30 Overrated Reality Shows Everyone Seems To Like

Reality TV has become a huge part of entertainment worldwide, moving from a small experiment to a major trendsetter and launching many famous personalities. Though these shows often attract large audiences and generate a lot of online buzz, they’re frequently criticized for being inauthentic or lacking substance. Many people question the value of shows that use the same formulas, create artificial drama, or focus on sensationalizing personal issues. This list highlights 30 popular reality series that, despite being called overrated by some, have consistently remained well-liked.

‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ (2007–2021)

‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ followed the lives of the Kardashian-Jenner family, showing both their personal experiences and careers as they became famous. The show is known for helping create the world of social media influencing and changing how reality TV is promoted. While some critics felt the show exaggerated events and focused on family conflicts for ratings, it became a major part of popular culture and helped the family build several successful businesses worth millions of dollars.

‘The Bachelor’ (2002–Present)

‘The Bachelor’ is a dating show where one man dates many women, gradually eliminating them until he finds a potential wife. Each episode includes group dates, personal interviews where contestants share their feelings, and a rose ceremony where he decides who stays and who goes. While early seasons were criticized for a lack of diversity and the show hasn’t led to many long-term marriages, it remains incredibly popular for ABC and has spawned numerous related shows.

‘The Bachelorette’ (2003–Present)

‘The Bachelorette,’ which started as a spin-off of ‘The Bachelor,’ flips the script by featuring a woman choosing from a group of men. Like the original show, it’s full of romance and dramatic clashes between contestants. Though it still has loyal viewers, some feel the show has become repetitive and predictable after many seasons. Despite questions about how genuine the participants are, it remains a popular part of the reality dating TV world.

‘American Idol’ (2002–Present)

This popular singing competition searches for the next big pop star by holding auditions across the country and letting viewers vote for their favorites. It was one of the first shows of its kind in the early 2000s, launching the careers of stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Recently, some critics have pointed out that the show often emphasizes the personal stories of the contestants more than their singing. Even after a short break and a change in networks, ‘American Idol’ remains a ratings hit, attracting millions of viewers who enjoy the judges and the performances.

‘The Voice’ (2011–Present)

What makes ‘The Voice’ different from other singing shows is its ‘blind auditions,’ where judges listen without seeing the performers. The show also focuses heavily on coaching, with well-known musicians helping contestants hone their talents. However, some viewers feel the constant change of celebrity coaches draws more attention than the singers themselves, and few contestants go on to become big stars. Despite this, ‘The Voice’ continues to be a hit thanks to its unusual format and the engaging dynamic between the judges.

‘Dancing with the Stars’ (2005–Present)

‘Dancing with the Stars’ brings together celebrities and professional dancers who perform elaborate routines judged by a panel of experts. The show blends the excitement of competition with the glamour of Hollywood, showcasing stars from all walks of life. While some question whether all participants truly qualify as ‘celebrities’ and worry that voting often comes down to popularity, the show remains a popular TV fixture, consistently delivering high-quality production and unexpected talent.

‘The Masked Singer’ (2019–Present)

This show, originally from South Korea, features famous singers performing while completely hidden inside elaborate costumes. Judges and viewers try to figure out their identities based on how they sing and perform. Though visually impressive, some critics feel the show focuses more on its unique concept and over-the-top costumes than on the actual singing. However, its popularity suggests audiences are entertained by the mystery and playful nature of the show, even if the performances aren’t technically perfect.

‘Love Island’ (2015–Present)

Love Island is a popular reality show from the UK where single contestants, called Islanders, live together in a villa and are filmed constantly. To stay on the show, they need to pair up with other contestants, and viewers ultimately vote to decide the winning couple. While it’s gained a huge international following with versions made in many countries, the show has also faced criticism for portraying unhealthy relationships and creating pressure around body image.

‘Survivor’ (2000–Present)

‘Survivor’ drops a group of strangers into a remote location and challenges them to survive by finding food, building shelter, and making fire. Players compete in challenges to win prizes and avoid being voted out, all while playing a complicated social game. Though considered a pioneering reality TV show, some dedicated viewers believe recent seasons have become too reliant on gimmicks and unexpected changes, moving away from the show’s original concept. Despite this, ‘Survivor’ remains a popular and critically acclaimed leader in the reality TV genre, consistently attracting a large and devoted audience.

‘Big Brother’ (2000–Present)

As a huge reality TV fan, I’ve always been fascinated by ‘Big Brother’. The premise is simple: a group of people live together in a house completely packed with cameras and mics, documenting everything they do. Each week, someone gets voted out by the others, and the last one standing wins a pretty big cash prize. What always gets people talking, though, are the live feeds – they often catch the houseguests behaving in ways they probably wouldn’t otherwise, which can be really controversial. Despite all that, ‘Big Brother’ is still a summer tradition for me, because it’s not just about silly drama, it’s a really interesting look at strategy and how people cope under intense psychological pressure.

‘Jersey Shore’ (2009–2012)

‘Jersey Shore’ was a reality show that followed eight roommates during their summer at the New Jersey shore. It quickly became a pop culture sensation, popularizing phrases like “GTL” and launching the cast into the spotlight. While the show faced criticism for portraying harmful stereotypes and showcasing heavy drinking and fights, it remains influential today through its spin-offs and the ongoing popularity of its original stars, even though the first series ended over ten years ago.

‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ (2010–Present)

I’m a big reality TV fan, and ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ is definitely one of the most popular shows in the franchise. It’s all about the incredibly lavish lives of these women in Beverly Hills – think designer clothes, huge houses, and, let’s be real, a lot of drama. A lot of people complain that the show feels fake and focuses too much on the problems of people with way too much money, but you can’t deny it’s addictive! It consistently brings in great ratings and is a huge part of what Bravo is known for.

‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ (2008–Present)

The latest version of this show centers around a group of wealthy women in Manhattan as they navigate their careers and relationships. It’s famous for its quick wit and the complex, often dramatic, friendships between the women. While some reviewers feel the show hasn’t stayed as fresh after cast changes and a later reboot, ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ still has a dedicated following thanks to its interesting look at New York City’s social scene.

‘Vanderpump Rules’ (2013–Present)

Starting as a side project of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’, this show focuses on the employees at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants in West Hollywood. It became well-known for the complicated and dramatic relationships between the young people working there, many of whom are trying to break into acting and modeling. The recent “Scandoval” brought the show back into the spotlight, but some viewers are tired of the endless drama and make-ups. Despite this, the show remains very popular, demonstrating that audiences still enjoy reality TV with a soap opera feel.

’90 Day Fiancé’ (2014–Present)

As a reality TV fan, I’ve definitely seen a lot of ’90 Day Fiancé’! The show centers around couples where one partner is from another country and comes to the US on a K-1 visa – basically, they’re engaged to a US citizen. There’s a huge catch though: they have just 90 days to actually get married, or the person from overseas has to leave the country. It’s always a bit of a rollercoaster! I know some people criticize it, saying it takes advantage of people going through a really tough process and turns their immigration stories into drama. But you can’t deny it’s become a huge phenomenon – it’s spawned a ton of different spin-off shows, which is pretty incredible.

‘Selling Sunset’ (2019–Present)

‘Selling Sunset’ is a popular Netflix show that follows real estate agents at The Oppenheim Group as they navigate the competitive world of luxury home sales in Los Angeles. While the show features impressive properties, it’s also known for the drama and conflicts between the agents, leading some viewers to wonder how much actual selling takes place. The show taps into the public’s interest in lavish lifestyles and high-end real estate.

‘Too Hot to Handle’ (2020–Present)

‘Too Hot to Handle’ is a dating show where attractive singles live together in a villa with a catch: they aren’t allowed to have any physical intimacy or sexual activity. If anyone breaks this rule, the group’s potential prize money goes down. While some critics find the show superficial and believe the contestants are directed to behave a certain way, it remains popular and has been picked up for several seasons on streaming services.

‘Love Is Blind’ (2020–Present)

‘Love Is Blind’ is a reality show where single men and women date each other by talking through walls—they can hear each other, but not see each other. The goal? To get engaged before meeting in person! Once engaged, couples move in together and finally see if their emotional connection translates to physical attraction. While some think the show’s fast pace to marriage feels fake and that producers stir up drama, it consistently generates buzz online thanks to its memorable personalities and often-turbulent wedding ceremonies.

‘The Circle’ (2020–Present)

The Circle is a reality competition where contestants live in isolated apartments and interact only through a custom social media platform. They can choose to present their true selves or create a false online persona (‘catfish’) in an attempt to become the most popular and win a cash prize. While some critics find the focus on social media popularity and dramatic reactions to be predictable, the show’s distinctive look and exploration of online identity have kept viewers engaged.

‘Duck Dynasty’ (2012–2017)

The show centered around the Robertsons, a Louisiana family who built a successful business, Duck Commander, and became very wealthy. It highlighted their country lifestyle and close-knit family. Though once a hugely popular reality series, it sparked debate due to statements made by family members. Some also noted a contrast between the family’s down-to-earth image and their considerable wealth.

‘Pawn Stars’ (2009–Present)

‘Pawn Stars’ is set in a famous Las Vegas pawn shop where people bring in interesting items to sell or pawn. The show follows the Harrison family as they assess these items and haggle over prices, often with help from specialists. While some viewers suspect that customers and negotiations are sometimes staged for the show, ‘Pawn Stars’ continues to be a hit thanks to the fascinating history and information shared about the objects featured.

‘Shark Tank’ (2009–Present)

On the show ‘Shark Tank,’ hopeful business owners present their ideas to a group of investors – often called ‘sharks’ – hoping to get funding. The program focuses on the drama of the negotiations and the personal journeys of the entrepreneurs. While ‘Shark Tank’ has boosted many companies, it’s sometimes criticized for making the complicated world of venture capital seem simple. Often, deals that appear successful on TV don’t actually happen because of further investigation after filming, which raises questions about the show’s long-term effectiveness.

‘Dance Moms’ (2011–2019)

‘Dance Moms’ chronicled the beginnings of young dancers at the Abby Lee Dance Company, focusing on the drama between the mothers and their demanding instructor, Abby Lee Miller. The show became well-known for Miller’s strict methods and the highly competitive atmosphere among the dancers. While popular, it also faced criticism from child advocacy groups concerned about the emotional impact on the young performers. Despite the controversy, ‘Dance Moms’ was a significant success and helped launch the careers of stars like Maddie Ziegler.

‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ (2009–2016)

The show offered a look into the competitive world of child beauty pageants, focusing on the children and their parents as they strived to win. It often showed how far parents would go to prepare their kids, with things like fancy outfits and professional training. Many experts, including psychologists and critics, worried about the way young children were presented and the intense pressure put on them. Despite the controversy, the show was popular on TLC but is often used as an example of the negative aspects of reality TV.

‘Catfish: The TV Show’ (2012–Present)

Inspired by a 2010 film, this series follows hosts who help people find out if their online love interest is genuine. Each episode usually features a dramatic reveal where the person behind the fake profile—the “catfish”—is confronted, often leading to heartfelt conversations. While some viewers feel the show has become predictable after many seasons and question the participants’ reasons for being on the show, ‘Catfish: The TV Show’ continues to be a popular program on MTV, reflecting our current concerns about being deceived online.

‘Married at First Sight’ (2014–Present)

‘Married at First Sight’ is a reality show where strangers agree to get married the moment they meet, matched by a panel of experts. The series documents their wedding, honeymoon, and first few weeks of marriage as they decide if they want to stay together or get divorced. While the show’s matchmaking methods and low success rate are often criticized, it remains popular with viewers fascinated by this unusual social experiment.

‘Below Deck’ (2013–Present)

‘Below Deck’ offers a glimpse into the lives of the crew working and living on a luxurious yacht during charter season. The show highlights the crew’s intense work ethic balanced with their lively social lives, and the challenges of catering to demanding and sometimes unusual guests. While some viewers feel the show overemphasizes the crew’s partying, it has proven popular with audiences and has led to several successful spin-off series.

‘The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On’ (2022–Present)

The show follows couples where one person has given the other an ultimatum about marriage. To explore this, they temporarily split and each date someone else from a different couple. After this trial period, they decide whether to marry their original partner or pursue a relationship with the new one. While many viewers believe the concept is harmful and unhealthy for the couples involved, the show’s dramatic conflicts keep it popular and widely discussed.

‘Bling Empire’ (2021–2023)

‘Bling Empire’ was a reality show that followed the glamorous lives of wealthy Asian and Asian-American people in Los Angeles. It showcased their lavish parties, designer clothes, and the complex relationships within their social group. Although the show initially attracted many viewers, some critics thought it was too similar to other shows that simply display wealth and didn’t have the same appeal as the movies it was likened to. Ultimately, after three seasons, the show was canceled, highlighting how quickly tastes can change in the reality TV world.

‘The Kardashians’ (2022–Present)

Following the conclusion of their initial TV show, the Kardashian-Jenner family launched a new series on a streaming service. This iteration boasts a more polished, movie-like feel and continues to follow their businesses and personal lives. While reviewers acknowledge the improved production values, they point out the show’s content is quite similar to what viewers saw before. Despite some audience weariness with their constant public appearances, the series demonstrates the family’s lasting popularity and brand power.

Share your own thoughts on which reality shows you believe are the most overrated in the comments.

2026-01-08 01:48