I'm just now thinking about it but there were no other shows before it that featured people in ridiculous,obnoxious ways(if you count Jerry Springer but that's a talk show. I'm talking reality tv). Flavor of Love paved the way for all the real housewives stuff, LAHH, Jersey Shore, Rock of Love, I love New York, basketball wives,college hill, and other stuff i can't think of. So would you agree that FOL started up ratchet reality shows?

That and Judge Judy dragging anyone left and right became a popular notion on television, so yes

No. It was Big brother :S

no there was Jerry Springer before that but it truly is an iconic show

I think so