Top 30 Most Controversial Reality Shows Ever

The mid to late 2000s brought a flood of reality shows, many of which you probably missed, like “The Littlest Groom.” This dating competition followed Glen Foster, a little person, on his quest to find love. This premise alone was controversial enough, as critics deemed it exploitative of little people. However, advocacy groups like the Little People of America disagreed with that analysis and praised the show for its positive portrayal. But they eventually found a way to offend that group too. Foster had expected to meet only women of similar height, but was blindsided when average-height women were added to the mix. This surprise twist outraged advocates, and after just two episodes, the show was yanked off the air.

If you ever thought reality TV had any boundaries, you clearly haven’t met the masterminds behind this show. Just as the title so bizarrely suggests, “Sperm Race” was a German series that featured 12 male contestants competing to see whose sperm could swim the fastest. How exactly did they pull that off, you ask? Well, they had the contestants visit a clinic to make their deposit, a segment that was thankfully left off-screen. Their samples were then frozen and taken to a studio, where they were filmed “racing” towards the egg and broadcast on TV. The fact that such a premise was even conceived of is wild enough. Unsurprisingly, the show failed to deliver for many viewers and it was promptly terminated.

In the late ‘90s, Russia saw a spike in carjackings, so a group of TV producers came together to devise the perfect solution: “The Interception.” In this show, contestants were given the keys to a car, which they could only keep if they managed to evade the police for 35 minutes. This concept was as real as reality could get, as the officers chasing them were actual Russian cops on the streets of Moscow. With that kind of high-stakes action, the show drew an average of 60 million viewers at its peak. However, instead of curbing carjacking, it only made the police look ridiculous and posed a hazard to innocent drivers. As a result, it was axed after just one season.

Over the course of two seasons, this British series presented audiences with a picture of the lives of residents in a working-class neighborhood heavily reliant on welfare benefits. But how accurate and nuanced was that picture? According to many viewers, not so much. “Benefits Streets” received a polarizing reaction upon its premiere, sparking debates that went all the way to the House of Commons. Critics slammed it as “poverty porn,” arguing that it unfairly depicted vulnerable individuals as lazy and reinforced negative stereotypes about people on welfare. Some of the show’s subjects even reportedly received death threats. Although “Benefits Street” drew a large audience, it also resulted in hundreds of complaints being filed with media regulator Ofcom.

Two years before he struck gold with “The Bachelor,” Mike Fleiss dipped his toes into reality TV with “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?” Modeled after a beauty pageant, the show picked 50 women, one from each U.S. state, to vie for the heart of a mystery millionaire. The supposed millionaire was Rick Rockwell, who ultimately chose Darva Conger and married her on the spot. The show was immediately condemned by both feminists and conservatives. But that wasn’t even the worst part. It turned out Rockwell had embellished details about his wealth and had a restraining order from a former partner. It’s no surprise his marriage to Conger lasted about as long as the two-hour special itself.

Ever found yourself swiping through Tinder and wishing someone could make a live version? Well, someone already did. Back in 2005, MTV released “Next,” a show that presented a contestant with up to five potential partners. At any point during their date, if the contestant got bored or uninterested, they could just yell “Next!” and move on to the next poor soul. Easy, straight to the point, and trashy as hell. This was basically Tinder before the advent of dating apps. Despite generating controversy, “Next” actually found an audience, airing six seasons and nearly 300 episodes in just three years. But like all fleeting fads, viewers eventually lost interest in the show and swiped left.

Obesity is a complex medical issue that needs a well-planned health regimen to tackle. But the producers of “The Biggest Loser” clearly didn’t get the memo. Contestants who were obese or overweight were pitted against each other to see who could shed the most pounds. While the series attracted a huge following due to its dramatic transformations, it also sparked a lot of controversy. By shaming contestants, the show framed obesity as a moral failure, rather than the medical condition that it is. Health experts warned that the methods used were counterproductive and, at times, dangerous. As predicted, many of the former contestants regained the weight they lost on the show, with some possibly facing lasting metabolic damage.

In 2018, Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle, but this reality show from four years earlier may have oddly foreshadowed the event. “I Wanna Marry "Harry"” featured a group of American women competing for the heart of Prince Harry… or so they thought. Their “prince” was actually some random guy named Matthew Hicks, who slightly resembled the British royal, although just about anyone would be able to tell it wasn’t him. But, in a masterclass of gaslighting, producers did everything in their power to convince the ladies otherwise. If you’re wondering what their endgame was, then you’re just as confused as we are. Guess we’ll never find out, as the show only aired four episodes before it received a royal chop.

There are plenty of ways to critique race relations in America, but “Black. White.” chose a rather baffling one. Co-produced by rapper Ice Cube, the short-lived show followed two families, one white and the other black, who were tasked with living in each other’s shoes. And by that, we mean, they were put in extensive make-up to appear as the other race. The goal, according to producers, was to examine racial stereotypes and prejudices, but instead of doing any of that, the show only ended up reinforcing them. Despite the controversy, “Black. White” actually won an Emmy… for Make-Up, no less. Indeed, they were awarded for putting white people in blackface. We’ll just let that sink in.

This TLC reality series centered around the Duggars, a devout Christian family from Arkansas with 19 children. The Duggars strongly emphasized conservative Christian values, hence it came as a shock when their oldest child, Josh, became embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal. In 2015, it was revealed that between 2002 and 2003, Josh had allegedly sexually assaulted five girls, four of whom were his sisters. Although the case was reported to the police, it never received a thorough investigation, and Josh avoided legal consequences. However, when these details resurfaced, the show lost many sponsors and was ultimately canceled. About six years later, Josh Duggar was arrested for possession of inappropriate material, which earned him a 12-year prison sentence.

Plenty of reality shows prioritize physical attractiveness, but few do it as flagrantly as this ABC competition did. Contestants vied to be named America’s sexiest man or woman, with judges like Lorenzo Lamas and Rachel Hunter evaluating their physiques. Where’s the twist? There is none. “Are You Hot?” was a show as shallow as its title. And while producer Mike Fleiss said the goal was to “[give] viewers what they want,” it seems what they wanted was contestants they could root for for reasons beyond looks. “Are You Hot?” earned a chilly reception and ended after its first season.

A bad review is one thing, but calling something a “horror story posing as a reality television program” is another thing. This spinoff of TLC’s “Toddlers & Tiaras” following young beauty pageant contestant Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and her family was derided for numerous reasons. Among the biggest controversies was the perceived exploitation, with the show seen as mocking lower-class and southern families. While the show was a ratings winner, one controversy - involving matriarch June “Mama June” Shannon and a romantic partner - was too great to ignore and the show was canceled. But to many, it shouldn’t have aired in the first place.

Where were you born? In a hospital? At home? Either way, you wouldn’t qualify for this Lifetime reality show about people giving birth outside. And by “outside,” we mean out in the wilderness. Births were depicted without any guaranteed use of medical guidance or modern resources to ensure a safe and healthy birth. Many saw the show as promoting unsafe birthing practices, which executive producer Yoshi Stone countered by saying there were resources available and safety measures put in place. But “Born in the Wild” didn’t make it to old age, ending after its six-episode first season.

You could live in a cave thousands of miles away from civilization, and even then, there’s no guarantee you’d be safe from hearing about the Kardashians. And this famous family’s notoriety started with the premiere of their reality show on the E! Network. Why were they being documented? Pretty much because they’re rich and attractive. “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” was routinely derided for being shallow, as were its “famous for being famous” subjects like Kim Kardashian and mother Kris Jenner. But many saw the show as the ultimate guilty pleasure, and it stayed on the air for an impressive twenty seasons. People are going to continue keeping up with the Kardashians, with or without a reality show.

Think only America is capable of making trashy reality shows? Then you luckily haven’t heard of “Blachman,” a truly appalling talk show that aired for six episodes in Denmark. Creator and host Thomas Blachman and another male guest would talk about the body of a woman who undressed in front of them. If you think that sounds sexist, you’re not alone. Called the “most sexist show in history,” “Blachman” was blasted for its chauvinistic premise. We’re not sure if it was low ratings or controversy that gave it the ax, but we’re arguably better off without “Blachman.”

A reality dating show featuring gay contestants? That’s a great idea. But a reality dating show based on deception and dishonesty is a terrible idea. That’s exactly what viewers got with “Boy Meets Boy,” Bravo’s ill-fated attempt at a gay-focused reality show. The show was about a man looking for another man to be his special someone. The cruel twist was that some of the contestants - unbeknownst to the star and their fellow competitors - were straight. In an interview, star James Getzlaff said he “felt betrayed” by the show. Modern depictions of gay people on television is by no means perfect, but it’s a lot better than this.

You know those guys who go to bars and try to use their “powers of seduction” on any woman they can find? Would you ever want to watch a whole show dedicated to them? VH1 thought you might, as it aired two seasons of “The Pickup Artist.” The show followed pickup artist Erik “Mystery” von Markovik as he mentored contestants in the art of getting dates in any situation. While Mystery might disagree, his methods were dismissed as pseudoscience and the show was also exposed as dishonest about who some of the competitors actually were. “The Pickup Artist” was thankfully put down.

As demeaning as “Are You Hot?” was, “The Swan” reached a whole new level of cruelty. This Fox reality show featured female contestants deemed unattractive who underwent various cosmetic surgery procedures for the chance to compete in a beauty pageant. The title came from the contestants being seen as “ugly ducklings.” The show was blasted for promoting unhealthy body images and equating conventional good looks with being a good person. Entertainment Weekly even named it as the worst reality show of all time. “The Swan” somehow aired for two seasons, and the only thing ugly about it was the show itself.

Dancing is a great pastime, but we wouldn’t wish Abby Lee Miller’s teaching on anyone. This Lifetime reality show chronicled dance instructor Miller and her classes of young girls. Many of Miller’s teaching methods - such as commenting negatively on her students’ physical appearances - crossed the line. And some of the numbers she choreographed were far too risqué given the age of the performers. In 2020, racist remarks made by Miller towards Black students were exposed, and Lifetime severed ties with her. If the show is ever revived, we hope it’s with a much less problematic instructor at the center.

Our concept of love and attraction is constantly evolving, but we can’t imagine ever being okay with the premise of this TLC show. “My Husband’s Not Gay” followed married Mormons in Salt Lake City, in which the husbands professed attraction to other men. However, since they didn’t act on their romantic instincts and were married to women, they were deemed as not being gay. The show was criticized for treating being gay as something that can be changed instead of being an innate part of someone’s being, and a petition calling for it not to air received more than 100,000 signatures. While the show only aired as a single documentary, it still goes down as one of the most infamous reality shows ever.

Another uncommon kind of marriage is polygamy, in which one person is married to many. “Sister Wives” spotlights this kind of union through patriarch Kody Brown and his wives: Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn. Opinions are fairly divided on “Sister Wives.” While some find it to be an informative glimpse at a different kind of marriage, others find the concept to be both legally and morally questionable. Some have even likened Brown to a cult leader, and television journalist Nancy Grace has called for him to be prosecuted. Having aired on TLC for more than a decade now, viewers still find themselves married to “Sister Wives.”

We love game shows for how they test knowledge and being able to stay cool under pressure. But this unpleasant Fox show was rooted in embarrassment. Contestants were given lie detector tests and asked extremely personal questions. If their responses were deemed truthful, they could win huge cash prizes. Based on a Colombian game show, “The Moment of Truth” left too much room for humiliation that made it impossible to enjoy. At times, it felt like both the contestants and the viewers were being punished. We’d be lying if we said we ever wanted a return of this show.

Meeting the father you’ve never known can be an incredibly emotional and personal experience. In other words, it shouldn’t be used as fodder for a reality show. But that’s exactly what Fox did with “Who’s Your Daddy?” The uncomfortable premise is that a woman who’s never known her father must guess who he is among a group of men in order to win $100,000. Adoption groups protested the show for cheapening a powerful experience, and viewers just weren’t interested. Only one episode of the show aired, as it was apparent that “Who’s Your Daddy?” was a dud.

For decades, the only depictions of transgender people you could find on TV were exploitative ones, like on this British reality show. Six men vied for the affection of model Miriam Rivera, whom they didn't realize was a transgender woman. The show was derided then and now for its humiliating nature as well as the potential damage it could bring to the trans community. While mainstream understanding of trans identity and issues was less developed then than it is today, it still doesn’t excuse just how cruel and offensive this show was and always will be.

Teenage pregnancy is an important issue that shouldn’t be ignored. But maybe it shouldn’t be the focal point of a reality show, either. Chronicling the lives of young mothers, this MTV show has earned both high ratings and high controversy for potentially glamorizing teen pregnancy. While MTV has argued that the show’s purpose was to show how demanding teen motherhood can be, others have felt the show has promoted it by making stars out of its subjects. A study did find that the show’s airing correlated with a decline in teen births, suggesting that it might be having some positive effect after all.

Weddings are considered sacred ceremonies in many cultures. However, when it comes to reality TV, nothing is sacred. Enter “Bridalplasty,” a show so shallow, we don’t know how to begin measuring it. On this E! Network show, soon-to-be brides compete in various challenges in hopes of winning plastic surgery procedures to get the “perfect” body for their wedding day. We can’t begin to describe how problematic that is, and the show was seen as both an indictment on reality TV in general as well as the impossible beauty standards put upon women. Anyone who’s been married knows it takes trust and honesty for a marriage to last, not cosmetic surgery. Thankfully, “Bridalplasty” was given the knife after one season.

To call “Jerry Springer” trash TV would be an insult to garbage. This daytime talk show was seen by many as epitomizing everything wrong with modern society. Hosted by former Mayor of Cincinnati Jerry Springer, the show specialized in sensationalistic topics and outrageous guests. Things would often turn ugly, leading to bouts of physical violence. TV Guide named it the worst show of all time in 2002, and there was also controversy about whether or not aspects were staged. After thousands of fights and perhaps millions of bleeps, “Jerry Springer” ended for good in 2018, much to the relief of many.

The use of children in reality television is already controversial, but “Kid Nation” stokes that controversy even further. The premise of this CBS reality show is that forty children, between eight and fifteen years old, are tasked with creating a functioning society in a New Mexico ghost town. While things didn’t reach “Lord of the Flies” levels of chaos, the show still drew plenty of concern over safety and exploiting child labor loopholes. Many advertisers opted not to be associated with the show as well. However, the controversy didn’t translate into ratings, and “Kid Nation” was canceled after one season. We’re not kidding when we say that this show was a bad idea.

Before Joe Rogan was sparking political debates, he was causing a different sort of outrage. Well, it was less Rogan and more the show he was on. “Fear Factor” was a game show that asked just how far contestants would go to win money. The answer: pretty damn far. Much of the controversy was around the show’s disgusting food challenges, in which contestants would eat things that could make you ill on sight alone. There were also concerns about animal welfare, with some trainers refusing to be involved. Ths shock factor ended up attracting viewers, even if many of them were watching through their hands, and the show was revived multiple times. The scariest thing about “Fear Factor” might be just how popular it was.

Unsurprisingly, the show that gave us Honey Boo Boo is controversial in its own right. “Toddlers & Tiaras” brought viewers into the world of child beauty pageants and showed just how uncomfortable of an institution they can be. The young contestants were depicted as being dressed provocatively and having procedures such as eyebrow waxings done to them. It might have been the parents making these decisions, but “Toddlers & Tiaras” still managed to get a national platform. For instilling dangerous beauty standards at a young age and other problematic aspects, “Toddlers & Tiaras” is the most controversial reality show to ever air.



Which of these controversial shows are you totally unashamed to admit you actually enjoyed? Go ahead and spill in the comments below.