Top 25 Reality TV Shows

Here is a list of the best 25 reality TV shows.

It consists all kinds of realities, I am sure you will find your favorite show and hopefully you next favorite show.

It was interesting making this list, hopefully you will enjoy it. Here we go!

Best Reality TV Shows Ever

Survivor

Created by: Charlie Parsons
Genre: Adventure
Running Time: 60 mins
Original Channel: CBS

Survivor was created by Charlie Parsons and started airing in 2000. So far there have been 28 seasons and 426 episodes of this adventurous reality series.

Contestants are placed in a remote island, the last remaining survivor takes home million dollars. They get separated into two groups and get certain challenges where they compete, they group that loses have to get rid of one of their members in a vote.

It’s a very entertaining show with a lot of manipulation.

The Bachelor

Created by: Mike Fleiss
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 120 mins
Original Channel: ABC

The Bachelor is on air since 2002, thus far it has 18 seasons and 156 episodes behind it. For the first 4 seasons the running time for the show was an hour, then from 2006 to 2008 for an additional half an hour and now, since 2009 for 2 hours.

The concept is that it starts with a bachelor who gets to choose from 25 women. One of them gets to be his new wife. As the show progresses he gets rid of a few women.

Another TV show that has been around for a while.

American Idol

Created by: Simon Fuller
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 22-104 mins
Original Channel: Fox

American Idol was created by Simon Fuller, the show is on air since 2002. During this time there have been a lot of judges, most nateble are Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and a few more.

Twelve finalist get to choose a song that they will sing and win the competition, these twelve competitors are chosen by the voters of America. It’s one of the best “star search” realities.

One of the most popular reality shows to date, highly recommended.

Impractical Jokers

Created by: Peter Fowkes
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 30 mins
Original Channel: TruTV

Impractical Jokers are directed by Peter Fowkes, the show started airing in 2011, since then 70 episodes were released.

Q, Murr, Joe and Sal compete against each-other in a daredevil game, the least embarrassed person most often wins the round but it doesn’t necessarily has to be the case. The loser at the end of the episode is forced to do a humiliating act chosen by the other three contestants.

My favorite reality show, it’s contagiously funny and very entertaining. You have to watch this one, you will love the four impractical jokers.

Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica

Created by:
Genre: Reality Show
Running Time: 23 mins
Original Channel: MTV

Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica was on air from 2003 to 2005, the show has Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson starring in it. There are 41 episodes of this reality series.

This show follows the pop stars Jessica Simpson and her spouse Nick Lachey in their everyday chores. It’s a reality show that is the most similar to “The Osbournes” which is also included in the list.

There are 3 seasons of this show that aired on MTV.

Air Emergency

Created by: Bernard Vaillot, Andre Barro, Greg Gransden
Genre: Drama, History
Running Time: 60 mins
Original Channel:

Air Emergency was created by Andre Barro, Bernard Vaillot and Greg Gransden, the series is on air since 2003.

Reconstruction of real-life disasters with pilot experts and witnesses. One of the best airplane dramas you will find, a great series portraying the biggest accidents as they happened.

If you enjoy history and drama then you will love this one.

Project Runway

Created by: Eli Holzman
Genre: Reality Competition
Running Time: 62-64 mins
Original Channel: Lifetime

Project Runway was created by Eli Holzman, so far there have been 13 seasons and 137 episodes of this reality since 2004 when it debuted.

Wannabe fashion designers get eliminated one by one each week after they show their work in front of a judge panel. Heidi Klum is the hostess of the show.

Probably the best fashion show at the moment, it received a great response by the critics so far.

The First 48

Created by: John X. Kim, Laura Fluery, Alexis Robie, Peter Tarshis
Genre: Documentary
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: A&E

The First 48 is a documentary show that started airing exactly a decade ago. The series was created by the team consisted of Peter Tarshis, Alexis Robie, Laura Fluery and John X. Kim.

It’s a very interesting crime series where it follows detectives immediately after a homicide. It’s a very intense and interesting show.

So far there have been 249 episodes and 14 seasons.

Real Housewives of Orange County

Created by: Scott Dunlop
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 41-43 mins
Original Channel: Bravo

Real Housewives of Orange County was created by Scott Dunlop. This reality show has been around since 2006. Thus far there have been 138 episodes and 9 seasons.

It’s a presentation of the lives of the housewives in Southern California, they live in one of the wealthiest planned communities.

The main star of the show is Vicky Gunvalson, it’s something like “Keeping Up With the Kardashians”.

An Idiot Abroad

Created by:
Genre: Travel Documentary
Running Time: 60 mins
Original Channel: Sky1

An Idiot Abroad is directed by Richard Yee, Jamie Jay Johnson, Krishnendu Majumdar, Luke Campbell and Benjamin Green. There are 19 episodes and 3 seasons of this entertaining reality show.

Karl Pilkington has lived an easy and shy life, he has not traveled a lot so his friends Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant decide to sent him abroad to many countries to experience different cultures.

One of the executive producers of the show is the famous creator of “Office”, Ricky Gervais. The show has been on air for 2 years, from 2010 to 2012.

Jon & Kate Plus Eight

Created by: David Imhof, Scott Pearson
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 30-60 mins
Original Channel: Discovery Health, TLC

Jon & Kate Plus Eight was created by David Imhof and Scott Pearson. The show has the Gosselin family as their cast. It started airing in 2007 and so far there have been 152 episodes and 7 seasons.

It is a documentary about a big family, the husband, wife and their 8 individualistic kids. From 2007 to 2008 the show was on Discovery Health but since 2008 it started airing on TLC.

The location of the show is in Pennsylvania, US. If you like family documentaries then you might want to consider this one.

Man vs Wild

Created by:
Genre: Adventure, Outdoors
Running Time: 45 mins
Original Channel: Discovery Channel

Man vs Wild is an adventure reality show starring Bear Grylls. It has been on air from 2006 to 2011, in that timeline there have been 7 seasons and 76 episodes.

Bear Grylls explores the Earth for dangerous places and shows us how to survive in them, it’s a great guideline that one day might save your life.

One of the best show on the list, at-least one of my favorite, kudos to Bear Grylls and all his work on this show. Watch it, you will not regret it.

Jersey Shore

Created by: Sally Ann Salsano
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: MTV

Jersey Shore was developed by Sally Ann Salsano. The show has been on air from 2009 to 2012, in this period there have been 71 episodes and 6 seasons.

The lives and hook-ups of 20-something men and women from New Jersey. This one got really popular and really fast, it’s one of the favorite show of Mila Kunis as she revealed in an interview with Craig Ferguson.

An interesting teen series that you might enjoy, give it a try.

Deadliest Catch

Created by: Thom Beers
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 40-45 mins
Original Channel: Discovery Channel

Deadliest Catch was created by Thom Beers, it has been on Discovery Channel since 2005. So far there have been 159 episodes plus 12 specials, 30 after the catch, 17 the bait, 23 on deck and 3 decked.

It is about one of the most deadly proffesions in the world, the adventure of an crab fisherman in Alaska. Another awesome reality that I have enjoyed a lot.

Highly recommended, I hope you will enjoy this one, as far as adventure goes, it doesn’t get any better than this.

The Ousbournes

Created by: Jonathan Taylor
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 24 mins
Original Channel: MTV

The Ousbournes was created by Jonathan Taylor, the show has been on air for three years, from 2002 to 2005. There are 52 episodes and 4 seasons of this reality TV show.

It’s basically a look at the Ousbourne family. Similar to “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and many more series that takes a great look at the everyday chores of the famous people.

If you like the Ousbournes then I am sure you will enjoy this one.

Face Off

Created by:
Genre: Reality
Running Time:
Original Channel: SyFy

Face Off is presented by McKenzie Westmoro, The show has been on air since 2011, so far there have been 70 episodes an 7 seasons.

It explores the special effects and make up artists, there is a judge panel that evaluates their work. Something in the category of fashion, it’s a very good and entertaining show.

It gets more and more popular, give the show a chance.

The Hills

Created by: Adam DiVello
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 25-60 mins
Original Channel: MTV

The Hills has been on MTV for 4 years, in the timeline between 2006 and 2010. 102 episodes and 6 seasons were produced. The show was created by Adam DiVello.

It’s a story about a teen intern in Vogue. The story starts after her graduation from high school. It’s a little different story than what you might have been used to.

Heidi Montag is the main character of this reality TV series.

Intervention

Created by: Sam Mettler
Genre: Documentary
Running Time: 43 mins
Original Channel: A&E, LMN

Intervention was created by Sam Mettler, the series was on air since 2005. Since, there have been 194 episodes and 13 seasons.

The show is about people with all kind of different addictions, its truly an amazing show that can help so many people. If you ever suffered by any kind of addiction or you know someone who has that kind of a problem then you should introduce them with this series.

The reception has been great, you are gonna love this one.

Hell’s Kitchen

Created by: Gordon Ramsey
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: Fox

Hell’s Kitchen was created by the star of the show, Gordon Ramsey. The show wouldn’t be what it is without him. It has 186 episodes and 13 seasons behind it, its been on air since 2005.

Gordon Ramsey is a world renowned chef, he puts young aspiring wannabes in a rigorous training to determine who is the best. His ways of teaching are truly unique, you will love him and don’t worry, with time you’ll get used to the swearing.

You will enjoy this show ten times more if you like cooking, nevertheless you should watch it just for the main man Gordon Ramsey.

Dancing With the Stars

Created by: Alex Rudzinski
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 40-80 mins
Original Channel: ABC

Dancing With the Stars is directed by Alex Rudzinski, it has been on ABC since 2005, so far it has 333 episodes and 19 seasons behind it.

This US version is based on the British “Strictly Come Dancing” where professional dancers partner up with celebrities and dance their way to the victory.

It received a very good reception, there are many more seasons to come.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Created by:
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: E!

Keeping Up with the Kardashians started airing in 2007, thus far there has been 126 episodes and 9 seasons. The show has Kris, Bruce, Kendall and Kylie Jenner alongside Kourtney, Kim, Chloe, and Rob Kardashian starring.

A peek inside the lives of the Jenner-Kardashian family. It is one of the most popular and recognizable TV series at the moment

The show became very fast the most watched series on E!.

Dirty Jobs

Created by:
Genre: Reality
Running Time: 40-44 mins
Original Channel: Discovery Channel

Dirty Jobs started airing in 2005, it lasted for seven years. In that timeline there have been 169 episodes and 8 seasons of this reality TV show.

Mike Rowe takes upon himself to do all the dirty jobs out there, it is kind of a disgusting show but with a lot of humor, I am certain you will enjoy this one.

On November 21, Rowe announced that the show is canceled by Discovery Channel, make sure you watch the show.

Paranormal Witness

Created by: Joel Beckerman, Ty Unwin
Genre: Paranormal, Horror, Mystery
Running Time: 45 mins
Original Channel: SyFy

Paranormal Witness was created by both Joel Beckerman and Ty Unwin. The show has 38 episodes and 3 seasons behind it. It started airing 3 years ago.

It brings stories of people who experienced something that is hard to explain, its a great mystery show and one of my favorite as a fan of the genre.

You will love the show especially if you like paranormal and mystery series.

Judge Judy

Created by: Randy Douthit
Genre: Court Show
Running Time: 22 mins
Original Channel: Syndication

Judge Judy was created by Randy Douthit, there have been 18 seasons and over 14.000 episodes. It started airing in 1996. The main star of the show is Judge Judy Scheindlin.

It is about a former New York Judge who tackles real small cases. What a great and entertaining show this is, considering it has over 14.000 episodes behind it, you must think its a good show and you’ll be right.

If you like court cases then this is your new favorite show.

Cops

Created by: John Langley, Malcolm Barbour
Genre: Documentary
Running Time: 22 mins
Original Channel: Fox, Spike

Cops was created by John Langley and Malcolm Barbour, so far there have been 928 episodes and 27 seasons. It started airing in 1989 and until 2013 it has been on Fox, since last year it started airing on Spike.

This show is about real life police situations all around the US. Probably the best police TV show.

The last on the list and a true classic, you will love the show.