The list is highly debatable and in some ways depends on how you define exactly what Reality TV happens to be. There could almost be two categories, one for Reality TV game shows (American Idol, Survivor, etc.), and another for plain Reality TV (The Real World, The Hills, etc.) where there is no real point to the show.
2. THE REAL WORLD
The reality show that started it all is still one of the best ones out there after 17 years and 21 seasons. It all began with seven strangers in New York in 1992 who lived together while we watched the drama unfold. The envelope’s been pushed time after time, first with an openly gay roommate living with HIV(Pedro Zamora), then with an alcoholic’s addiction (Ruthie Alcaide), and later with threesomes getting it on in a hot tub (Steven, Trishelle and Brynn).
Every season brings us something new and unexpected, but the roommate stereotypes are generally always the same. There have definitely been more boring and forgettable seasons than others, but casts like San Francisco, Miami, Hawaii, Back to New York, Las Vegas and Austin make us fall on love all over again.
This show spawned other popular favorites like Road Rules and the Challenges that bring together all our favorite crazies from seasons past. But without the original, none of the other awesome shows would be successful. Real World has definitely made television and pop culture history.
All Stars: Eric Nies, David “Puck” Rainey, Teck Holmes, Coral Smith, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, CT Tamburella, Trishelle Cannatella, Tonya Cooley, Beth Stolarczyk, Aneesa Ferreira
3. AMERICAN IDOL
Those two words excite massive screams and cheers from millions of teeny boppers world wide, but the phenomenon has hooked the entire nation- young and old. Whether it’s actually the show’s talent, the hallucinating contestants who truly believe they are the greatest singer to ever audition, the snarky comments from Simon Cowell, or the apparent drunkenness of Paula Abdul- millions of viewers tune in week after week, year after year.
With no real formatting changes in seven years, for this eighth season a fourth judge was added in Kara DioGuardi. And though many winners have been one-hit-wonders (Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard), Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have legitimized the talent competition. And with the massive success of Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson, we have seen that you don’t have to even place in the final three of this mega-hit to make it big. David Cook is also here to stay- I think his name is one we will hear for years to come.
All Stars: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Sanjaya Malakar, William Hung, Nikki McKibbin, Elliott Yamin, Mandisa, Kellie Pickler, David Cook
4. THE AMAZING RACE
Having been around since 2001 and with 13 successful seasons, this hit show is a cult favorite. Eleven or twelve teams of two travel around the world, racing to each “pit stop” while competing in crazy challenges and using limited money and resources along the way. Each race has a set amount of pre-determined non-elimination legs where the last team to arrive is not eliminated but must run the next leg with a significant disadvantage… Usually that week the people we hate the most end up getting to stay.
While a lot of time is spent away from other teams, there is always a fair share of drama between cast-mates. Teams vary in relationship, including: homo and heterosexual couples, newly dating couples and long-time lovers, fraternity brothers, siblings, family members, friends, and divorcees. The show is fast-paced and stressful, but America just can’t seem to get enough… With 11 Emmy awards and a spawn of international versions, it seems to be universal.
All Stars: Uchenna & Joyce, Eric & Danielle, Charla & Mirna, BJ & Tyler, Danny & Oswald
It all depends on your taste as to what you prefer. Many experts thought Reality TV would be a fade that would die as quickly as it exploded onto the scene. Reality TV is likely here to stay because many of us viewers can relate to the ordinary, common folks that often appear on the shows.