Reality TV series are made to be watched differently than other shows, especially those with the ability to stream, and now with hundreds of shows at our fingertips,binge-watching reality TV has never been more pertinent. Even though things have become instantaneous and binge-able over the years,the advent of reality TVwasn’t exactly built for binge-watching. The first reality TV shows outside of game shows and documentaries popped up in the late early 1990s and carried a stigma with them through the mid-2000s. While reality TV was always fun, it wasn’t always accepted by the masses.
Forthose who were interested in reality TVduring its early years, it was primarily on cable TV rather than network and featured subjects in their mid-to-late 20s having life-altering experiences.The Real WorldandRoad Ruleswere two of MTV’s early reality TV hits that would ultimately change the landscape of the genre, pushing the boundaries of what a reality TV show could be. Joined soon thereafter bysocial experiments disguised as competition shows likeSurvivorandBig Brother,things evolved quickly within the genre and diversified, creating a whole new playing field.
While viewers were intrigued by reality TV during the early years, it didn’t become must-see TV until the mid 2000s, when network television began to realize that it was well worth the cost to make. AfterSurvivorandBig Brotherwere hits, other competition shows likeAmerican Idolcame into play, andthe reality TV dating sub-genrebegan to pick itself up with the creation ofThe BachelorandThe Bachelorette.Witha mix of observational reality and competition, the dating series quickly skyrocketed in popularity and changed the game all over again.
Though there were some who would tape or record reality TV shows and binge-watch them on their own, the idea of binge-watching only existed on a cable TV network when a marathon of reality TV would be shown on air. Although the internet was available and ready,catching a reality TV show onlinewasn’t always the norm until streaming services began popping up in the 2010s. Although there were some who were still committed to weekly watching,many began to understand the appeal of binge-watchingand decided to jump on the bandwagon.
Now, binge-watching is the norm for all TV viewers, not justthose who watch reality shows. With the ability to watch as many episodes as there are available all at once, binge-watching helps with the need for instant gratification. It allows reality TV fans to get caught up with their favorite shows or find new ones,leaving viewers able to take their fate into their own hands…at least, when it comes to what they’re watching.
20Top Chef
21 Seasons
Originally airing during the reality TV boom of the mid-2000s,Top Chefis an ideal series to binge-watch for several reasons. First and foremost, as a cooking competition,Top Chefhas one of the most uniqueand transformable premises of any reality TV show. Changing cities, cuisines, and judges throughout its run, the show brings together culinary masterminds in the hopes of honing their craft and winning the competition.
20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now
Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.
Airing on Bravo,Top Chefinvites chefs into their kitchen in order to compete in themed challenges and have their meals judged by some of the best of the best in culinary arts. While there are some seasons that are better than others,Top Chefhas 21 seasons to binge and continues to deliver with each and every one. AsTop Chefseason 22 approaches, rewatching the entire series would be a great refresher for any viewer.
Top Chef
Cast
Top Chef is a reality competition series wherein aspiring chefs from around the world compete in various cooking challenges. The show, hosted by Padma Lakshmi, features a rotating panel of judges who evaluate the contestants' creations, ultimately deciding who gets eliminated each week. The show has received multiple awards and nominations, highlighting its impact on both the culinary world and reality television.
19Survivor
47 Seasons
As one of the original reality TV competition shows,Survivorhas been around since 2000when it was branded as more of a social experiment than a competition. AlthoughSurvivorhas been one of the longest-running reality TV shows, it continues to refresh itself year after year. The early seasons of the series focused on the survivalist aspect of the show. However, once it became clear that it was, more than anything, a game of social strategy, the show became more complex.
Throughout the years,Survivorhas become one of the most-watched reality TV showsin the genre, creating household names out of some of its players. SomeSurvivorcastaways have gone on to become hosts of their own, while others have continued playing reality TV competitions on other series. Though there have been changes throughout the years to the structure of the game and the style in which it is played,Survivorseasons rarely disappoint.
Survivor
Survivor is a reality competition series set in remote locations where contestants, divided into tribes, must survive with minimal resources for approximately 39 days. Participants face physical challenges for rewards and immunity, with losing tribes attending Tribal Council to vote off a member. Released in 2000.
18Sister Wives
19 Seasons
The exploration of theBrown family has been incredible throughout the run ofSister Wives,which is an incredibly binge-worth reality TV show. Following Kody Brown and his four wives, Meri Brown, Janelle Brown, Christine Brown, and Robyn Brown, the show is an in-depth exploration into plural marriage. While Kody and Robyn are the only couple still together in the current timeline, seeing Kody’s marriages to his other wives crumble is worth the watch.
Kody, the patriarch of the family, isthe father of 18 children who often appearon the series in its early seasons. Seeing the state of a plural marriage in the modern era is fascinating on its own, but with the dynamics of the Brown family building into the story of the series,there’s a lot to glean fromSister Wives.A fun watch, most won’t even realize how deep into the series they’ve gotten until they’re too hooked to turn back.
Sister Wives
Sister Wives is a TV series created for TLC that follows Kody Brown and his four wives as they raise their eighteen children and tackle the challenges associated with their massive family dynamic and the stigma that comes with their way of life.
1790 Day Fiancé
10 Seasons
90 Day Fiancé’sunique premise captivates viewers from the start, with couples from different countries navigating the complexities of culture for love, all while dealing with the the K-1 visa process. Each season introduces a fresh batch of couples, each with their own dynamic storylines that keep the show engaging and unpredictable. With couples typically going on an emotional rollercoaster, viewers become invested in some journeys and frustrated with others. With some couples dealing with major culture clash while others find an ease in each other,90DFhas it all.
Typical90 Day Fiancéstars tend to have big personalities, meaning that viewers are rarely bored by the series. Prone to intense confrontation, things often get dramatic for the couples on the show as they navigate their way through the legal process that will keep them together in the US. While some seasons feature more enthusiastic or successful couples than others,90 Day Fiancéis one of the perfectbinges for those who love drama in their reality TV.
90 Day Fiancé
90 Day Fiancé follows international couples navigating the challenges of cultural differences and family dynamics under the pressure of a 90-day fiancé visa in the pursuit of marriage and lasting love. Released in 2014, the series explores the complexities of cross-border relationships within the set timeframe.
16The Circle
7 Seasons
The first-ever competition reality TV series designed from social media,The Circleis one of Netflix’s most unique shows. Bringing together a group of competitors who have the opportunity to come into the game as their authentic selves or a catfish, each player must create a profile of their own to compete in the game.The faux social media platform namedThe Circle,then brings the cast together to chat and get to know one another through games and challenges.
Throughout the game, players must keep themselves ranked well enough to avoid being blocked by the rest of the cast, virtually eliminating them from the game. While some cast members find themselves struggling to keep up with the social aspect of the game, others excel in being themselves just enough to win people over. With twists and turns making each season a bit different,The Circleis a fun, strategic binge.
The Circle
The Circle is a reality competition show initially conceived as a British series until this American adaptation launched on Netflix in 2020. In The Circle, players live in temporary apartments separate from one another. They must communicate through a custom-made social media platform for the game show to win $100,000. Players can lie and present themselves however they wish, allowing them to cheat the rankings to be rated higher by other contestants. If a contestant is “blocked,” they are removed from the game. Once eliminated, the true identity of a player will be revealed to the remaining contestants.
15The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills
13 Seasons
As one of the longest-running iterations of theReal Housewivesfranchise,The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hillshas long been one of the most interesting shows on the air. With a rotating cast of housewives,RHOBHbrings together some of the most glamorous women in the chicest neighborhoodto ensure that the drama will never run dry. From the original cast with Kyle Richards and her sister Kim Richards holding court, to the current cast featuring Kyle and Erika Jayne, the iterations of the series have been fascinating to watch.
While the drama ofThe Real Housewives Of Beverly Hillshas always been great to watch, the current seasons explore relationship dynamics that aren’t often seen on TV. Kyle, whose marriage to Mauricio Umansky crumbled after decades together, has been one of the longest-runningHousewivesin the franchise.Seeing her living through a brutal media circus because of her split was covered onRHOBH,and makes it a must-watch.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsis a popular reality TV show that focuses on some of the wealthiest women in the United States who crave the lavish life of Beverly Hills. Series regulars include Kyle Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, and Camille Grammer.The Real Housewives of Beverly Hillshas struck a chord with viewers since 2010, with people consistently tuning in to watch the show’s over-the-top drama.
14Big Brother
26 Seasons
Another long-running reality TV competition series,Big Brotherwas introduced in 2000 to mixed reviews. The series brought together a group of houseguests and sequestered them in a house to live with one another and compete for food, luxury, and power as they move through a rigorous summer-long game. While the first season is a bit different than the others, the evolution of the game is a fascinating one, andBig Brotherhas become one of the most-watched competition shows of all time.
With the series spanning over multiple decades, the game has changed throughout the years, butBig Brotheris fascinating from season to season. Seeing the dynamics between the houseguests, the way they choose to play the game from a strategic standpoint, and the difficulty that many have in physical competition is always of interest. WithBig Brother26close to its endpoint, there will be another complete season to add to the binge-watch list soon.
Big Brother
Big Brotheris a reality game show that is based on a Dutch series of the same name. Each season, contestants, known as HouseGuests, live in the same house and compete for upwards of $500,000. Contestants are constantly monitored by cameras placed throughout the house and are voted out each week in an eviction
13Love Is Blind
Love Is Blindhas become one of Netflix’s top shows, creating space for itself in the reality TV dating genre. Created by the same production team behindMarried At First Sight,the series features a surprising premise that captivated audiences when it first premiered. Singles from a specific area enter isolated pods where they communicate without seeing each other, aiming to form deep emotional connections. Once they’re engaged, the couples finally meet face-to-face to explore a physical connection that hopefully aligns with their emotional bond.
AlthoughLove Is Blindhas led to some successful marriages, its overall success rate is fairly low in comparison to other shows. Despite lawsuits that have made some viewers hesitant to watch, the experience has been at least somewhat positive for most participants. With seven seasons of the U.S. version and multiple international adaptations,Love Is Blindis worth the binge.
Love Is Blind
Love Is Blind is a reality series where participants date and become engaged without seeing each other. The experiment examines whether emotional connections can outweigh physical appearances as couples decide if they will marry after meeting face-to-face for the first time.
12The Real Housewives Of New York
15 Seasons
TheReal Housewives of New York Cityis anotherReal Housewivesseries that keeps viewers hooked with its blend of drama, humor, and authenticity. The series offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of affluent women navigating personal and professional challenges in the fast-paced world of New York City. Packed with engaging storylines, from lavish parties and extravagant trips to heartfelt moments and explosive confrontations,RHONYhas been a viewer favorite from the beginning.
The dynamic casting onRHONYsets it apart from otherReal Housewivesshows. With each housewife bringing their unique personalities and backgrounds into the series, viewers are always rooting for or against someone.The reality behindRHONYmakes it more relatable than some of the otherReal Housewivesshows, ensuring that viewers know that even behind the lavish, luxurious lifestyles of the women on the series, they’re living a similar human experience.
The Real Housewives of New York City
The second iteration in the Real Housewives reality television franchise, The Real Housewives of New York City chronicles the drama and daily lives of women in the Big Apple. With over a dozen seasons, the show has launched the careers of entrepreneurs and television personalities such as Bethenny Frankel and Luann de Lesseps.
11The Bachelor
28 Seasons
The Bachelorwasone of the first reality TV dating shows to capture mainstream audience attention. Premiering in 2002 on ABC, it was one of the first reality TV dating shows on network television. The series has consistently showcased fairy-tale romance through its various seasons. The format allows theBachelorto meet and connect with a group of around 30 women at first, pushing the lead to make weekly eliminations as he explores romantic possibilities.
WhilesomeBachelorleads have found true love on the show, others have experienced heartbreak. Each season ofThe Bachelorprovides a unique journey, even if the media occasionally draws comparisons between them. WithThe Bachelorseason 28concluding with Joey Graziadei engaged to Kelsey Anderson, the series has brought success to several leads and ensured its place in the cultural zeitgeist.
The Bachelor
The series centers on a single bachelor selecting a romantic partner from a group of contestants, with episodes featuring various challenges and eliminations.
