Top 10 Worst Reality Show Spinoffs
#10: “Khloé and Lamar” (2011-12)
Riding the wave of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” success, an influx of reality content based around the famous family arrived in the 2010s. Just when fans thought they had hit their threshold, “Khloé and Lamar” premiered. Following the marriage of the third Kardashian sister and her NBA husband, the series didn’t quite reach the same hype, or heights, as “KUWTK”. It wasn’t long before red flags began to appear, signaling some serious dark trouble for the ill fated union. Perhaps all the foreshadowing proved too much for audiences, as the show soon ended along with Khloé and Lamar’s marriage.
#9: “My Fair Brady” (2005-08)
Top 10 Dumbest Reality TV Show Ideas
Spun off of VH1’s hit “The Surreal Life”, this spinoff chronicled the relationship between one of television’s most unexpected coupling: Adrianne Curry and Christopher Knight. The “America's Next Top Model'' winner and former “The Brady Bunch '' child star decided to showcase their romance for the world to see. With a hokey theme song paired with obviously staged scenarios, the cringey series was painful to watch the majority of the time. And, much like Curry and Knight’s marriage, the show failed to have any staying power, ending after only a few seasons.
#8: “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (2012-17)
Top 20 Reality Show Controversies & Scandals
Often regarded as one TLC’s most controversial series, “Toddlers & Tiaras” produced some of the most uncomfortable moments in reality TV history. When one of the series’ pageant contestants, Alana Thompson - aka Honey Boo Boo, got a series of her own, the cringe meter reached an all time high. Following Thompson and her family, the show was packed with plenty of gross out moments, including lots of gas and spit. Due to network editing and exploitation, the Thompsons ultimately fell victim to the trappings of reality TV. Not even Mama June could stop this family from imploding.
#7: “Paris Hilton’s British Best Friend” (2009)
Top 10 Cringiest Emily in Paris Moments
Following “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF”, producers decided to go international by taking the concept across the pond for a UK makeover. In the show, 12 Brits were pitted against one another in order to win the platonic affection of the hotel heiress. Competing in a series of challenges, the participants were whittled down until one BFF remained. The same concept was utilized again for a Dubai based version of the series. But, no matter where the show travelled, it lacked one thing: authenticity. It took a lot for audiences to believe that any of the contestants would actually become friends with the wealthy socialite. Not surprisingly, viewers said “ta ta” to Paris’ latest reality TV quest.
#6: “Rob & Chyna”
Top 10 Worst Reality TV Shows
When Robert Kardashian got together with his sister’s former friend, model Blac Chyna, pop culture devotees had a field day. Seizing an opportunity to capitalize on the frenzy, Rob and Chyna agreed to their very own show. The series documented their romance and surprise pregnancy. Unfortunately, it also proved that sometimes a peek behind the curtain isn’t as interesting as it seems. The series failed to live up to the expectations of Kardashian stans and lasted only one season. Although they are no longer together, the pair remain staples on the reality series circuit.
#5: “Kate Plus Date” (2019)
Top 10 Times Kate McKinnon Broke the SNL Cast
Quite possibly the most famous mom in reality TV history, Kate Gosselin took the next step in her television career in 2019. With her 8 kids nearly grown, Gosselin sought to keep the “Plus 8” franchise going. Documenting her journey into the wild world of dating, “Kate Plus Date'' saw the high strung former nurse turned reality star go on a series of outings in an effort to find “Mr. Right.” Unfortunately for Kate, this spinoff was no match made in heaven - professionally or personally.
#4: “The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart” (2020)
Top 20 Craziest Reality TV Show Meltdowns
What do you get when you cross “The Bachelor” with “American Idol”? Well, you get “Listen to Your Heart.” The show paired up singing singletons with the hopes of making beautiful music together. One would think that mashing up two styles of successful reality genres would make for an instant hit. Not so much! What resulted was a messy, cringey and unfavourable attempt to expand “Bachelor Nation”. After only one season, the lights dimmed on this dating competition for good, and contestants were left singing nothing but the blues.
#3: “The Show with Vinny” (2013)
Top 10 Times Contestants Clapped Back at Reality Show Hosts
Fresh from Staten Island, MTV star, Vinny Guadagnino, took a break from his “Jersey Shore” chums to host a show of his own. The 2013 series welcomed celebrity guests like Lil Wayne and Kesha into his home. Featuring appearances from his mother Paula and Uncle Nino, the half reality show / half talkshow suffered from a major identity crisis. A victim of having “too many cooks in the kitchen”, the show lacked the personal and intimate nature of the talk show format. 12 episodes after it’s premiere, “The Show” said “arrivederci”, leaving Vinny to return to his “Shore” roots.
#2: “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” (2005)
Top 10 Craziest Reality Show Freakouts
After “The Apprentice '' proved to be a ratings hit, a spin off followed with Martha Stewart at the helm. Competing for a top job with the lifestyle millionaire, contestants worked through challenge after challenge in an attempt to survive elimination. Shifting focus from business to more creative assignments, the job seekers had the difficult task of attempting to impress the stoic Stewart. While it did feature a pre “Real Housewives of New York” Bethenny Frankle, the show did not draw the same kind of attention as its predecessor. In the end, NBC unsurprisingly said “You’re Fired” to this spinoff and shifted its focus back to the original series. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Audrina” (2011) “The Hills” Alum, Audrina Patridge, Get Her Own Show (“Patridge” is not a typo!) “Dash Dolls” (2015) “KUWTK” Spinoff Following The Lives of The Dash Store Employees “Little Miss Atlanta” (2016) Spinoff of “Toddlers & Tiaras” That’s Based In Atlanta “Megan Wants a Millionaire” (2009) Spinoff of “Rock Of Love” Where Former Contestant Megan Seeks Love & Money
#1: “The Real Housewives of D.C.” (2010)
Top 20 Craziest Reality Show Fights
“The Real Housewives” franchise is the bread and butter of the Bravo universe. Premiering in 2006 with “Orange County”, the brand quickly expanded across America and naturally found its way to Washington, D.C. As the political epicenter of the country, there was plenty of drama to be had. Unfortunately, it backfired. Cast member Michaele Schon and her husband Tareq Salahi came under fire after they attended a state dinner at the White House with former POTUS Barack Obama. It appeared that they breached security. Producer Andy Cohen cited the controversy as the reason for the show’s cancellation. But, to be honest, the series just never lived up to the quality of its predecessors.
