Reality television has gotten out of hand. At least, that’s what the general reality TV-hating portion of the public would say. Today we can keep up with certain families, follow wives around various cities, unmask costumed celebrities, and watch people fall in (and out) of love in days or weeks. This genre has a stigma attached to it. Despite “real” and “reality” being right there in the name, many people view it as fake, shallow, and inauthentic.
Let’s not beat around the bush, some reality shows are definitely guilty of being as “real” as a unicorn. Because of that, certain people avoid reality television altogether, which is a shame because there are great shows out there. From ones that take a more documentary approach to those that highlight different kinds of people, professions, and places, an entire world of amazing series exists. Here are 10 great reality TV shows… for people who hate reality TV.
10 Blown Away (2019—present)
Many reality shows focus on regular people doing everyday things. That’s not the most appealing for every kind of viewer. Competition reality shows about singing, baking, modeling, or dancing have been around forever. The Canadian series Blown Away brings together ten glassblowers to prove who is the most talented. It takes place in the largest hot shop in North America and at the end, the winning artist receives a spot in a residency and a cash prize.
A Celebration of Art
Most people don’t know the intricacies of glassblowing so that alone sets Blown Away apart from other reality competition shows. In each episode, the contestants are given a new challenge, like incorporating candies and taking inspiration from the Seven Deadly Sins. It’s evident each person and the show’s creators have a deep appreciation of the art of glassblowing. It’s still lighthearted and fun, but not as predictable as other shows that gain more attention online.
9 Terrace House (2012–2020)
Several reality shows have run with the premise of throwing a bunch of random people into a house and seeing what happens. The Real World, Big Brother, and Jersey Shore, to name a few. But there’s something special about Terrace House that reality TV loathers should give a try. The show puts six strangers together in a house and see what happens as they get to know each other, and perhaps fall for one another.
Beauty in Simplicity
As stated before, many people avoid reality TV because of how fake it feels. Terrace House leaves the opposite impression. One Reddit user wrote, “Nothing is forced. Usually, reality television is faked or they set up ‘dramatic’ situations in order to elicit a certain response. Terrace House isn’t like that at all.” Whether it be to great casting or minimal studio involvement, this Japanese series is a perfect watch for those who love studying people.
8 Dopesick Nation (2018)
Dopesick Nation (also called American Relapse and American Junkie) is a hard-hitting documentary series revolving around addiction. Drug dependency is a serious issue, one that Allie and Frankie know intimately. Both of them are recovering addicts and despite the constant struggles, are determined to help others get their life on a better track. Going through the streets of southern Florida, they encounter individuals in the depths of their addiction.
A Face to an Epidemic
Think all reality TV shows are fluff? Dopesick Nation counters that with a sucker punch to the face. Vice is known for pushing the envelope with its content. Some scenes in Dopesick Nation are hard to watch, such as when Allie saves a man’s life on camera. Yet it’s important these scenes are out in the world, showing the dangers of drugs while also humanizing the people wrapped up in it. Both Allie and Frankie are compelling subjects to follow over this ten-episode series.
7 Below Deck (2013 – Present)
If you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of mega yachts sailing in crystal blue waters, look no further than Below Deck. It documents the lives of crew members who work and live on yachts. Each season takes place in a new scenic location. St. Maarten. The Bahamas. Thailand. Grenada. While some cast members wash in and out for a single season, others are repeat crew members, giving viewers a chance to get to know them.
All Aboard!
This series is perfect for those who hate reality TV but don’t necessarily want a heavy, dark series. Viewers get the glitz and glam from sailing in tropical destinations, but the crew members themselves are (for the most part) relatively down-to-earth and relatable. The clients they’re working for may be multimillionaires or billionaires, but the crew isn’t. There’s some drama, but the uniqueness of their job and the bond between the crew don’t get lost in the heated moments.
6 Encore! (2019 – 2020)
Encore! is a heartwarming reality TV show that makes the thought of a high school reunion less scary. Hosted by Kristen Bell, the show reunites high school drama club members as adults and follows them as they attempt to recreate past performances. Lots have changed with the former classmates. Relationships and friendships ended, careers went in unexpected directions, tragedies struck, and more. But in the end, their love for theater has remained intact.
No Toxicity Needed
This series feels like a warm hug and a steaming cup of tea on a winter day. Seeing adults allow themselves to be like children, playing, goofing around, and learning, is beautiful to see. Audiences have enough reality TV filled with constant fighting and backstabbing, it’s refreshing for a series to lean in the opposite direction. As with the former theater kids themselves, viewers will feel the urge to laugh, cry, and belt out a song throughout this show.
5 True Life (1998 – 2017)
Even years after its final episode, True Life is one of MTV’s longest-running shows. This documentary-style reality show spanned twenty-one seasons with more episodes than you’d find days in a year. Each installment follows a particular theme or topic, with a new person at the forefront. It can vary from the relatively mundane like “I’m Going to Mardi Gras” to the more peculiar “I Live Another Life on the Web.”
Something for Everyone
One drawback of some of the most popular reality TV shows is you have to keep up with it. Missed a few episodes or didn’t hear about an entire season and you’re stuck playing catchup or giving up on the show entirely. With True Life, viewers don’t have that problem. They can jump into any episode based on what topic calls to them. With the massive options, one would be hard-pressed to find something that didn’t appeal to them.
4 Nightwatch (2015—present)
Nightwatch follows emergency service workers who specifically work the night shift. It takes place mostly in New Orleans, Louisiana, apart from a brief switch-up for season four which was in Tampa, Florida. The series mainly focuses on the EMTs and police officers of the city and typically ends as the team is heading home as the sun goes up. While it may seem like another “law enforcement show,” this one is not like the others.
The Best Team
Specifically focusing on the New Orleans seasons, the vibrant nightlife of the city, and also the darker underbelly gives so much life to the show. But what gives it the heart are the people. Fan favorite EMTs are Holly, Dan, Titus, and Nick and their personalities are electric, as well as their Louisiana twang calling everyone “baby.” When they interact with patients it can switch from hilarious to heartbreaking in a matter of moments, and through it all this team shows strength, grace, and patience.
3 Catfish (2012—present)
The term “catfish” referring to an individual creating a fake identity online has been around for a while, but Catfish: The TV Show popularized the term for the layperson. Host Nev Schulman was a victim of catfishing himself when he fell in love with a woman he met online. Now, along with his co-host Max Joseph, they go around the country helping others who’ve met the loves of their lives online but have yet to meet them face-to-face.
Real Life Trolls
This series is frustrating in the best way. Some of the situations will make viewers want to pull their hair out. From a guy thinking he was talking to Katy Perry to people sending thousands of dollars to someone who only does video calls with the lights off. But it’s not all forehead-slapping scenarios. Every so often there’s a happy ending, and Nev and Max get to the bottom of why a person was nervous to meet the person they’ve been dating. It’s a different spin on a reality love show.
2 Swamp People (2010—present)
What about the viewers who don’t want to watch millionaires in Los Angeles or New York? Does a show exist that doesn’t highlight glossy, Photoshopped lives? Indeed, it does. Swamp People revolves around alligator hunters who do their day’s work at the Atchafalaya Swamp in Louisiana. Optimal hunting season lasts for just a month in September and there’s a ceiling for how many gators they can hunt.
A Tough Job
Alligators are known for lurking about in the American South and are animals most try to avoid at all costs. Yet the hunters in Swamp People actively seek these creatures out and place themselves in their path. It’s a dangerous job, of course, but one that’s vitally important to the livelihood of these people. The show typically steers away from showing bloody, gory moments, though the battle between human and beast never fails to come across.
1 Couples Therapy (2019 -present)
Most love-centric shows focus on people falling in love. How about a series for people falling out of love or fighting to stay in love? In Showtime’s Couples Therapy, therapist Orna Guralnik invites cameras into her office as she treats couples at different stages in their relationships. One thing they have in common, however, is conflict. Some have been married for decades, while others are newer in their relationship. Whatever the case, Guralnik is there to offer her insight.
Real People, Real Life
Not enough people talk about this show. Yes, there’s conflict and drama, but not in the explosive, meme-worthy (and often staged) way of other reality series. Contestants’ participations in other reality shows is often thought to be related to fame, claiming their fifteen seconds of stardom.
Here, it’s clear these people aren’t looking for more followers, but are instead deciding if their future will involve the person sitting beside them on the couch or not. It’s raw, deep, and thoroughly entertaining.
