10 Most Controversial Reality Show Episodes Ever
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VOICE OVER: Patrick Mealey
WRITTEN BY: Katie Kottemann
These episodes brought new levels of controversy to reality TV. For this list, we'll be looking at episodes that made our jaws drop and some that were canceled or banned for being too problematic. Our countdown includes “Family Flavors” from “Flavor of Love” (2006-08), the “Pilot” of “Who's Your Daddy?” (2005), “Precious Moments Pageant” from “Toddlers & Tiaras” (2009-16), and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Controversial Reality Show Episodes Ever. For this list, we’ll be looking at episodes that made our jaws drop and some that were canceled or banned for being too problematic. What reality TV show episode scandalized you? Let us know in the comments.
Ever watched a show so bad it only lasted for one episode? That’s what happened to “The Will,” a reality show so unpopular it aired its first and only episode on January 8, 2005. The series involved a millionaire benefactor testing his friends and family to see who deserved to inherit his Kansas ranch. As you can imagine, the morbid premise didn’t sit well with audiences, and not many tuned in. The show got the ax from network TV, though its remaining episodes did air elsewhere. Talk about dead in the water.
MTV’s long-running reality series about the lives of young parents has never been short on drama. But one of the most sensational and heartbreaking episodes occurred back in Season Two. Teen mother Amber and her on-again-off-again fiance Gary fought often on the show, but none of those arguments quite compared to this one. In the episode, Amber strikes and chokes Gary, kicking him as he tries to leave. And she does all of this in front of their daughter, Leah. Hundreds of complaints flooded in once the episode aired, and Amber was arrested and charged with domestic violence. This episode serves as a reminder that what happens on a reality show can have consequences in the real world.
A “The Bachelor''-style reality show where Flava Flav is the prize? Sign us up! At least, that’s what 20 eligible flavorettes said when they appeared on the first season of VH1’s “Flavor of Love.” But when you put 20 amorous women in a mansion and make them compete for Flav’s affection, it causes a lot of dramatic moments. None was more dramatic—and pretty gross—as the fight between two of Flav’s top three ladies: New York and Pumkin. You might even call it the “loogie heard ‘round the world.” It was such a controversial moment that it completely overshadowed season one winner, Hoopz, and elevated New York, a.k.a. Tiffany Pollard, to the levels of reality show superstardom.
“The Real Housewives” franchise has produced some incredibly meme-able moments. And with endless cities and spinoffs, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. But with great success comes controversy. And nothing proved that more than the Season Six reunion special when castmates Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore hurled insults at each other. This culminated in Porsha slapping Kenya, then grabbing her hair and dragging her across the floor. Ouch! The result? Porsha was kicked off the reunion and later charged with assault. Just goes to show that these aren’t your mama’s housewives!
What happened on the Season Four premiere of “Bachelor in Paradise?” Whatever went down, it was controversial enough to halt production. In the first episode, we see cast members Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson enjoying each other’s company around the villa. Later, it’s revealed that filming was suspended due to an allegation of sexual misconduct. After an investigation, the show and its cast were cleared of any wrongdoing, but Corinne and DeMario didn’t return. The incident left everyone wondering what really happened. But we may never know the full story.
Sometimes, you can’t pick just one. Instead, every episode of this extreme makeover show makes the cut for most controversial. The premise? Plastic surgery, makeup, and hairstyling can turn even the ugliest duckling into a beautiful swan. This didn’t sit well with critics. Some called it hurtful, repellent, and sadistic. A former contestant even discussed lingering physical and mental health issues resulting from her transformation. While the makeovers did make the contestants more conventionally attractive, they didn’t stop “The Swan” from being considered one of the worst reality TV shows ever made.
Even the racy title of this show should’ve been a clue that it wouldn’t resonate with audiences. Who doesn’t love a competition where an adopted woman searches for her biological father in a lineup of older male contestants? Judging by the fact that “Who’s Your Daddy?” was canceled after one episode, the answer is: most people. The show received criticism from adoption rights groups. And critics considered it a new low for reality TV, which was really saying something in 2005. The contestant in the one aired episode was able to identify and reunite with her father, which may be the only bright spot in this otherwise contemptible premise.
If you were a fan of this Joe Rogan-led reality competition show, you’ve probably watched competitors eat some pretty disgusting things. But nothing compares to what the contestants in this Season Seven episode had to endure. After a game of horseshoes, players were given large glasses of liquid to drink. Unfortunately, that liquid was donkey urine and semen. Hee haw, indeed. Just a few days before the episode was set to air, the network pulled it. Maybe they realized that viewers don’t want to be sick to their stomachs while enjoying an evening of television.
Abby Lee Miller is well-known for putting her dancers through the wringer to get results. She spends most episodes yelling and freaking out, either at the kids or their parents. But viewers and critics were the ones up in arms when Abby choreographed a risque number where her young dancers would appear to be nude. Called a “fan dance,” the routine is popular with burlesque dancers and showgirls. The dance was obviously too mature, which led to this episode being renamed and pulled from DVDs and reruns. We wonder what Abby had to say about that!
You know it’s a controversial moment when it outranks a 2-year-old dressed as Madonna and the first appearance of Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson. This unforgettable dance routine clocks in at less than one minute of screen time. But the controversy surrounding it seems never-ending. Three-year-old Paisley sports a skin-tight dress with cut-outs and thigh-high boots, resembling an outfit Julia Roberts wore in “Pretty Woman.” It makes sense for a pageant girl to emulate a movie star, right? However, Roberts plays a sex worker in the film. Even the other pageant moms thought this one went too far. Really, who thought this was a good idea?
#10: “Pilot”
“The Will” (2005)Ever watched a show so bad it only lasted for one episode? That’s what happened to “The Will,” a reality show so unpopular it aired its first and only episode on January 8, 2005. The series involved a millionaire benefactor testing his friends and family to see who deserved to inherit his Kansas ranch. As you can imagine, the morbid premise didn’t sit well with audiences, and not many tuned in. The show got the ax from network TV, though its remaining episodes did air elsewhere. Talk about dead in the water.
#9: “Lashing Out”
“Teen Mom” (2009-21)MTV’s long-running reality series about the lives of young parents has never been short on drama. But one of the most sensational and heartbreaking episodes occurred back in Season Two. Teen mother Amber and her on-again-off-again fiance Gary fought often on the show, but none of those arguments quite compared to this one. In the episode, Amber strikes and chokes Gary, kicking him as he tries to leave. And she does all of this in front of their daughter, Leah. Hundreds of complaints flooded in once the episode aired, and Amber was arrested and charged with domestic violence. This episode serves as a reminder that what happens on a reality show can have consequences in the real world.
#8: “Family Flavors”
“Flavor of Love” (2006-08)A “The Bachelor''-style reality show where Flava Flav is the prize? Sign us up! At least, that’s what 20 eligible flavorettes said when they appeared on the first season of VH1’s “Flavor of Love.” But when you put 20 amorous women in a mansion and make them compete for Flav’s affection, it causes a lot of dramatic moments. None was more dramatic—and pretty gross—as the fight between two of Flav’s top three ladies: New York and Pumkin. You might even call it the “loogie heard ‘round the world.” It was such a controversial moment that it completely overshadowed season one winner, Hoopz, and elevated New York, a.k.a. Tiffany Pollard, to the levels of reality show superstardom.
#7: “Reunion Part 1”
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (2008-)“The Real Housewives” franchise has produced some incredibly meme-able moments. And with endless cities and spinoffs, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. But with great success comes controversy. And nothing proved that more than the Season Six reunion special when castmates Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore hurled insults at each other. This culminated in Porsha slapping Kenya, then grabbing her hair and dragging her across the floor. Ouch! The result? Porsha was kicked off the reunion and later charged with assault. Just goes to show that these aren’t your mama’s housewives!
#6: “Week 1: Season Premiere”
“Bachelor in Paradise” (2014-)What happened on the Season Four premiere of “Bachelor in Paradise?” Whatever went down, it was controversial enough to halt production. In the first episode, we see cast members Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson enjoying each other’s company around the villa. Later, it’s revealed that filming was suspended due to an allegation of sexual misconduct. After an investigation, the show and its cast were cleared of any wrongdoing, but Corinne and DeMario didn’t return. The incident left everyone wondering what really happened. But we may never know the full story.
#5: Every Episode
“The Swan” (2004)Sometimes, you can’t pick just one. Instead, every episode of this extreme makeover show makes the cut for most controversial. The premise? Plastic surgery, makeup, and hairstyling can turn even the ugliest duckling into a beautiful swan. This didn’t sit well with critics. Some called it hurtful, repellent, and sadistic. A former contestant even discussed lingering physical and mental health issues resulting from her transformation. While the makeovers did make the contestants more conventionally attractive, they didn’t stop “The Swan” from being considered one of the worst reality TV shows ever made.
#4: “Pilot”
“Who’s Your Daddy?” (2005)Even the racy title of this show should’ve been a clue that it wouldn’t resonate with audiences. Who doesn’t love a competition where an adopted woman searches for her biological father in a lineup of older male contestants? Judging by the fact that “Who’s Your Daddy?” was canceled after one episode, the answer is: most people. The show received criticism from adoption rights groups. And critics considered it a new low for reality TV, which was really saying something in 2005. The contestant in the one aired episode was able to identify and reunite with her father, which may be the only bright spot in this otherwise contemptible premise.
#3: “Hee Haw! Hee Haw!”
“Fear Factor” (2001-06;, 2011-12; 2017-18)If you were a fan of this Joe Rogan-led reality competition show, you’ve probably watched competitors eat some pretty disgusting things. But nothing compares to what the contestants in this Season Seven episode had to endure. After a game of horseshoes, players were given large glasses of liquid to drink. Unfortunately, that liquid was donkey urine and semen. Hee haw, indeed. Just a few days before the episode was set to air, the network pulled it. Maybe they realized that viewers don’t want to be sick to their stomachs while enjoying an evening of television.
#2: “Topless Showgirls” / “Costume Drama”
“Dance Moms” (2011-19)Abby Lee Miller is well-known for putting her dancers through the wringer to get results. She spends most episodes yelling and freaking out, either at the kids or their parents. But viewers and critics were the ones up in arms when Abby choreographed a risque number where her young dancers would appear to be nude. Called a “fan dance,” the routine is popular with burlesque dancers and showgirls. The dance was obviously too mature, which led to this episode being renamed and pulled from DVDs and reruns. We wonder what Abby had to say about that!
#1: “Precious Moments Pageant”
“Toddlers & Tiaras” (2009-16)You know it’s a controversial moment when it outranks a 2-year-old dressed as Madonna and the first appearance of Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson. This unforgettable dance routine clocks in at less than one minute of screen time. But the controversy surrounding it seems never-ending. Three-year-old Paisley sports a skin-tight dress with cut-outs and thigh-high boots, resembling an outfit Julia Roberts wore in “Pretty Woman.” It makes sense for a pageant girl to emulate a movie star, right? However, Roberts plays a sex worker in the film. Even the other pageant moms thought this one went too far. Really, who thought this was a good idea?
