Disappear Into The Drama
Sometimes real life can feel like either too much to bear or too little to entertain. In times like those, there’s one surefire way to escape that won’t break the bank: tuning into some good old fashioned, mind-numbing reality TV. And if you’re short on what shows might fit the bill, this list is just what you need.
Love Is Blind
Find out for yourself if love is really blind as singles fall in love and get engaged through conversation alone. And if you really want to spice things up, check out the versions made in different countries—including the UK, Japan, and even Brazil!
Love is Blind Season 8 | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
The Kardashians
An oldie but a goodie, The Kardashians’ got a solid 20 seasons ready to zone out on. Because what could be more entertaining than both loving and hating on how the one percent really lives?
Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007– ), Bunim-Murray Productions
The Bachelor
These days, there’s lots of options in the franchise to enjoy, from Golden Bachelor (old people need love too) to Bachelor in Paradise (where all The Bachelor rejects get a second chance to fall in love). There’s very few real romances here, but lots of drama to enjoy.
The Bachelor 2024 with Joey Graziadei: Full Trailer - The Bachelor, Bachelor Nation on ABC
The Traitors
Dozens of celebrities, a gorgeous castle, and a real-life murder mystery (without any actual danger, or course). What could be better?
The Traitors | Season 2 | Official Trailer | Peacock Original, Peacock
Bling Empire
This show provides another look into the lives of the world’s richest people. This time, though, with the added excitement of an international culture. If you liked Crazy Rich Asians, you’ll love this real slice of life experience.
Bling Empire: New York Season 1 | Official Teaser | Netflix, Netflix
Temptation Island
If you really like drama, this show absolutely delivers. And how could it not? It centers on couples separating for the duration of the show to spend time with hot singles in sunny villas—just to see if they’ll stay faithful.
Temptation Island | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
Queer Eye
This total makeover show provides a huge burst of positivity. Its stars enter the lives and homes of normal people, and give their personal look and home a facelift. Happy tears abound.
Queer Eye: Season 9 | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes with the sports world's “it girls”? If so, you’ll love learning the dark secrets behind the smiles on this deep dive into the lives of the nation’s most famous NFL cheerleaders.
AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | Official Trailer | Netflix,Netflix
RuPaul’s Drag Race
There’s no end of fabulous moments in this brainchild of RuPaul Charles. Even if you’ve never once thought of hitting the stage in drag, this high-stakes fashion competition show is sure to take you on an entertaining ride.
Best Of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 ✨, RuPaul's Drag Race
Big Brother
If you haven’t heard of this classic, you’ve probably been living under a rock. But luckily for you, that means you’ve got over 20 seasons of scheming, friendship, and betrayal to binge while watching contestants try to win a huge cash prize while under 24-hour surveillance.
Big Brother 20 Review, Peridiam
Selling Sunset
On the surface, this reality show is all about selling fabulous homes in California. But in reality? It’s all about the surprisingly entertaining drama that happens among all the gorgeous women selling real estate at its center. You’ll be in deep and choosing sides in no time.
Selling Sunset: Season 8 | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
Summer House
Perfect for watching when you don’t have the coins to fund your own Hamptons summer, this show is full of more first world problems of the rich and famous. Tune in for all things sunny, messy, and utterly fabulous.
Your First Look at Summer House Season 9 | Summer House | Bravo, Bravo
Below Deck
There’s a host of shows under this franchise to enjoy. If you’ve ever wondered what the regular people working aboard the yachts of the rich and famous are really thinking, this show will definitely have you hooked.
SNEAK PEEK: Start Watching The Below Deck Season 11 Premiere Now! | Below Deck | Bravo, Bravo
The Real Housewives
This is another franchise with lots of great options to choose from. And considering the amount of memes that have emerged from this show’s iconic moments, there's enough chaotic content to keep you tuned in for hours.
The Biggest, Messiest Moments in Real Housewives History | Bravo by Bravo
My Unorthodox Life
Delve into the life of Julia Haart, a previously very traditional Jew turned everything but. If you’re looking for something a little more niche, watching Haart and her family navigate modern life after a very traditional past will surely intrigue you.
My Unorthodox Life | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
Catfish
Unveil the pitfalls of social media with this show, where the hosts track down people hiding behind fake online profiles. From bizarre secrets to tragic plans, this show seems to get more surprising with every episode.
Catfish Confronted By Multiple Victims AT ONCE 🫣 Catfish: The TV Show, MTV Catfish
The Real World
If you want to check out a real reality TV classic, this one is for you! This show debuted in the 90s, giving audiences some of the first tastes of what it’s like to watch strangers act out on television. It’s managed to stick around for decades, which makes me think there’s plenty there to enjoy.
First 10 Minutes of the First Ever Real World Episode | MTV, MTV Vault
House Of Villains
This one’s especially for the people who always wished they could play the villain in their favorite TV show or movie. With all the reality TV “villains” in one place, the drama is sure to keep you entertained.
House of Villains | New Series | E! on Universal+, Universal TV Africa
The Simple Life
Another reality classic, this show follows the fabulous lives of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in the early 2000s. If that time speaks of sweet nostalgia to you, this show will help you escape to a very comforting past.
Twentieth Century, The Simple Life (2003–2007)
The Masked Singer
In this singing competition show, the contestants perform in full costume, concealing their identities. And while it seems a bit bizarre on first watch, trying to guess which celebrities are behind the masks is surprisingly addictive.
Say Yes To The Dress
This TLC classic isn’t just for young brides obsessing over the perfect wedding dress. In fact, I’d say the most interesting part of the show is watching the brides fight with whoever they brought to the appointment with them over what they really want.
Brides on a Budget | Say Yes to the Dress | TLC, TLC
America’s Next Top Model
This show has been off the air for a while now, but it’s as rewatchable as any reality TV competition show can be. Furthermore, watching Tyra Banks lord her modelesque skill over the young and impressionable? Too good not to enjoy watching with as judgemental eyes as possible.
The Models Shoot w/ Eva Marcille, Nigel Barker & Tarantulas | America's Next Top Model, VH1
Indian Matchmaking
This is another show that mixes little-known culture with a well-known concept. While the concept of arranged marriage may be new to you, watching parents agonize over who their children will marry isn’t—and is actually pretty fun to watch.
Indian Matchmaking | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
Love & Hip Hop
This one’s for the hip-hop buffs! It follows all the drama behind the lives of some of hip-hop’s most popular names. And if you’re curious about the rise of Cardi B, you’ll definitely want to check this out.
Most Watched August Videos On Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, Love & Hip Hop
Love Island
Oh, to be hot, single, and in a fabulous villa all summer. While it might be a bit difficult for most people to hit all three, we can get plenty of entertainment living vicariously through the contestants on this reality show who can. It’s equal parts passionate romance and fiery breakups.
Private comments EXPOSED and mayhem caused 🫣 | Love Island 2025, Love Island
My Super Sweet 16
This is another throwback for all the lovers of the 2000s era. While it’s pretty hard to imagine anyone doing this much for a teenage party in our current time, it’s still very fun to watch teenage girls crash out over a party they likely won’t remember in the next 10 years or so.
My Super Sweet 16 | First Official Trailer | MTV, MTV Vault
Physical 100
Standing apart from all the others on this list so far, Physical 100 pits 100 contestants against each other in what seem like impossible tests of strength. While it might not seem like a first choice for many reality TV lovers, just one episode of the South Korean show is very likely to have you begging for more.
Physical: 100 | Sneak Peek | Netflix [ENG SUB], Netflix K-Content
Project Runway
Fashion lovers draw near! In this reality classic, aspiring designers compete to impress judges with their skills and creativity. Even if you aren’t necessarily into fashion, it’s still interesting to watch the process of turning nothing into a whole lot of something.
Project Runway | Season 19 Episode 1 | Full Episode, Project Runway
The Circle
This is a newer reality show, but already holds its own when it comes to ratings. It’s all about social media, and operates like a cultural experiment in what makes a person likeable online.
The Circle | EPISODE ONE | Exclusive Cut | Netflix, Netflix
The Hills
Another one for the throwback roster, The Hills follows wealthy young people growing up in Los Angeles in the 2000s. It’s perfect for indulging in a simpler time, when celebrities seemed more untouchable than ever.
A Change of Plans | The Hills | Full Episode | Series 1 Episode 2, MTV UK
Too Hot To Handle
If you’re looking for a show that comes in hot, this one is for you. On this show, hot singles are tricked into thinking they're going to have a Love Island-like summer of fun—only to find out they’ve been challenged to total abstinence. Yeah, things get just as crazy as you might imagine.
Too Hot to Handle - Trailer, CineXpress
Next In Fashion
If you’re already a big Project Runway fan, this should be next on your roster. It’s much like the former, but expands the contestants to an international base, making for even spicier behind-the-scenes drama.
Next In Fashion | EPISODE ONE | Exclusive Cut | Netflix, Netflix
Vanderpump Rules
This Housewives spin-off has taken on a life of its own. It focuses on the employees working at the ritzy Vanderpump restaurants, and you won’t believe the kind of drama happening behind the scenes.
The Vanderpump Team Is Back and Better Than Ever | Vanderpump Rules (S9 E1), Bravo
Alone
If you’re feeling a bit more philosophical, this experimental reality show might be the one for you. The contestants are left in the wild with limited supplies, challenged to be the last one surviving all kinds of trials (both human and non-human!).
Alone: Jordon Fights the Elements to Survive (Season 8) | History, HISTORY
The Great British Baking Show
This show manages to be one of the few cooking shows that seems to appeal to a wide audience of both those who love working in the kitchen and those who just prefer to eat from it. The entire tone of the show is warm and comforting, and with the addition of the sweet treats, it’s great for hiding away from the real world for a bit.
The Great British Baking Show: Collection 12 | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
Is It Cake?
This is another food centered show you may love, even if you don’t like spending too much time in the kitchen. In this show, bakers do their best to make food that looks exactly like a non-edible item. The things they can do might surprise you!
REAL Suitcase or REALLY Cake? 🧳 Is It Cake? | Netflix After School, Netflix Family
The Mole
A mix of Survivor and Traitors, this show will have you guessing at each turn. Contestants compete to discover which one of their teammates is foiling them at every turn, and risk losing the prize pot if they don’t discover them in time.
The Mole | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
Perfect Match
This one’s for all the Netflix reality show lovers. In this little ditty, they throw together contestants from all their reality shows and challenge them to fall in love. There’s more drama than love, but isn’t that what we’re here for?
Squid Game: The Challenge
Squid Game took the world by storm when it debuted in the early 2020s. Then along came the real thing. Though not as dangerous as the fictional version, it’s just as interesting to watch how people behave when real money is on the line.
Squid Game: The Challenge | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix India
The Ultimatum
The king of messy romance reality TV, this show is for all those who love to know the dirty details of people’s relationships. Couples enter this show to literally break up, date someone else, then get back together to see what they really want. Ludicrous? Yes. Super fun to watch? Extra yes.
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On: Season 3 | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
You May Also Like:
The Worst American Idol Auditions Of All Time
