Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
I searched for this and there was a name your top 10 reality shows thread back in 2011. A lot has changed since then. Name your top five reality shows. Feel free to add honorable mentions.
My Top Five:
1. The Challenge: Dubbed by many as America's fifth sport. I absolutely love this show especially how well designed some of the challenges and final competitions are. I also like that competitors can keep coming back on the show. You get to see the cast grow from their early 20's to late 30's and early 40's.
2. The Amazing Race: I love the incredible scenic shots and that whoever crosses the finish line first wins.
3. Survivor: Still compelling after 40 seasons although some interference by producers is making the show difficult to watch at times.
4. Shark Tank: I'm still amazed at some of the businesses/inventions that show up looking for deals.
5. The Great British Baking Show: Who would have thought that people baking in a tent would be so entertaining?
Honorable Mention: The Mole: The first two seasons hosted by Anderson Cooper were fantastic.
Honorable Mention: The Bachelor: A guilty pleasure that helps me get through my hour long exercise bike workouts.
Honorable Mention: The Real World: A groundbreaking show that was also one of the first reality shows.
My Top Five:
1. The Challenge: Dubbed by many as America's fifth sport. I absolutely love this show especially how well designed some of the challenges and final competitions are. I also like that competitors can keep coming back on the show. You get to see the cast grow from their early 20's to late 30's and early 40's.
2. The Amazing Race: I love the incredible scenic shots and that whoever crosses the finish line first wins.
3. Survivor: Still compelling after 40 seasons although some interference by producers is making the show difficult to watch at times.
4. Shark Tank: I'm still amazed at some of the businesses/inventions that show up looking for deals.
5. The Great British Baking Show: Who would have thought that people baking in a tent would be so entertaining?
Honorable Mention: The Mole: The first two seasons hosted by Anderson Cooper were fantastic.
Honorable Mention: The Bachelor: A guilty pleasure that helps me get through my hour long exercise bike workouts.
Honorable Mention: The Real World: A groundbreaking show that was also one of the first reality shows.
#2
Banned by request
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
I was about to talk poop about reality shows in general, but hell I watch some. So that argument's moot for me. In no particular order:
Top Chef
Great British Baking Show
Project Runway (the old one with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Their new show isn't all that.)
And a lot of HGTV ones like: Fixer Upper, Love It or List It, Property Bros, Good Bones
Favorite Trash Show: You're Cut Off (I think it was VH1 and just a train wreck.)
Top Chef
Great British Baking Show
Project Runway (the old one with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Their new show isn't all that.)
And a lot of HGTV ones like: Fixer Upper, Love It or List It, Property Bros, Good Bones
Favorite Trash Show: You're Cut Off (I think it was VH1 and just a train wreck.)
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
In no order:
Big Brother
The Bachelor
Blind Date
Paradise Hotel
Elimidate
I'm a sucker for reality tv dating shows.
Big Brother
The Bachelor
Blind Date
Paradise Hotel
Elimidate
I'm a sucker for reality tv dating shows.
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
I haven’t watched a reality show in years but the first season of Survivor the first season of The Mole, and the first 3 or 4 seasons of Deadliest Catch are the only times I’ve ever enjoyed a reality show.
I’ll occasionally watch Naked and Afraid or one of those “survive in the wild” type shows but I’m not sure they’d be considered “Reality Shows” and they’re mostly only good for background noise while I’m cleaning the house or something.
I’ll occasionally watch Naked and Afraid or one of those “survive in the wild” type shows but I’m not sure they’d be considered “Reality Shows” and they’re mostly only good for background noise while I’m cleaning the house or something.
#5
TOTY Winner 2018 and Inane Thread Master
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Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Used to watch Jersey Shore and Cops and old Blind Date if that is truly a reality show and I did get into Real World and Road Rules in early years, but Cops takes all 5 spots and I’m so sad it’s over...
1. Cops
2. Real World (early few years)
3. Jersey Shore
4. Road Rules (early years)
5. Blind Date (first run or whatever)
1. Cops
2. Real World (early few years)
3. Jersey Shore
4. Road Rules (early years)
5. Blind Date (first run or whatever)
Last edited by OldBoy; 06-17-20 at 09:13 PM.
#6
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Easily the worst television genre. The only one's I've loved:
Real World Seasons 1-4
An Idiot Abroad / The Moaning of Life
Dr. K Exotic Animal ER
Dr. T Lone Star Vet
Edit:
Forgot about Nathan for You and Magic for Humans if those are going to be considering reality shows. Both fantastic.
Real World Seasons 1-4
An Idiot Abroad / The Moaning of Life
Dr. K Exotic Animal ER
Dr. T Lone Star Vet
Edit:
Forgot about Nathan for You and Magic for Humans if those are going to be considering reality shows. Both fantastic.
#7
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Real World (early seasons before Hawaii)
Rock of Love
Sorority Life (S1 & 2)
Hoarders
The Surreal Life
Obviously, my tastes tend toward classy, sophisticated fare.
Rock of Love
Sorority Life (S1 & 2)
Hoarders
The Surreal Life
Obviously, my tastes tend toward classy, sophisticated fare.
#9
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
In no particular order:
Amazing Race
The Profit
Ghost Hunters
Jersey Shore
The Mole
Amazing Race
The Profit
Ghost Hunters
Jersey Shore
The Mole
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
The first few seasons of The Amazing Race were probably the best of the bunch of reality shows but it’s frenetic pacing gave me so much anxiety I couldn’t even watch.
#11
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Big Brother (as long as you include the live feeds)
Survivor
LivePD
The Challenge
Amazing Race
The Real World
Sorry, more than 5.
The Circle could make it there if it gets enough seasons in the future.
Also, Beauty and The Geek...ok, not really, but it was fun and people seem to have completely forgotten about it.
Survivor
LivePD
The Challenge
Amazing Race
The Real World
Sorry, more than 5.
The Circle could make it there if it gets enough seasons in the future.
Also, Beauty and The Geek...ok, not really, but it was fun and people seem to have completely forgotten about it.
#12
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
60 Minutes
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
The first few seasons of Beauty and the Geek were fun to watch but by the later seasons the women who went on the show kind of manipulated the premise as its pretty easy to play dumb to try and win the money.
#15
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Top chef - still going strong
amazing race - still kicking
survivor - watched the first 20 season, then started again this last one with my daughters
Project runway - the tim and head version
American idol/voice - first few seasons of idol were great, voice has been a solid show the past 5+ years
trading spaces - fun show back in the day
amazing race - still kicking
survivor - watched the first 20 season, then started again this last one with my daughters
Project runway - the tim and head version
American idol/voice - first few seasons of idol were great, voice has been a solid show the past 5+ years
trading spaces - fun show back in the day
#16
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Bonus question - do you know anyone that has appeared on a reality show?
One of my relatives was on Fraternity Life (MTV) season 2, which took place at UC Santa Cruz. I don't think it did too well in the ratings and was pretty much buried. Now, it's even hard to find stuff on the internet about it.
One of my relatives was on Fraternity Life (MTV) season 2, which took place at UC Santa Cruz. I don't think it did too well in the ratings and was pretty much buried. Now, it's even hard to find stuff on the internet about it.
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Do cooking shows count?
1. Good Eats
2. the Guy Fieri show
3. MXC
The rest are not worth mentioning.
1. Good Eats
2. the Guy Fieri show
3. MXC
The rest are not worth mentioning.
#19
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
I'm a reality show sucker, but it has to be somewhat intelligent for me to stick with it.
Amazing Race is by far my favorite.
Survivor
Project runway - watched the first one by accident and stayed with it from then on
Joe Schmoe - I thought this was brilliant!
Big Brother - I know I said somewhat intelligent but this one is just damn fun and hate-able!
Honorable mentions: The "it" Factor (Jeremy Renner was in thesthe season), Tengo Talento Mucho Talento, Road Rules.
Amazing Race is by far my favorite.
Survivor
Project runway - watched the first one by accident and stayed with it from then on
Joe Schmoe - I thought this was brilliant!
Big Brother - I know I said somewhat intelligent but this one is just damn fun and hate-able!
Honorable mentions: The "it" Factor (Jeremy Renner was in thesthe season), Tengo Talento Mucho Talento, Road Rules.
#20
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Reality shows are almost always better in season one when contestants haven't figured out what the producers are looking for and can't game their appearances.
I still have never seen anything like Paradise Hotel Season One. It transcended reality.
I still have never seen anything like Paradise Hotel Season One. It transcended reality.
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#22
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Bonus question - do you know anyone that has appeared on a reality show?
One of my relatives was on Fraternity Life (MTV) season 2, which took place at UC Santa Cruz. I don't think it did too well in the ratings and was pretty much buried. Now, it's even hard to find stuff on the internet about it.
One of my relatives was on Fraternity Life (MTV) season 2, which took place at UC Santa Cruz. I don't think it did too well in the ratings and was pretty much buried. Now, it's even hard to find stuff on the internet about it.
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MLBFan24 (06-18-20)
#23
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Challenge would have to be No. 1 for me. You knew all the contestants so there were usually no duds, awesome competitions, eye candy, drama. Perfect show.
I'd put Big Brother slightly ahead of Survivor because even bad seasons of Big Brother are still entertaining whereas Survivor has really dropped off.
Similarly Amazing Race was terrific in early seasons but recent seasons have been chores to finish. Early Project Runway and Top Chef felt really fresh. I guess the theme is most of these shows get stale.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Name Your Top Five Reality Shows of all Time
Bar Rescue
Blind Date
Comic Book Men
Cops
Intervention
Blind Date
Comic Book Men
Cops
Intervention



