Top 10 Worst Reality TV Shows
#10: “Are You Hot?: The Search for America’s Sexiest People” (2003)
Top 10 Worst Reality Shows Of The Century (So Far)
Judging people based on their appearances has always been a standard of reality TV. It’s the basis of several dating games, including “Next” -- an MTV show where you could instantly chop people if you thought they were ugly. However, one ABC production took that concept over the edge. In “Are You Hot?,” contestants would strut their stuff on stage in bathing suits, and then let a panel of judges point out every so-called “flaw.” Hyperfocusing on tiny imperfections only added to the already toxic beauty standard of the early 2000s, and only served to upset. The use of tools like laser pointers only made the experience more degrading. We can’t help but wonder if TV fame is really worth subjecting yourself to this.
#9: “Dating Naked” (2014-16)
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We understand wanting to be real, but this is going way too far. VH1 created a dating show with a brand new twist – everyone would meet each other entirely in the nude. While everything is censored, just knowing that they’re making small talk while completely naked is enough to put a damper on everything. While it was an entirely new take on the dating show genre, it can also be argued that they went overboard for the sake of novelty. The concept also came across as exploitative, due to the inherently uncomfortable nature of it and the capitalization of their discomfort. Even when the contenders were dressed, viewers couldn’t get past the awkwardness – which eventually led to it ending.
#8: “The Moment of Truth” (2008)
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It’s said that honesty is one of the most important qualities– but this is proof that the truth can hurt. On “The Moment of Truth,” players would answer a series of increasingly invasive questions, with the hopes of receiving a cash prize. They hooked everyone up to lie detectors– which have been proven to be beatable, and aren’t admissible in several countries. Beyond the logistic errors, it was also morally dubious. The format was designed to be humiliating to not only the contestants, but their loved ones as well. People were willing to go to extreme lengths – even ruining their marriages – to win. With all the drama in the first season alone, it’s no wonder that it didn’t get picked up for another.
#7: “Kid Nation” (2007)
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For this show, “Lord of the Flies” was treated like an instruction manual. On “Kid Nation,” children ruled – with disastrous consequences. Kids were left to essentially fend for themselves in a private town. While there were adults off-camera running things on set, for the most part, they were left to their own devices. From cooking to cleaning, everyone had their own responsibilities. They were thrust into situations even some adults would need help navigating, such as water pipes freezing and holding elections. The latter only served to divide them even further. While the intent was to show how hard it is to build a society from the ground up, all they ended up succeeding in was mildly emotionally scarring a group of children.
#6: “The Pickup Artist” (2007-08)
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When it comes to capitalizing off of insecurities, VH1 is an equal-opportunity offender. The premise was simple – men would learn how to talk to women, all while taking advice from a host named “Mystery.” They were all given tips on how to attract women and were put in situations where they would try to pick up random partners. They were also labeled with a “flaw,” such as having a slightly high-pitched voice. It was later revealed that many of the participants were just actors, and never needed the help. While reality TV being less than real isn’t new, it still felt deceptive due to the advice being passed off as legitimate. Needless to say, it promoted toxic behavior that has unfortunately bled into the mainstream.
#5: “Black. White.” (2006)
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Healing race relations has been an issue in America for decades. Who better to lead the charge than TV producers and Ice Cube? The result was an extremely problematic race-bending series, where two families wore makeup to portray another ethnicity. Once the swapping was done, they were sent out in public to experience what living life as another race was like. It was an over-simplified concept, as simply dressing up isn’t enough to fully understand someone’s lived experience. This was evident by one of the white participants using the opportunity to say slurs. Besides the obvious issues in the makeup department, the show itself depended on the furthering of racial stereotypes – which was the exact opposite of their original goal.
#4: “Boy Meets Boy” (2003)
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The most disappointing reality shows are the ones with wasted potential. The first all-male dating game was formatted like “The Bachelor,” where one man would have the opportunity to meet several potential mates and choose a partner from there. However, partway through the season, there was a sudden twist. It was revealed that some of the men were actually straight– and were competing for money too. This came as a shock to the bachelor and the audience, who had both wanted to see genuine romance. Seeing them play into what they thought were “gay” stereotypes in order to win was just cruel. It’s a shame, as the community would have rallied behind it had they not had the rug pulled out from underneath them.
#3: “Who’s Your Daddy?” (2005)
Top 20 Worst TV Shows of the Century (So Far)
This was like a deranged version of “Mamma Mia!” One woman, who had been adopted as a child, was tasked with narrowing down a large group of men to find out who her true father is. The actors have to convince her they’re her family, with a cash prize if they can fool her. Needless to say, it was an uncomfortable, emotional watch. It was criticized by adoptive parents across the nation, who felt that it painted the practice in a negative light. They were also criticized for the intentionally provocative title as a way to pull more viewers in. Overall, “Who’s Your Daddy” was seen more as clickbait than a genuine attempt at reuniting a family – leading it to be swiftly shelved.
#2: “Toddlers & Tiaras” (2009-16)
We have serious questions for whoever greenlit this. Based around forcing young girls into the beauty pageant circuit, “Toddlers & Tiaras” has been considered one of the most harmful reality shows in recent history. From putting children in inappropriate costumes to forcing them into painful beauty routines, the parents went to extreme lengths for the sake of the crown. It put a spotlight on how abusive stage parents can be, and the things kids are put through to win a contest. The fact that the series ran for as long as it did is shocking, as most offensive productions get the boot after a season or two – not seven. Thankfully, it was canceled in 2016 – and hopefully, we’ll never see a repeat of it. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dishonorable mentions.
“Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (2007-21)
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It’s One of the Most Controversial Shows about One of America’s Most Contentious Families
“Love Island” (2015-)
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“I Wanna Marry ‘Harry’” (2014)
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Several Women Were Convinced They Had a Chance at Dating a Faux Prince Harry
“19 Kids and Counting” (2008-15)
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#1: “The Swan” (2004)
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Unfortunately, one staple of 2000s reality TV was completely altering the way you looked. From preying on brides’ insecurities in “Bridalplasty” to promoting eating and exercise disorders in “Extreme Makeover,” producers were willing to go to any length to get people to permanently change themselves. However, the most egregious was “The Swan.” Two women were pitted against each other weekly to see who would undergo the best makeover. These were done primarily through extensive plastic surgery, with the veneer of turning “ugly ducklings” into swans. The very basis of the show was cruel and promoted ideals that were unreachable without going under the knife. After watching this, it’s clear to see why there’s been such a push for body positivity in recent years.
