What Would You Do? is an American hidden-camera reality and social-experiment series that has aired on ABC since 2008. The show, created by Chris Whipple, grew out of a recurring segment of the same name that appeared periodically on ABC’s newsmagazine program Primetime between 2005 and 2007. It has since evolved into a standalone powerhouse that has fascinated audiences for nearly two decades.
Each episode features a series of carefully staged scenarios set in public places — restaurants, parks, shops, and streets — where actors play out situations involving bullying, discrimination, abuse, moral grey areas, and other ethically charged conflicts. Hidden cameras film unsuspecting bystanders as they decide whether to step in or stay out.
At the conclusion of each scenario, host John Quiñones reveals the setup and speaks with the bystanders about their choices. The conversations that follow are often just as compelling as the staged scenes themselves. In some segments, psychology professors or educators provide additional commentary on the bystanders’ behavior, lending an analytical layer to the social observations.
The series initially aired as Primetime: What Would You Do? through its fifth season before dropping the Primetime branding. For its first 15 seasons, Quiñones was the sole on-air host, revealing himself to bystanders and narrating each scenario.
Beginning with the 16th season in 2024, the show introduced guest correspondents Sara Haines and W. Kamau Bell, who conducted their own segments and brought fresh perspectives to the format. Sara Haines has remained as a regular correspondent alongside Quiñones, with each handling their own scenarios in different locations across the country.
