This week, I’ve been logging insane hours of screen time looking for the right kind of mind-numbing distraction from the outside world. What I’ve found in the last few days is that in the current age of excessive streaming services, it is easier than ever before for someone to become a reality star—which makes great TV! If you’re looking to find a new obsession and get way too invested in a new show, this list is for you.
Relationship Competition Shows
Love is Blind (Netflix)
The seventh season of Netflix’s popular reality dating show is here, and it is as amazing as ever! If you’re unfamiliar with Love is Blind, the premise is that the participants are participating in an “experiment” to prove if love really is blind. They have ten days in the “pods” to get to know participants of the opposite gender without ever seeing their faces. If they form a connection with someone in the pods, they can then take their relationship to the next level by becoming engaged to be married before meeting each other face-to-face and testing their relationship in the real world. Of course, this is a recipe for disaster and creates many viral moments that make for a great watch (sorry Megan Fox). If you’re a fan of trashy romance reality TV, this new season of Love is Blind is for you.
The Golden Bachelorette (Hulu)
A spin-off of the popular Bachelor and Bachelorette franchises, the first-ever Golden Bachelorette is Joan Vassos. In the show, the men compete to win Joan’s affection and remain safe from elimination. Compared to its younger counterparts, the Golden Bachelorette is a wholesome second chance at love that, while it has its moments of drama, is a really fun watch. The final episode of this season is set to be released on November 13th, so now is the perfect time to catch up on all the episodes you may have missed!
Love Island USA (Netflix) or UK (Hulu)
The Love Island franchise is a pervasive cultural phenomenon that grows in popularity every year. Both the UK and USA versions got new seasons this summer, which were massively popular on TikTok and took over my feed for weeks. From Rob hiding in the pool to all the tears throughout the show, this dating competition has lots of swimsuits and lots of drama. If you’re missing the summer sun and want to stress out about someone else’s love life for a change, either Love Island show is a great choice for viewing!
“Traditional” Reality TV
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu)
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is a pretty apt name for the more “traditional” and “unscripted” reality show that follows Mormon “MomTok” influencers. It has everything that reality TV fans crave: drama, mundanities, and shallow conversations. The Mormon Wives on the show are, of course, Mormon, and the conflicts surrounding the women often deal with their morality and interactions with their faith, which adds a unique layer to the drama. In the end, the members of “MomTok” are just like everyone else…maybe just a little worse. If you missed the first season, I recommend going back for a watch before season two is released this spring!Â
The Kardashians (Hulu) or Keeping Up With the Kardashians (Peacock)
The Kardashians is a reality staple that has run for decades. When you think about reality TV scream-fighting and first-world problems, this show comes to mind. The most recent season aired from May to July of this year, but there is plenty of material to go back to watch—whether it be from their more recent Hulu contract or their original show run. With more than 300 hour-long episodes to choose from, the Kardashian cinematic universe can provide hours and hours of fun and reality TV entertainment.
Wholesome Competition Shows
The Great British Bake-Off (Netflix)
If you crave more wholesome reality competition shows, look no further than the classic Bake-Off. In the show, home bakers compete in a series of weekly tests and trials to determine which of them is the best home baker. With Prue and Paul judging, the show is quintessentially British in a way that easily captures the American viewer. The newest season is currently being released weekly, or, if you would prefer to binge-watch, plenty of older seasons are available! Bake-Off is a personal favorite for cuddling up in bed with a cup of tea or a sweet treat.Â
Dancing With the Stars (Hulu)
If you haven’t been watching this current season of Dancing With the Stars, what are you doing? Content about the show has invaded my For You Page so thoroughly that, even without watching every episode, I have a solid understanding of what’s happened on the show in the last few weeks. Watching celebrities learn how to foxtrot is wildly entertaining, and the long run time of the show is a testament to that fact. DWTS doesn’t necessarily fit into the category of “anyone can become a reality star,” but it is nonetheless an entertaining weekly watch!
I hope that this list can help you find your next watch. Happy viewing!