francis's first business venture began when he was working as a production assistant for "real tv", a syndicated reality television program that aired footage of extraordinary events that were not usually covered in mainstream news. it was there that francis came up with the idea for "banned from television". during his time at "real tv", people who worked in the studio would often view footage involving car accidents, violent attacks and other graphic events. francis licensed the footage, which he then sold through the "banned from television" videos which he marketed via infomercials. the first "banned from television" video was released in 1998, followed by two sequels that were also released the same year. some of the more famous footage included in the series was: footage of luis donaldo colosio's assassination; the rampage of circus elephant tyke; the executions of roberto girón and pedro castillo; footage of the royal jomtien resort hotel fire; and the death of mary t. wojtyla, a woman hit by a speeding train in downers grove, illinois.