Shows to watch if you love reality TV (and where to stream them!)

If you are like me, in order to view reality TV, it has to be something very interesting, music-related, or overly dramatic. Reality TV has dramatically changed since its inception, and many people would just rather do without. But if you are a real reality TV junkie, we have a great list of shows that you will really enjoy and where you can stream them in this handy list.

The Real World

The Real World is MTV's longest-running series and was a pioneer in the world of reality TV. Based on the 1973 TBS documentary An American Family, The Real World: New York premiered in 1992 and featured "the true story of seven strangers, picked to live in a loft and have their lives taped, to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real.” And it was precisely that. The debut season of the series, and possibly the only season, featured real people living their lives on camera. They tackled complex issues such as racism, privilege, sexuality, and many more as viewers watched the housemates go through a myriad of emotions, challenges, and everything life throws at them. The series consists of 33 seasons that aired on MTV until 2017, with the final season, The Real World: Atlanta, airing on Facebook Watch.

Stream The Real World on Paramount+ (22 seasons).

The Great British Baking Show

There are many baking shows to choose from, but The Great British Baking Show is the top tier. This series, known as The Great British Bake Off outside the US and Canada, is a fantastic series that features amateur bakers competing for the top prize. This series features a panel of judges who critique the results of baking challenges given to the contestants. Each challenge concludes with one baker being eliminated until only three remain to compete in the final event. While this doesn't sound much different than other baking shows, The Great British Baking Show is set apart with its blend of chemistry among the judges, comedy, and a lot of fun. The series consists of 14 seasons, with season 15 releasing in September 2024.

Stream The Great British Baking Show on Netflix (10 seasons).

Survivor

The American version of Survivor premiered on CBS in 2000 and is hosted by Jeff Probst. With 46 seasons under its belt, this reality competition series is wildly popular. The idea for the American series, created by Mark Burnett, was inspired by Expedition Robinson (1997), developed by Charlie Parsons that aired on Swedish TV. Survivor places a group of people in an isolated location, tasked with eking out their survival. They must provide shelter, nourishment, fire, and more while performing challenges that test their physical and mental faculties as they compete with the other contestants to avoid elimination. Over time, the group is whittled down to two or three remaining contestants, which is accomplished by being voted out by their rivals. The ousted contestants then vote on the final contestants to decide who becomes the Sole Survivor and recipient of the $1 million dollar prize.

Stream Survivor on Hulu (12 seasons).

90 Day Fiancé

The tenth season of 90 Day Fiancé premiered in 2023, and of the 54 couples created, over half are still together. The premise of the TLC series is to showcase couples who have applied for a K-1 Visa designed to allow foreign fiancés of US Citizens to enter the US as long as the marriage occurs within 90 days. The 90-day period allows the couple to plan their wedding ceremony, in which they both sign documents stating their intent to marry. The foreign fiancé must leave the country if the marriage doesn't occur. Viewers follow the couples during their process, which often hits roadblocks due to language barriers, culture shock, and friends and family who are skeptical about the relationship. 90 Day Fiancé has inspired 20 spinoffs, each more successful than its predecessor.

Stream 90 Day Fiancé on Max (10 seasons).

America's Got Talent

America's Got Talent is part of Simon Cowell's Got Talent franchise that is most recently hosted by actor Terry Crews. While some performing series focus centrally on music, this series showcases a wide variety of talents from dancing, singing, magic, stunts, comedy, a combination of these and more. Contestants first audition for the panel of judges vying for a spot on the live episode for the season. All who make it to the live episode are then judged by the panel and the public, with the winners advancing to the live final. The overall winner receives a healthy cash prize, paid out over time, and since season 3, the opportunity to perform on the Las Vegas Strip. America's Got Talent premiered season 19 in 2024 and has spawned four spinoffs.

Stream America's Got Talent on Max (10 seasons).