[4] In actuality the 12 viewers filmed five episodes over the course of one day, after being selected from a group of walk-in auditioners who did a "test viewing" in an observed room.
[citation needed] The show was created during MTV's programming overhaul in 1997, which was partially in response to criticism for playing fewer music videos as it had in the past.
[8] MTV Russia had a version of 12 Angry Viewers called 12 злобных зрителей [ru] which started in 1999 sporadically until present with several different styles and hosts.
"[9] In 2013, Louis Virtel wrote for NewNowNext that the show was #7 of MTV's 10 Most Underrated Series where members "fought over which clips ruled the roost" and "see fabulous vids by Bjork, Portishead, or Daft Punk.
"[10] In 2015, James Sheldon wrote for Fame10 placing it at #9 on Worst MTV Produced Shows because, "The viewers were coached to be outspoken, controversial if necessary and highly energetic.