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 relevant. Even though things have become instant and binge-able over the years, the advent of reality TV isn’t exactly built for binge-watching. The first reality television shows outside of game shows and documentaries appeared in the late early 1990s and carried a stigma with them in the mid-2000s. While reality TV is always fun, it is not always accepted by the masses.
For those who were interested in reality television during its early years, it was primarily on cable television rather than network and featured subjects in their mid to late 20s having life-altering experiences. The real world And Road rules were 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 shortly thereafter by Social experiments disguised as competition shows how survivors And big brother, Things quickly evolved in the genre and diversified, creating a whole new playing field.
While viewers were intrigued by reality television in the early years, it did not become must-see television until the mid-2000s, when network television began to realize that it was worth the cost to make. yet survivors And big brother Are heat, other competition shows like American Idol came into play, and the reality TV dating sub-genre began to pick up with the creation of The bachelor And The Bachelorette. with A mix of observational reality and competitionThe dating series quickly skyrocketed in popularity and changed the game all over again.
Although there were some who would tape or record reality television shows and binge-watch them on their own, the idea of ​​binge-watching only existed on a cable television network when a marathon of reality television would be shown on air. Although the internet was available and ready, catching a reality TV show online wasn’t always the norm until streaming services started popping up in the 2010s. Although there were some who were still committed to weekly watching, Many began to understand the appeal of binge-watching And decided to jump on the bandwagon.
Now, binge-watching is the norm for all TV viewers, not just those who watch reality shows. With the ability to watch as many episodes as are available at once, binge-watching helps with the need for instant gratification. It allows reality TV fans to catch up on their favorite shows or find new, Leaving viewers able to take their fate into their own hands…at least, when it comes to what they’re watching.
20
Top chef
21 seasons
Originally airing during the reality TV boom of the mid-2000s, Top chef is an ideal series to watch for several reasons. First and foremost, as a cooking competition, Top chef Has one of the most unique and transformable premises of any reality TV show. Changing cities, cuisines and judges during its run, the show brings together culinary masterminds in the hopes of honing their craft and winning the competition.
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put on bravo, Top chef Invite 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. Although there are some seasons that are better than others, Top chef Has 21 seasons to binge and continues to deliver with each and every one. like Top chef Season 22 approaches, rewatching the entire series would be a great refresher for any viewer.
Top Chef is a reality competition series in which 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 is eliminated each week. The show has received multiple awards and nominations, highlighting its impact on both the culinary world and reality television.
- Figure
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Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi, Gail Simmons, Richard Blaze, Casey Thompson, Emeril Lagasse, Kristen Kish, Hugh Acheson
- Release date
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February 15, 2006
- Seasons
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22
- Main genre
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Game show
19
survivors
47 seasons
As one of the original reality television competition shows, survivors It has been around since 2000 when it was branded as more of a social experiment than a competition. Although survivors was one of the longest-running reality television showsIt keeps refreshing 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 complicated.
throughout the years, survivors has become one of the most watched reality television shows In the genre, creating household names from some of its players. Some survivors Castaways went on to become hosts of their own, while others continued to play reality TV competitions in other series. Although there have been changes over the years to the structure of the game and the style in which it is played, survivors Seasons rarely disappoint.
18
sister wife
19 seasons
The investigation by the US Brown family was incredible throughout the run of sister wife, Which is an incredibly binge-worthy reality TV show. Following Cody Brown and his four wives, Meri Brown, Janelle Brown, Christine Brown and Robyn Brown, the show is an in-depth investigation into plural marriage. While Cody and Robin are the only couple still together in the current timeline, watching Cody’s marriages to his other wives crumble is worth the watch.
Cody, the patriarch of the family, is the father of 18 children who often appear in the series in the 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 in the story of the series, There is a lot to choose from sister wife. A fun watch, most won’t even realize how deep into the series they’ve gotten until they’re too hooked to turn back.
17
90 day fiance
10 seasons
90 day fiance Unique premise captivates viewers from the startFeaturing couples from different countries navigating the complexities of culture for love, all while dealing with 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 solace in each other, 90DF Has it all.
Typical 90 day fiance Stars tend to have big personalitiesMeaning 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 have more enthusiastic or successful couples than others, 90 day fiance is one of the perfect binges for those who love drama in their reality TV.
16
The circle
7 seasons
The first competition reality TV series designed from social media, The circle is one of Netflix’s most unique shows. Bringing together a group of competitors who have the opportunity to enter the game as their real selves or catfish, each player must create a profile of their own to compete in the game. The Fox social media platform named The circle, Then bring the cast together to chat and get to know one another through games and challenges.
Throughout the game, players must stay 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 play, others excel at being themselves just enough to win people over. With twists and turns making each season a little different, The circle is a fun, strategic binge.
15
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
13 seasons
As one of the longest-running iterations of the Real Housewives franchise, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Has long been one of the most interesting shows on the air. With a rotating cast of housewives, RHOBH Brings together some of the most glamorous women in the hottest neighborhood To ensure that the drama will never run dry. From the original cast starring Kyle Richards and her sister Kim Richards, to the current cast starring Kyle and Erika Jayne, the series’ iterations have been fascinating to watch.
While the drama of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Has always been great to watch, the current seasons explore relationship dynamics that aren’t often seen on TV. Kyle, whose marriage to Mauricio Umansky broke up after decades together, was one of the longest-running Owners In the franchise. Seeing her live through a brutal media circus because of her split was covered up RHOBH, And makes it a must-watch.
14
big brother
26 seasons
Another long-running reality television competition series, big brother was introduced in 2000 to mixed reviews. The series assembled 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 little different than the others, the evolution of the game is fascinating, and big brother has become one of the most watched competition shows of all time.
With the series spanning multiple decades, the game has changed over the years, however big brother Is fascinating from time to time. To see the dynamics between the households, the way they choose to play the game from a strategic point of view, and the difficulty that many have in physical competition is always of interest. with big brother 26 nearing its endpoint, there will be another full season soon to add to the binge-watch list.
13
Love is blind
7 seasons
Love is blind has become one of Netflix’s top shows, creating space for itself in the reality TV dating genre. Created by the same production team behind Married 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, with the aim of forming deep emotional connections. Once engaged, the couples finally meet face-to-face to explore a physical connection that hopefully aligns with their emotional bond.
Although Love is blind Has led to several successful marriagesIts overall success rate is fairly low compared to other shows. Despite lawsuits that made some viewers hesitant to watch, the experience was at least somewhat positive for most participants. With seven seasons of the U.S. it. version and multiple international adaptations, Love is blind is worth the binge.
12
The Real Housewives of New York
15 seasons
The Real Housewives of New York City is another Real Housewives Series that keeps viewers hooked with its blend of drama, humor and authenticity. The series offers an intimate look into the lives of affluent women navigating personal and professional challenges in the fast-paced world of New York City. Packed with engaging stories, from extravagant parties and extravagant trips to heartwarming moments and explosive confrontations, RHONY Was a viewer favorite from the start.
The dynamic casting on RHONY Set it apart from others Real Housewives Points. With each housemate bringing their own unique personalities and backgrounds to the series, viewers are always rooting for or against someone. The fact behind RHONY Makes it more relatable than some of the others Real Housewives PointsEnsuring that viewers know that even behind the extravagant, luxurious lifestyles of the women in the series, they live a similar human experience.
11
The bachelor
28 seasons
The bachelor was One of the first reality TV dating shows to capture the attention of mainstream audiences. Premiering in 2002 on ABC, it was one of the first reality television dating shows on network television. The series has consistently featured fairy-tale romance through its various seasons. The format allows the Bachelor To meet and connect with a group of around 30 women at first, pushing the lead to make weekly eliminations as he explores romantic possibilities.
While Some Bachelor Leeds have found true love on the show, others have experienced heartbreak. Every season of The bachelor presents a unique journey, even if the media occasionally draws comparisons between them. with The bachelor Season 28, concluding with Joey Graziadei engaged to Kelsey Anderson, the series has brought success to several leads and ensured its place in the cultural times.
10
Vanderpump rules
11 seasons
A spin-off from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules Follows the staff of Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant SUR as they work together, play together and fight together. Early seasons of the series followed a specific group of servers and bartenders through their interpersonal and professional relationships, and while they often had some heavy drama following them, the group was incredible to watch. Led by Stacy Schroeder, Scheana Shea, Katie Maloney, Jax Taylor, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz, The cast was magnetic in the early days of Vanderpump rules.
Although there have been casting changes and storylines that now branch out from SUR specifically, the majority of Vanderpump rules It was an incredible look into the dynamic of the friend group. with Vanderpump rules Season 10 Catching the fallout of the scandal of the century, Scandoval, on cameraThis series will go down in history as one of the best reality TV shows of all time. It’s worth the binge watch. Vanderpump rules Should be on anyone’s bucket list.
9
The Shantel family
5 seasons
Although the series is no longer part of the 90 day fiance franchise, The Shantel family is worth the binge-watch. Chantel Everett and Pedro Jimeno are the main characters of the seriesWhich was a spin-off of 90 day fiance After the couple finally got married. The families of Pedro and Chantel, who had a huge conflict after the couple got together, are featured in the show as their main support systems and opponents in one.
While Chantel and Pedro’s relationship is difficult to watch at times, the couple makes it clear that they are ready to take on whatever may come their way during The Shantel family, Trying to put on a united front in the first few seasons. The drama that ensues, mostly due to their families, is almost constant and pushes the couple apart rather than bringing them together. The wedding of Chanel and Pedro, What ended up after The Shantel family Season 5Is something to watch carefully.
8
The Secret Life of Mormon Women
1 season
The Secret Life of Mormon Women is an Eight-part docuseries on Hulu that immerse viewers in the lives of women struggling through scandal. While many shows explore the norms of women in the Mormon church, this series highlights a different side of Mormonism that is much more modern. The Secret Life of Mormon Women Cast created a TikTok content hub, creating the popular “momtok” trend.
As the docuseries unfolds, viewers get an inside look at the women’s seemingly perfect lives until a shocking revelation leaves their foundation crumbling at the core. When one member, Tyler Frankie Paul, is Exposed for leading a double life and participating in soft swinging eventsEverything changes for the group. While fans eagerly await The Secret Life of Mormon Women Season 2, the drama of the first season is worth the binge-watch.
A scandalous group of Mormon mom influencers, known as #momtok, faces the fallout of their controversial “soft swinging” lifestyle that rocked the Internet in 2022. As their friendships and reputations are tested, the docuseries explores the deep drama, broken. Trust, and the public’s reaction to their choices.
- Release date
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September 6, 2024
- Seasons
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1
7
The Bachelorette
21 seasons
The Bachelorette is a spin-off of the iconic dating series The bachelorEmpowering a female lead to take charge of her own romantic journey. While The bachelor Debuted in 2002, The first season of The Bachelorette premiered the following year, With Trista Sutter in the spotlight. After she found love with Ryan Sutter, it was evident that the new format was successful for both reality TV and matchmaking.
Often more successful than its predecessor, The Bachelorette has produced several enduring couples who have significantly impacted the reality TV landscape, and stars who have already had successful careers. Trista and Ryan have since made several appearances on different reality shows, while stars like Kaitlyn Bristowe, the lead of season 11, have been hosting her own podcast for several years. While The Bachelorette Season 21 was a tough move for the franchise, lead Jenn Tran was praised for her strength throughout.
6
below deck
11 seasons
One of Bravo’s most beloved franchises, The original below deck is a series that has captivated viewers for years. After the hard charter seasons of a superyacht crew, below deck Shows how each charter of the season plays out while the crew works hard to ensure the charter guests are happy. With interpersonal dynamics at play, friendship, romance, and everything in between can crop up from time to time, making things complicated.
below deck is the original iteration of the series, and follows the crew working with Captain Kerry Titheridge in recent seasons, but in the past, saw iconic Captain Lee Rosbach at the helm. With the crew constantly changing, the majority of below deck Seasons feature new people, new drama and new charter guests, always keeping the series fresh. move swiftly from time to time, This series is a major binge-able show.
5
Welcome to Platteville
6 seasons
Welcome to Platteville Offers an intriguing look into the lives of the Plath family, former fundamentalist Christians who chose to move away from their religion and embrace modernity. The series is packed with compelling drama, particularly revolving around the tumultuous relationship between eldest son Ethan Plath and his ex-wife Olivia Plath. married only 20 years old, Ethan and Olivia are pushed together by the family despite their young age and lack of readiness For a mature marriage.
While the show has other family tensions, especially between patriarch Barry Plath and his ex-wife Kim Plath, as recent seasons have unveiled deeper issues. in Welcome to Platteville season 6, The Plath family grapples with a new standard. Ethan is newly single, like Olivia, but she felt ready to move on with her life while he wasn’t quite there. The rest of the family navigate their dynamics without Olivia’s presence to blame their issues on. The series exposes the most difficult sides of the Plath family, even while trying to keep them safe.
4
The Golden Bachelor
1 season
The Golden BachelorOne of the latest spin-offs of The bachelorcaught Bachelor Nation when it premiered in late 2023. The highly anticipated series featured Gary Turner, a widower from Indiana, along with a group of gay women, all looking for love in their second act. Gary said his plans for a life with his late wife were shattered when she passed unexpectedly, but he was ready to open his heart again.
Although Gary and his contestants have less time than typical Bachelor Couples to join, the show thrived on its unique authenticity. Gary’s genuine approach and the strong bonds the women formed with one another created a compelling season of reality television. Despite some post-show controversies, The Golden Bachelor Remains a must-watch For fans looking for heartfelt romance and meaningful connections.
3
1000-lb sister
5 seasons
A fascinating look at weight loss, 1000-lb sister Star Tommy Salton and her sister, Amy Salton, who together at the beginning of the show about a thousand pounds. Although the series is typically lighthearted and fun, it showcases the genuine struggles that women of Tommy and Amy’s sizes face in their everyday lives. While both Amy and Tommy have tried to lose weight in the pastThe early seasons of the series found the sisters struggling with the prospect of having weight loss surgery.
like 1000-lb sister Continued, Amy and Tommy both qualified and received weight loss surgeries, but things are different for each sister. After Amy’s weight loss surgery, she welcomed two sons and eventually found herself divorced, and recently incarcerated. Tammy, on the other hand, struggled to get qualified for her surgery until a medical emergency pushed her to the edge. After the surgery, Tommy’s weight dropped, but her struggles worsened. lost her husband, Tommy still has an incredibly hard time in this binge-worthy series.
2
Selling sunset
8 seasons
Selling sunset Follows the life and drama of a group of real estate agents from the Oppenheim Group in Los Angeles. of course The series sparked a captivating trend in reality television that revolves around the luxury real estate industry. This series spotlights agents in residential real estate, showcasing their work with both buyers and developers. Originally centered around Chrishell Stause, the show highlights the area’s luxurious properties while exploring the interpersonal dynamics between the agents.
With seven seasons released and more on the way, Selling sunset has become a major success for NetflixTransforming the lives of the women featured. Viewers have connected with Chrishell as she navigates a challenging divorce, Mary Fitzgerald Bonnet as she copes with a heartbreaking miscarriage, and Amanza Smith as she faces unexplained health issues. Selling sunset Stands out as a groundbreaking series in its genre.
1
Below deck sailing yacht
5 seasons
Below deck sailing yacht is one of the more recent series in the below deck franchise, but brings the drama to an entirely different level. Following the crew of a sailing yacht, Parsifal III, the series makes its predecessors look tame. The level of drama on Below deck sailing yacht Always seems to be higher than in other seriesAnd it is likely because of the way the cast has broken down. Working under Captain Glen Shepherd, Chief Stu Daisy Kelliher and First Officer Gary King returned season after season to shake things up.
While Daisy and Gary, together with former Below deck sailing yacht Chief engineer Colin MacRae always made the show dramatic, the rest of the rotating cast offered their hand to make things interesting. With a dynamic cast every season, interesting charter guests, and a somewhat different landscape Because of the luxury sailing yacht they charter, Below deck sailing yacht tends to be different. Although it is part of the US below deck franchise, the series is often praised for its ability to stand on its own.
Source: Bravo/ Instagram,