sawyer. Back then, it was known as "Primetime Live" and lived up to its name with live broadcasts and an in-studio audience. The format allowed audience members to comment on stories and ask interviewees questions.

Unfortunately, the complexities of airing a live TV program often led to technical glitches and the in-studio audience feature was dropped. Also, the focus slowly shifted away from live interviews and turned to hidden-camera investigations.

One such expose in the '90s led to a huge lawsuit from Food Lion, who sued ABC, alleging the story was filmed deceptively. A jury took the grocery company's side, though appeals later overturned the decision.

After nearly a decade on the air, in 1998 "Primetime Live" was rolled into "20/20" in an effort to streamline the network's news presence. It was a short-lived marriage, however, and "Primetime Thursday" became a part of the ABC News slate again in 2000. This time, Sawyer had a new partner in "Prime," with Charles Gibson replacing Donaldson.

By 2004, the original title "Primetime Live" was reinstated and Gibson made way for Sawyer's cohorts Chris Cuomo, Cynthia McFadden and Quinones. Currently, Cuomo, McFadden, Quinones and David Muir are listed as hosts.

In the summer of 2005 the show was simply known as "Primetime," but since 2006, ABC has presented the series under several titles, the first of which was "Primetime: Basic Instincts." The first of the sub-series, it explored different psychological theories in an effort to find out what makes humans tick.

From the mind to the body, "Primetime: Medical Mysteries" brings viewers stories of rare conditions that often leave doctors and scientists baffled. People who exist on the fringes of society allow cameras into their lives in "Primetime: The Outsiders," while "Primetime: Crime" examines criminal cases new and old. "Primetime: Mind Games" takes viewers into the dark corners of the human mind.

One of the show's most compelling incarnations exposes the real-life woes of families on the brink in "Primetime: Family Secrets." The program reveals the deep-rooted secrets about which most families wouldn't dare talk.

All in all, the current adaptations of the "Primetime" series offer something for everyone. The diverse slate works because each form zeroes in on a particular kind of news-magazine junkie. This week, those who like hidden camera pieces can tune into "What Would You Do?" for their "Primetime" fix.