List of reality television programs

List of reality television series, by general type, listed with the date of their premiere. A few details are added for some shows that don't have their own article. See reality television for further descriptions.

Contents 1 Documentary style 1.1 Historical re-creation 1.2 Science 1.3 Dating 1.4 Law Enforcement/Military 1.5 Makeover 1.6 Lifestyle change 1.7 Fantasies fulfilled 1.8 Docusoaps starring celebrities 2 Hidden camera 3 Reality game shows/Reality "Playoffs" 3.1 Talent Searches 4 Spoofs 5 Parodies 6 See also

Documentary style

In this genre, camera crews follow the daily interactions of people in ordinary places, such as airports or restaurants, or follow people in a specific profession.

• Up series (began with Seven Up! in 1964) (UK)
• An American Family (1973)
• The Family (1974) (UK)
• The Real World (1992)
• Sylvania Waters (1992) (Australia)
• The Living Soap (1993) (UK)
• Road Rules (1994)
• Airport (1996) (UK; BBC)
• Airline (UK; ITV's imitation of Airport)
• Airline (US; 2003 on A&E Network)
• Lagos Airport (UK; Channel 4)
• Bug Juice (1998)
• True Life (1998)
• Gachinko! (ガチンコ!) (1999) (Japan)
• The Band-Josie 7 (2000) (Australia)
• U8TV: The Lofters (2001) (Canada; Life Network)
• Making the Band (2001)
• Project Greenlight (2001)
• Scariest Places On Earth (2001)
• Making the Band 2 (2002)
• The Salon (2002)
• Sorority Life (2002)
• American Chopper (2003)
• Fraternity Life (2003)
• Jamie's Kitchen (2003)
• The Restaurant (2003)
• Starting Over (2003)
• American Casino (2004)
• American Hot Rod (2004)
• Amish in the City (2004)
• Bands Reunited (2004)
• The Casino (2004)
• College Hill (2004)
• Family Plots (2004) (US; A&E Network)
• Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County (2004)
• Rachael Rocks (2004)
• Dog Whisperer (2004)
• Deadliest Catch (2005)
• Miami Ink (2005)
• Stranded with Cash Peters (2005)
• Who's Your Daddy? (2005)
• 8th & Ocean (2006)
• Bonds on Bonds (2006) (ESPN)
• King of Cars (2006)
• Opening Soon
• The Real Housewives of Orange County (2006)
• The Real Housewives of New Jersey (2009)
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2008)
• Bullrun (2007)
• Deadline (2007)
• Ice Road Truckers (2007)
• Jon & Kate Plus 8 (2007)
• Chef School (2008)
• Ax Men (2008)
• BBQ Pitmasters (2009)
• The Colony (2009) (US; Discovery)
• Jersey Shore (2009)
• Teen Mom (2009)
• American Pickers (2010-present) (North America)
• Freshwater Blue (2010)
• The Generations Project (2010)
• Throttle Junkies TV (2010)
• Half Pint Brawlers (2010)
• Oddities (2010)
• Sister Wives (2010)
• Auction Hunters (2010)(North America)
• Geordie Shore (2010)(UK)
• The Only Way Is Essex (2010) (UK)
• Made In Chelsea (2010)(UK)
• The Real L-Word: Los Angeles (2010)

Historical re-creation

This genre takes modern-day contestants and puts them in the lifestyle of historical people or places.

• The 1900 House (1999) (UK; PBS)
• Pioneer Quest: A Year in the Real West (2000) (Canada)
• The 1940s House (2001) (UK)
• The Edwardian Country House aka Manor House (2002)
• Frontier House (2002) (US; PBS)
• Quest for the Bay (2002) (Canada)
• The Ship (2002) (UK)
• Klondike: The Quest for Gold (2003) (Canada)
• Warrior Challenge (2003) (US)
• Le Moyen 1903 2003 (Switzerland/TSR)
• Colonial House (2004) (US; PBS)
• Infamous (2004, E!)
• Regency House Party (2004) (UK)
• The Colony (2005) (Australia)
• MTV's The 70s House (2005)
• Outback House (2005) (Australia)
• Kid Nation (2007) (US)
• Over The Rainbow (2010)

Science

This genre documents scientific analysis or exploration firsthand.

• The Crocodile Hunter (1997) (The Discovery Channel)
• Mythbusters (2003) (The Discovery Channel)
• Human Wrecking Balls (2008) (G4)
• Doing DaVinci (2009) (The Discovery Channel)

Dating

In this genre, couples or singles are brought together in dating or romantic situations.

• Propose Daisakusen (プロポーズ大作戦) (1973) (Japan)
• Punch de Date (パンチDEデート) (1973) (Japan)
• Love Attack! (ラブアタック!) (1975) (Japan)
• Neruton Benikujiradan (ねるとん紅鯨団) (1987) (Japan)
• Ainori (あいのり) (1999) (Japan)
• Blind Date (US) (1999)
• Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? (2000)
• The 5th Wheel (2001)
• Chains of Love (2001)
• 12 Corazones (2006)
• Dismissed (2001)
• Farmer Wants a Wife (2001) (UK)
• Five Go Dating (2001) (UK)
• Temptation Island (2001)
• Who Wants to Be a Princess (2001)
• The Bachelor (2002)
• Bachelorettes in Alaska (2002)
• ElimiDATE (2002)
• EX-treme Dating (2002)
• Meet My Folks (2002)
• Shipmates (2001)
• Streetmate (UK)
• Would Like To Meet (UK)
• Average Joe (2003)
• The Bachelorette (2003)
• Cupid (2003)
• For Love or Money (2003)
• Joe Millionaire (2003)
• Married by America (2003)
• Mr. Personality (2003)
• Room Raiders (2003)
• Three's a Crowd (game show) (2003) (UK)
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé (2004)
• Boy Meets Boy (2004)
• The Littlest Groom (2004)
• Outback Jack (2004)
• The Player (2004)
• Playing It Straight (US - 2004, UK - 2005)
• Date My Mom (2004)
• Who Wants to Marry My Dad? (2004)
• The Ultimate Love Test (2004) (US)
• Celebrity Love Island (2005) (UK)
• How to Get Lucky (2005) (UK)
• Next (2005)
• Shopping for Love (2005) (Australia)
• Chantelle's Dream Dates (2006) (UK)
• Estoy Por Tí (Spain)
• Flavor of Love (2006)
• I Love New York (2007)
• Parental Control (2006)
• Matched in Manhattan (2006)
• Age of Love (2007)
• "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila" (2007)
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels (2007)
• MTV Splitsvilla (2007) (India)
• Transamerican Love Story (2008)
• When Spicy Meets Sweet (2008)
• Real Chance of Love (2008)
• Momma's Boys (2008)
• For the Love of Ray J (2009)
• More To Love (2009)
• [[ [V] Lovenet]] (2010)
• Seducing Cindy (2010)

Law Enforcement/Military

• COPS (1989)
• Rescue 911 (1989)
• Real Stories of the Highway Patrol (1993)
• To Serve and Protect (1993) (Canada)
• LAPD: Life On The Beat (1995)
• World's Wildest Police Videos (1998)
• Boot Camp (2001)
• American Fighter Pilot (2002)
• Combat Missions (2002)
• Dog The Bounty Hunter (2004)
• Commando VIP (2005)
• Armed and Famous (2007)
• Mission X (Philippines)
• The Academy (2007)
• Jail (2007)
• Inside American Jail (2007)
• DEA (2008)
• Steven Seagal: Lawman (2009)
• Coming Home (Reality Show) (2011)

Makeover

This increasingly popular genre features ordinary people having home or lifestyle makeovers with the assistance of professionals.

• Changing Rooms (1996) (UK) = Trading Spaces (US) (2000)
• Mitre 10 Dream Home (1999) (New Zealand)
• What Not to Wear (2001) (UK)
• What Not to Wear (US)
• Extreme Makeover (2002)
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2003)
• The Block (2002) (Australia)
• Life Laundry (2002) (UK; house clearance)
• Monster Garage (2002) (US)
• MTV's Made (2002)
• Clean House (2003)
• Clean Sweep (2003)
• How Clean Is Your House? (2003) (2004) (UK)
• Knock First (2003)
• Monster House (2003) (US)
• Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2003)
• Restoration (2003) (UK)
• Dr. 90210 (2004) (US)
• Trading Spaces: Home Free (2004)
• The Complex: Malibu (2004) (US)
• Pimp My Ride (2004) (MTV, US)
• The Swan (2004) (US)
• Town Haul (2004) (TLC, US)
• Queer Eye for the Straight Girl (2005) (US)
• A Makeover Story (US)
• Backyard Blitz (Australia)
• Born Diva (Philippines)
• DIY Rescue (Australia)
• The Hothouse (Australia)
• Location Location (Australia)
• Relationship Rehab (?) (Style Network, US)
• Renovation Rescue (Australia)
• Trinny & Susannah Undress (UK)
• Trinny & Susannah Make Over America (US)
• Style By Jury (Canada)
• The Renovators (Australia)

Lifestyle change

Here, ordinary people experience an extraordinary change in their environments or occupations.

• 52 Weeks (2011) (US)
• Girl Friday (1994) (UK)
• Castaway 2000 (2000) (UK)
• Shipwrecked (2000) (UK)
• Faking It (2001) (UK; remade in US in 2003)
• Celebrity Fit Club (2002) (UK)
• Wife Swap (2002) (2003) (UK)
• Holiday Swap (2003) (UK)
• Masters and Servants (2003) (UK)
• The Biggest Loser (2004) (US)
• He's a Lady (2004) (US)
• Holiday Showdown (2004) (UK)
• My Restaurant Rules (2004) (Australia)
• Nanny 911 (2004)
• The Resort (2004) (Australia)
• Supernanny (2004 - UK, 2005 - US)
• Trading Spouses (2004) (US)
• What the Butler Saw (2004) (UK)
• 30 Days (2005)
• Australian Princess (Australia) (2005)
• Brat Camp (2005)
• Extreme Celebrity Detox (2005) (UK)
• FC Zulu (2005-7, Denmark), format FC Nerds also made in Sweden (FCZ), Norway (Tufte IL), Finland (FC Nörtit), Netherlands (Atletico Ananas), Germany (Borussia Banana), Australia (Nerds FC) Belgium and Spain
• Ladette to Lady (2005) (UK)
• The Monastery (2005) (UK)
• The Convent (2006) (UK)
• Shalom in the Home (2005) (US)
• Trust Me - I’m A Holiday Rep (2005) (UK)
• Boys will be Girls (2006) (UK)
• Saved by the Bell (2006) (UK)
• Survival of the Richest (2006)
• The Bad Girls Club (2006)
• Fat March (2007) (US)
• Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School (2007) (US)
• Rock of Love: Charm School (2008) (US)
• Tool Academy (2009) (US)
• Charm School with Ricki Lake (2009) (US)
• The Great Norwegian Adventure (2010-2011) (Norway)
• Intervention (US)
• Hoarders (US)

Fantasies fulfilled

• Aswamedham India,Unbelievable From A Ordinary Man
• Thrill of a Lifetime (1982-88 & 2002)(Canada & USA)
• No Opportunity Wasted (2004)
• Your Reality Checked (2004)
• Let's Get This Party Started (2005) (US)
• Three Wishes (2005) (US)
• Simpleng Hiling (Philippines)
• Willingly Yours (Philippines)

Docusoaps starring celebrities

This genre, launched most successfully by music channel MTV, follows a camera crew into the lives of celebrities.

• This Is Your Life (1952) (US)
• The Anna Nicole Show (2002)
• The Osbournes (2002)
• Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica (2003)
• Rich Girls (2003)
• The Simple Life (2003)
• The Surreal Life (2003)
• 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave (2004)
• The Ashlee Simpson Show (2004)
• Blow Out (2004) (US)
• The Gastineau Girls (2004)
• Growing Up Gotti (2004)
• The Simple Life 2 (2004)
• Britney and Kevin: Chaotic (2005)
• Filthy Rich - Cattle Drive (2005)
• The Girls Next Door (2005)
• Hogan Knows Best (2005)
• I Married a Princess (2005)
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2005)
• Meet the Barkers (2005)
• The Simple Life: Interns (2005)
• Tommy Lee Goes to College (2005)
• Totally Scott-Lee (2005) (UK)
• #1 Single (2006)
• Chantelle: Living the Dream (2006) (UK)
• Girls Aloud: Off The Record (2006) (UK)
• House of Carters (2006)
• The Princes of Malibu (2006)
• Gene Simmons Family Jewels (2006 - present)
• Being Bobby Brown (2005)
• Rob & Big (2006)
• Adventures in Hollyhood - Three Six Mafia (2006)
• The Hills (2006)
• Life Of Ryan (2007)
• Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007)
• Snoop Dogg's Father Hood (2007)
• Run's House
• Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane (2007)
• Flipping Out (2008)
• The City (2008)
• Son of a Gun (2011)

Hidden camera

Perhaps the oldest reality show genre, popular as far back as the early days of television.

• Candid Camera (1948)
• Dokkiri Camera (どっきりカメラ) (1970) (Japan)
• Star Dokkiri Maruhi Hōkoku (スターどっきり（秘）報告) (1976) (Japan)
• TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes (1984)
• Beadle's About (1987) (UK)
• Totally Hidden Video (1991)
• Cheaters (2000)
• Trigger Happy TV (2000) (UK; launched comedian Dom Joly)
• Spy TV (2001)
• Qué Locura (2001)
• The Jamie Kennedy Experiment (2002)
• Oblivious (2002)
• Girls Behaving Badly (2003?)
• Punk'd (2003)
• Scare Tactics (2003)
• Victim (2004) (Philippines)
• Celebrity Stitch Up (2005) (UK)
• Hi-Jinks (2005)
• Fire Me...Please (2005)
• Boiling Points (US) MTV
• Just For Laughs Gags (Canada)
• Help Me (Minta Tolong) (Indonesia)
• Laugh Out Loud (LOL) (Philippines)

Reality game shows/Reality "Playoffs"

This, the biggest and most successful reality genre, features contestants who compete for prizes, while often living together in close quarters. Usually, they feature the eliminations of contestants until a winner is chosen. Sometimes they are considered to be "Reality Playoffs" since their format is similar to that of a playoff in sports.

• Beat the Clock (1950)
• Truth or Consequences (1950)
• Susume! Denpa Shōnen (進め!電波少年) (1992) (Japan)
• How do you like Wednesday? (水曜どうでしょう) (1996) (Japan)
• Expedition Robinson (1997)
• Shiawase Kazoku Keikaku (しあわせ家族計画) (1997) (Japan)
• Susunu! Denpa Shōnen (進ぬ!電波少年) (1998-2002) (Japan)
• Big Brother (1999) (Netherlands)
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (1999) (US)
• The Weakest Link (1999) (US)
• Big Brother (UK) (2000)
• Big Brother (US) (2000)
• Survivor (2000)
• The Mole (2000)
• The Amazing Race (2001)
• Boot Camp (2001)
• Cannonball Run 2001 (2001)
• Fear Factor (2001)
• Lost (2001)
• Murder in Small Town X (2001)
• Pilipinas, Game KNB? (2001) Dubbed as The Best Philippine Gameshow (Philippines)
• Beg, Borrow & Deal (2002-2003)
• Endurance (2002) (US)
• I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (2002- present) (UK)
• I'm a Celebrity... US version (US)
• Model Flat (Fashion TV, 2002)
• Under One Roof (2002)
• Dog Eat Dog (2003)
• Drop the Celebrity (2003) (UK)
• Celebrity Farm (2003)
• The Games (2003) (UK)
• Paradise Hotel (2003)
• Való Világ (2003) (Hungary)
• Back To Reality (2004) (UK)
• Peking Express (2004) (BEL/NED)
• The Benefactor (2004)
• The Code Room (2004)
• The Farm (2004) (UK)
• Forever Eden (2004)
• Gana la Verde (2004) (US; Spanish language)
• I'm Famous and Frightened! (2004) (UK)
• Mad Mad House (2004)
• Quest USA, Da Tiao Zhan (2004) (US)
• Shattered (2004) (UK)
• Beauty and the Geek (2005)
• Actuality TV's Casting Call (2005) (US)
• Infinite Challenge (2005~present) (Korea)
• Vyvolení (2005) (Czech Repubblik, Slovakia)
• Pinoy Big Brother (2005) (Philippines)
• Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands (2006) (UK)
• Deal or No Deal (2006) (US)
• Solitary (2006) (US)
• Treasure Hunters (2006) (US)
• Ultimate Challenge (2006) Pakistan first adventure based reality show
• Unan1mous (2006) (US)
• Pirate Master (2007) (US)
• Total Drama Island (2007) (Canada) (Animated Reality Series)
• Britain's Got Talent (2008) (UK)
• I Love Money (2008)
• Wipeout (2008) (US)
• I Survived a Japanese Game Show (2008) (US)
• 13: Fear Is Real (2009) (US)
• The Great American Road Trip (2009) (US)

Talent Searches

Often similar to the game show genre in that there are eliminations and a final winner, this genre centers on contestants competing a specific skill or talent, rather than in random challenges.

• Original Amateur Hour (1948)
• Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (1948)
• Eurovision Song Contest (1956) (EBU)
• Opportunity Knocks (1956) (UK)
• Star Tanjō! (スター誕生!) (1971) (Japan)
• The Gong Show (1976)
• Owarai Star Tanjō! (お笑いスター誕生!!) (1980) (Japan)
• Star Search (1980s)
• Stars in Their Eyes (1990) (UK)
• Asayan (1995) (Japan)
• Popstars (New Zealand) (1999) (UK version launched bands Hear'Say and Liberty X)
• Search for a Supermodel (Australia) (2000)
• Bands on the Run (2001)
• Pop Idol (2001-2003) (UK)
  • American Idol (2002)
    • American Juniors (2003)
  • Canadian Idol (2002)
  • Australian Idol (2003)
  • Philippine Idol (2006)
  • Pinoy Idol (2008)
• Model Behavior (2001-2002) (UK)
• WWF/WWE Tough Enough (2001)
• WWE Tough Enough 2 (2002)
• WWE Tough Enough 3 (2003)
• Fame Academy (2002)(2003) (UK)
• Popstars: The Rivals (2002) (UK)
• America's Next Top Model (2003-present)
  • Canada's Next Top Model
  • Britain's Next Top Model
  • Australia's Next Top Model
• Be a Grand Prix Driver (2003) (UK)
• Comic Relief does Fame Academy (2003) (2005) (2007)
• Last Comic Standing (2003)
• Nashville Star (2003)
• Performing As... (2003)
• Reborn in the USA (2003) (UK)
• Search For The Star In A Million (2003) (Philippines) ABS-CBN
• Star Académie (2003) (France)
• StarStruck (2003) (Philippines)
• Surf Girls (2003)
• The Apprentice (2004-2007, US, NBC)
• The Assistant (2004)
• Bollywood Star (2004) (UK)
• The Contender (2004)
• Can You Be A Porn Star? (2004)
• Dancing with the Stars (2004) (many countries)
• Dream Job II (2004)
• Dream Job (2004)
• Get Gorgeous (2004) (India)
• Hell's Kitchen (2004 - UK, 2005 - US)
• Kings of Comedy (2004) (UK)
• Little Big Star (2005) (Philippines)
• Next Action Star (2004)
• The Next Great Champ (2004)
• Pinoy Pop Superstar (2004) (Philippines)
• Popstars Live (2004) (Australia)
• Project Runway (2004) (US)
• Wickedly Perfect (2004) (US)
• The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best (2004)
• Star Circle Quest (2004) (Philippines)
• Strictly Come Dancing (2004) (UK)
• Super Singer (2004) (India)
• The X Factor (2004) (UK)
• Britain's Worst Celebrity Driver (2005) (UK)
• Celebrity Wrestling (2005) (UK)
• La Academia (2002) (Mexico)
• Filmstjerne (2005) (Norway)
• Football Icon (2005) (UK)
• Get Gorgeous II (2005) (India)
• Hit Me Baby One More Time (2005) (UK)
• Launchpad (2005) (India)
• The Next Food Network Star (2005)
• Rock Star INXS (2005)
• The Scholar (2005)
• So You Think You Can Dance (2005)
• Strictly Dance Fever (2005) (UK)
• The Ultimate Fighter (2005–present, USA, Spike)
• Afghan Star (TV Series) (2005) (Afghanistan)
• The All Star Talent Show (2006) (UK)
• America's Got Talent (2006)
• American Inventor (2006) (ABC)
• Dancing on Ice (2006) (UK)
• Dirty Dancing (2006)
• Just the Two of Us (2006) (UK)
• Knight School (2006, USA, ESPN)
• The One: Making a Music Star (2006)
• Pinoy Dream Academy (2006) (Philippines)
• Rock Star: Supernova (2006)
• Skating With Celebrities (2006) (US)
• Soapstar Superstar (2006) (UK)
• Top Chef (2006)
• Who Wants to be a Superhero? (2006) (Sci-fi)
• Grease: You're the One that I Want! (2007)
• Megasztár (2004) (2005) (2006) (Hungary)
• Ego Trip's The "White" Rapper Show (2007)
• The Next Iron Chef (2007, US, Food Network)
• Phenomenon (2007, US, NBC)
• Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll (2007, US)
• The Singing Bee (2007)
• The Shot (2007, US)
• America's Most Smartest Model (2007, US)
• America's Best Dance Crew (2008, US)
• Celebrity Bainisteoir (2008–present, Ireland)
• Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme (2008)
• Fáilte Towers (2008, Ireland)
• Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (2008)
• My Kid's a Star (2008)
• I Know My Kid's a Star (2008)
• Scream Queens (2008)
• Redemption Song (2008)
• Super Star K(2009-present) (Korea)
• America Got Talent(2009-present) (North America)
• Master Chef Australia(2009-present) (Australia)
• Just Dance (2010) (India)
• Live to Dance(2011) (North America)
• America's Best Dance Crew (2011) (North America)
• The Glee Project (2011)
• The Voice (2011) (North America)
• The X Factor (2011)(North America)

Spoofs

Reality shows in which one or more participants are tricked into believing they are taking part in a legitimate show when they are actually the victim(s) of a joke. These types of shows are somewhat akin to hidden camera shows.

• The Joe Schmo Show (2003)
• $25 Million Dollar Hoax (2004)
• Faking the Video (2004)
• Joe Schmo 2 (2004)
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss (2004?)
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance (2004?)
• Superstar USA (2004)
• There's Something About Miriam (2004)
• Invasion Iowa (2005)
• Space Cadets (2005) (UK)
• Monster House (2008)) (Australia)

Parodies

While not reality TV in the proper sense, these scripted parody shows reflect the level of pop culture status that reality TV has achieved.

• Victoria Wood As Seen On TV (UK) (1985)
• People Like Us (UK) (Radio 1995, TV 1999)
• The Office (UK) (2001)
• Trailer Park Boys (Canada) (2001)
• Reno 911! (2003)
• Drawn Together (2004)
• The Office (US) (2005)
• The Comeback (TV series) (2005)
• FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman (2006)
• Halfway Home (2007)
• Total Drama Island (2007) (Canada)
• Summer Heights High (2007) (Australia)
• Rock Rivals (2008) (UK)
• Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice (2008) (UK)
• Parks and Recreation (2009)
• Warren the Ape (2010)

See also

• List of television show franchises