Top 10 Craziest Reality TV Show Meltdowns
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Script written by Nick Miller
Top 10 Reality TV Show Meltdowns
We want to change the channel, but we just can’t look away. Welcome to MsMojo, and today, we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 reality TV show meltdowns.
For this list, we’ll be looking at the most outrageous and absurd freak-outs ever captured on reality television.
#10: Teresa Flips a Table
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (2009-)
The lovely ladies of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” aren’t exactly known for their calm demeanors, but this dramatic moment took things to a whole new level. After a nice dinner at an upscale restaurant, an argument breaks out between cast members Danielle and Teresa. Almost out of nowhere, Teresa flips her lid, and a glass-covered table along with it. She has to be dragged away screaming from the encounter, as Danielle is unable to do anything other than stand there stunned by what has just occurred. This one really escalated quickly.
#9: Flo Loses It
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“The Amazing Race” (2001-)
“Amazing Race” season three contestants Zach and Flo had a… complicated relationship. By that, we mean Zach would do something Flo didn’t like, and Flo would yell at him. The very best of their many spats took place in the back of a cab driving through the streets of Vietnam. Flo breaks down in tears of frustration at Zach’s failure to cut in line at customs, causing them to fall behind. Flo berates Zach for his morals, and for some reason she’s the one who starts crying. But hey, whatever weird friendship the pair had worked, because they ended up winning the season!
#8: Snooki Gets Arrested
“Jersey Shore” (2009-12)
The cast of “Jersey Shore” are well-known for their outrageous party antics, but Snooki’s heavy drinking took a darker turn in this season three episode. After a day-long drinking binge and skipping out on work, Snooki was arrested on camera after harassing the police that were escorting her off the beach. It’s a scene that turns quickly from humorous to sad to even sadder. Fellow housemates JWoww and Deena do their best to help Snooki, but they cannot stop her. It’s uncomfortable to watch it all unfold, and we’re admittedly glad Snooki seems to be doing much better these days.
#7: Amy's Baking Company
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“Kitchen Nightmares” (2007-14)
This whole episode is basically one giant meltdown. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is well-known for his... let’s call it “abrasive” personality. When he is sent to help out struggling Arizona restaurant Amy’s Baking Company, run by two “abrasive” personalities in their own right, things get out of hand. Over the course of the episode, Ramsay realizes the full extent of mismanagement and the terrible quality of the food and ingredients, and we get multiple full-on blowouts involving not only Amy, Samy and Gordon Ramsay himself, but employees and even customers.. Eventually, Ramsay decides he can’t help the couple, and leaves the restaurant early for the first time in the series.
#6: "Here's a Reason to Vote Me Out"
Top 10 Craziest Reality Show Freakouts
“Survivor” (2000-)
Say goodbye to any shot you ever had at $1 million, Brandon. “Survivor: Caramoan” brought in 10 new players to play against 10 former players, including “Survivor: South Pacific” alum and loose cannon Brandon Hantz. After a tense confrontation between Hantz and fellow tribe member Phillip, Brandon loses his cool, shouting and dumping the tribe’s entire supply of beans and rice into the sand. Following this crazy turn of events, Brandon’s tribe forfeits the immunity challenge so they can get rid of him. Brandon has another meltdown at tribal council before being unanimously voted out by his tribe.
#5: Vanilla Ice Freaks Out
“The Surreal Life: Fame Games” (2007)
VH1’s “Surreal Life” franchise took former celebrities and, like so many reality shows before and since, put them in a house together. In “Fame Games,” the show took on a game show format, which led to some truly wild reality moments. When Ron Jeremy casts a vote against Vanilla Ice after promising him he wouldn’t, Ice goes on a rampage through the house, destroying a drum set piece-by-piece as an expression of his almost comically over-the-top rage. Rob’s temper tantrum goes on for far too long, and racked up what looks like a few thousand dollars in property damage. Yikes.
#4: Kim Cries
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“Kourtney and Kim Take New York” (2011-12)
In the series finale of short-lived Kardashian spin-off “Kourtney and Kim Take New York,” Kim K has a small breakdown when discussing her relationship troubles with then-husband Kris Humphries. Kim shares her regrets about her fast-tracked marriage and how bad she feels that she jumped into things without fully thinking them through. It’s a somber moment, but one that was undercut by the fact that Kim’s uncomfortable crying face blew up and became a meme after the episode aired. Thankfully, the star has taken the joke in stride, even releasing an emoji bearing the image of her tear-streaked face on her custom emoji app.
#3: Aviva Takes Off Her Leg
“The Real Housewives of New York City” (2008-)
Another “Real Housewives” meltdown; this time starring the girls from New York City. In some very deliberate and impactful line delivery, Aviva Drescher declares that the only thing artificial about her is her leg, before emphatically slamming her prosthetic limb down on the table. Heather, who’s visibly disgusted by the leg, catches Aviva’s eye, who then throws it at her. It’s a moment that Aviva had clearly rehearsed in her mind, but that doesn’t really take away from the impact and shock of it all. The stunned looks on the faces of everyone else in the room says it all - Aviva got the reaction she wanted.
#2: Vienna vs. Jake
“The Bachelorette” (2003-)
“Bachelor” winner Vienna Girardi and season 14 Bachelor Jake Pavelka at first seemed like a match made in reality TV heaven. Unfortunately, when the then-recently-split couple decided to do a joint interview on the following season of “The Bachelorette,” it became painfully clear just how wrong they really were for each other. In the uncomfortable exchange, we witness Jake’s blatant and flippant cruelty towards Vienna. She soon walks away from the interview, but it’s evident from just those few moments that the relationship was never going to work out, and served as a reminder that the way someone acts on television is likely not how they act behind closed doors.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions
Joan & Melissa Rivers Go Off
“The Celebrity Apprentice” (2008-17)
Amber Gets Attacked
“Bad Girls Club” (2006-)
Eric & Camila’s Fight
“The Challenge” (1998-)
#1: "Be Quiet, Tiffany"
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“America’s Next Top Model” (2003-)
The clip that launched a thousand memes. This classic “America’s Next Top Model” rant courtesy of model and host Tyra Banks quickly went viral, becoming an internet sensation that still pops up to this day. After being part of a dual-elimination that saw her sent home, contestant Tiffany Richardson cracks a joke and laughs instead of crying. Tyra sees this, and is not happy, calling her out for her actions and attitude throughout her time on the series. Tyra berates Tiffany, maybe just a little too harshly. But she wasn’t wrong. We were all rooting for you, Tiffany!
