Dan's Favorite Reality TV Shows of the Past 25 Years - 1990 to 2015
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- CreatorJonathan MurrayMary-Ellis BunimStarsJanelle CasanaveAlton Williams IIArissa HillA new version of the long-running MTV reality show, which looks to unite people from different backgrounds and find a common ground.The one that started it all, MTV's groundbreaking series where they put a bunch of people from different backgrounds together in a NYC loft, and watched what happened. Arguably one of the least contrived reality shows of all time in it's first season.
- CreatorMary-Ellis BunimJonathan MurrayStarsAdam LarsonShane LandrumSusie MeisterA diverse group of five to six people in their late teens to mid-20s are chosen to travel together in an RV, completing missions in order to receive a handsome reward. Each season's trip takes place in a different region.Doubling down on the success of The Real World, MTV gave us Road Rules - introducing challenges, intentional conflict, and rampant hookups.
- StarsAndromeda DunkerSuzanne WhangDavid BromstadHosted by Suzanne Whang, the show takes viewers behind the scenes as individuals, couples and families learn what to look for and decide whether or not a home is meant for them.A mesmerizing series that sucks you in and makes you scream at the TV to "Pick the Second One you idiot!" as new home buyers navigate the confusing world of real estate and select the home of their dreams - from three choices. The early episodes with Suzanne Whang are among my favorites.
- CreatorCharlie ParsonsStarsJeff ProbstLillian MorrisJon DaltonA reality show where a group of contestants are stranded in a remote location with little more than the clothes on their back. The lone survivor of this contest takes home a million dollars.I used to get together with my friends EVERY WEEK to watch Survivor together, eat junk food, and enjoy as the clean cut and well fed contestants transformed through the season to leaner, dirtier, and arguably sexier versions of themselves... and eat bugs and balut and other horrible things.
- CreatorAndrew PerryStarsMark L. WalbergCatherine ChiarelliNikkole PalmatierA real-life dramatic series where boyfriends/girlfriends travel to a romantic place to quiz and fascinate the strengths of their relationships. Once the location has been selected, the couples were then introduced to singles and then break-up with their former partners until the last day of their stay. Throughout the run, they each had the chance to answer questions pertaining to themselves and their recent dating partner. It's here where they will find out if what they believe what their dream date is the one they really want.The oft forgotten show where couples were taken to a tropical island, split apart, and thrown into a shark tank of bloodthirsty, sexy singles set on breaking them up permanently.
- StarsAnna Nicole SmithDaniel SmithHoward K. SternReality show starring everyone's favorite plus sized model Anna Nicole Smith!The show that introduced us to the tragic beauty of Anna Nicole.
- CreatorKen MokTyra BanksKenya BarrisStarsAdrianne CurryYoanna HouseTyra BanksA cyclical competition in which women from all over the U.S. compete for the honor of being America's next "it girl" in the modeling world.ANTM has taught an entire generation to smile with their eyes. Nuff said.
- StarsParis HiltonNicole RichieJames DuMontParis and Nicole accept various internships along the East Coast. Hilarity ensues as the girls leave their limos behind and travel by Greyhound bus.Even though we couldn't figure out why they were famous, watching socialites Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie "slumming it" with regular people was a wonderful guilty pleasure.
- CreatorDavid CollinsStarsTed AllenCarson KressleyKyan DouglasFive gay men try to improve the lives and confidence of straight men by giving them makeovers and advice.Perhaps reinforcing some stereotypes, but still entertaining to watch as five gay men - each specializing in one area - coach a straight guy on grooming and culture.
- StarsTy PenningtonPaul DiMeoMichael MoloneyA family that has faced hardship has their dilapidated house completely rebuilt while they are away on vacation for a week.In those early years, I ended every episode in tears, watching families who had endured heartbreaking situations were given houses built to fit their unique needs by Ty Pennington and his band of hyperactive builders and designers.
- StarsAdam J. HarringtonClinton KellyStacy LondonTwo fashion stylists and a team of hair and makeup advisors help revamp the look of individuals who have been nominated by their friends for makeovers due to their lamentable appearance, using a $5,000 budget.Clinton and Stacey work miracles on this show as they find people with shockingly bad style and teach them ways to dress that complement their bodies and elevate their confidence.
- StarsNina GarciaTim GunnHeidi KlumAspiring fashion designers compete for a chance to break into the industry in this reality competition. Each week, a designer is eliminated from the competition after exhibiting their work in front of a judges' panel.The reason I got cable TV and a DVR, so I'd never miss an episode. I learned to sew thanks to the inspiration, and watched it religiously (until it went to Lifetime).
- CreatorNely GalanStarsTerry J. DubrowAmanda ByramNely GalanA reality show about an ugly duckling turned beautiful swan, only it's a woman giving herself a physical makeover with plastic surgery, to compete in a beauty pageant.A train wreck of low self esteem, as women compete to transform into beauty pageant contestants via plastic surgery and fitness regimens. Hard to watch but impossible to stop watching.
- CreatorKevin BurnsStarsHugh HefnerHolly MadisonBridget MarquardtAn inside peek at what really goes on inside the Playboy Mansion, starring Hugh Hefner's then three main girlfriends Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson.Hugh Hefner's three girlfriends, Bridget, Holly & Kendra navigating polyamory, pool parties, and photo shoots. I thought I'd hate it, but absolutely fell in love with two of the three girls, watching their spin-offs after they left the mansion.
- StarsGlenn KinseyDevonric JohnsonJerry HallFormer model Jerry Hall tries to turn all American boys into refined British gentlemen in this VH1 reality series.Jerry Hall - Mick Jagger's ex-wife - coaching and testing a group of American men to decide which would become her kept man. Wonderfully different in a sea of shows about pretty women.
- StarsTom ColicchioPadma LakshmiGail SimmonsA reality competition show in which chefs compete against one another in culinary challenges and are a judged by a panel of food and wine experts, with one or more contestants eliminated each episode.The show that inspired me to cook and blog, taught me to talk about food, and introduced me to celebrity chefs and up and comers and fine dining. After a slow first season, the switch to Padma Lakshmi as the host elevate the show immensely, and her banter with Tom and Gail is wonderful.
- StarsBear GryllsChris KrattWill FerrellBear Grylls travels the world in search of challenges to his survival skills.Sexy, sexy Bear Gryllis drinking his own pee, eating frogs, holding his breath and falling down hillsides.
- StarsErin TietsortNick D'AnnaJanelle PerryA look at the lives and loves of employees and clients of a Los Angeles tanning salon.A perfect summer diversion in 2007, watching "The Ollys" and the rest of the vapid staff at a tanning salon fight and argue and bicker and occasionally spray a customer with tanning solution.
- StarsChuck ThompsonSherry WoodardJohn GarciaDogTown documents the work of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where trainers and vets rescue and rehabilitate dogs no one else wants. Follow the stories of dogs and the people who love them enough to give them a second chance at life.A tear-jerking show following the dogs and trainers at a massive no-kill shelter that tries to rehabilitate some of the most damaged dogs.
- StarsRuPaulMichelle VisageRoss MathewsRuPaul searches for America's next drag superstar.The show that introduced drag to the masses, and has caused an explosion in the number of drag queens and the variety of drag queens in the world... and inspired me to learn a trick or two about beating my face.
- StarsMichael RainesJoey SciaccaJohn ValenciaA group of strangers gathered for three months to test out the concept of rebuilding civilization.Like Survivor, but in the city - watching as a bunch of specialists from various fields apply their knowledge and test their people skills as they try to survive a post disaster, off grid world.
- StarsEvan MichelsonMike ZohnRyan MatthewNew York City's Obscura Antiques & Oddities ain't your grandmother's antique shop unless your grandmother is an eccentric. Oddities follows this unique store as it deals in the strange and the bizarre, item-wise and client-wise.Taxidermy, antique medical equipment, human remains and everything in between are bought and sold at this NYC shop, with the customers arguably more interesting than the things they come to the shop to buy and sell.
- StarsMcKenzie WestmoreGlenn HetrickVe NeillSpecial effects make up artists compete in challenges.A dream job of mine, watching season after season of make-up artists transform models into aliens, animals and accidents keeps me up late every week and inspires my own costumes and makeup.
- StarsDave NavarroOliver PeckChris NunezTen of the country's most creative and skilled tattoo artists are judged by icons of the tattoo world. They compete for a hundred thousand dollars and the title of "INK MASTER".One of the most antagonistic, arrogant groups of contestants on TV, I can't stop watching every week as tattoo artists apply amazing and awful ink to "human canvasses" who inexplicably agree to be permanently altered.
- CreatorElise DoganieriBertram van MunsterStarsStephanie NurFlorence KasumbaDouglas TaitFantasy meets reality as 12 contestants engage in epic challenges in the world of "Everealm", and compete to avoid "banishment" in order to become the one true hero that will save the kingdom.One of the highest production value and least appreciated reality shows I know of, a bunch of fantasy buffs live on what amounts to a Lord of the Rings set for weeks as they compete to save the kingdom from dark forces, and to be the last champion standing.