Reality TV has been a fixture of the television landscape for at least 30 years, but the definition of the medium still varies wildly. There’s the wine-throwing, drama-focused variety; there are back-breaking competition series; and there are, true to the title, documentary-esque shows focused on real people living real lives. With all that noise, it can be tough to decide how to get started watching—or even signing up for!—reality TV.
If you want an idea of the best reality TV, start with the ones who set the standard. Below, we profile nine innovators in the reality realm.
“The Real World”
MTV’s “The Real World” was the first modern reality show, kicking off a boom period for the medium. As the opening narration went, seven strangers were picked to live in a loft and have their lives taped. Because there was no real concept of a “reality TV star” when the series launched in 1992, the cast (at least for the first few seasons) was chosen purely based on who had an interesting story—not who drank the most, slept around the most, or would otherwise give the shady enjoyment that far too many reality shows now trade in. Instead, “The Real World” (again, particularly earlier seasons) candidly captured hot-button topics like race, religion, drug abuse, and sexual health. (“San Francisco” cast member Pedro Zamora was one of the first openly gay men living with AIDS to be featured in popular media.) Several “Real World” cast members springboarded into the industry after their respective seasons, including actor Jacinda Barrett (“Bloodline”), pro wrestler Mike Mizanin, and Karamo Brown, best known for being part of the new Fab 5 in Netflix’s “Queer Eye” revival.
“Survivor”
This longtime classic was the first reality show on network television. The premise is simple: a group of people are stranded in a remote location (usually an island) with few supplies. Contestants compete in challenges in the hopes of earning rewards, like more food or a luxurious room to sleep in. Each week, someone is voted off the show, and the last survivor standing wins $1 million.
“Survivor” reinvented the genre by combining the voyeurism of something like “The Real World” with a game show. The success of that formula is indisputable—46 seasons and counting!—and its influence can be felt in follow-ups like “The Amazing Race” and “Alone.”
How to Get Cast on ‘Survivor’“Big Brother”
Originally conceived as more of a social experiment than a show, “Big Brother” was innovative in the way it involved the audience like never before. The show continues today with a group of random strangers who live in a house, much like “The Real World” but with a few key differences. The housemates are not permitted to leave, and they can’t have access to the outside world. (One exception was made in 2001 when contestant Monica Bailey lost a relative in the 9/11 attacks.) Around 200 cameras run 24 hours a day, and viewers have the option to watch live feeds at any time in addition to three weekly episodes. Audience members vote each week to decide who gets kicked out of the house.
This around-the-clock access was groundbreaking years before social media gave us constant updates on each other, and the audience-participation element remains a fixture of reality TV to this day. (Disclaimer: I worked as an associate producer on Season 5 of “Big Brother.”)
“American Idol”
The original singing competition, “American Idol” set a template that’s still being used. Without this series, there’d be no “The Voice,” “Masked Singer,” “X Factor,” or “America’s Got Talent.” Hundreds of aspiring singers (of very varying talent levels) audition at casting calls around the country. From there, 50 are chosen to go to Hollywood, where they compete against each other until one audience-chosen winner gets a record contract and $250,000.
What sets “American Idol” apart is the fact it’s been a genuine star-maker over the years. Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson is a three-time Grammy winner with her own daytime talk show (which itself has nabbed seven Daytime Emmys). Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson is the youngest woman in history to obtain EGOT status. Season 8 winner Adam Lambert became lead vocalist for the legendary band Queen.
How to Get Cast on ‘American Idol’“The Amazing Race”
“The Amazing Race” is essentially an educational travelogue disguised as a thrilling game show, introducing audiences to 94 different countries over its 35 seasons. The series, which launched in 2001, follows pairs of contestants in a rally around the world, each stop featuring challenges that reveal the customs and culture of that location. I personally can’t even begin to comprehend what actually goes into making this show work. The logistics, the passport clearances, even just the different languages. It’s a marvel.
“Project Runway”
Before “Project Runway,” most reality competition shows featured regular people in extraordinary circumstances. But this influential Bravo series pioneered creative-focused contests set in an industry niche, paving the way for emulators like “Ink Master,” “Top Chef,” and “Blown Away.” (And, of course, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but more on that in a bit.)
Hosted by model Heidi Klum and featuring a slew of names from the fashion world in the judge’s seats—as well as some of the best-dressed celebrities—“Project Runway” pits up-and-coming designers against each other for a cash prize and a feature spread in Marie Claire magazine. The show has been a major launching pad for professional designers, including Christian Siriano, who won in 2007. In 2008, “Project Runway” became the rare competition series to win a Peabody Award for “using the ‘television reality contest’ genre to engage, inform, enlighten and entertain.”
“RuPaul’s Drag Race”
Since its premiere in 2009, this iconic competition series has been an invaluable part of drag culture gaining widespread acceptance and popularity. “The authenticity of the show [is what] I think people really latch onto,” Season 13 winner Symone told us. “What I really loved about it, what got me, was seeing people transform and being able to do whatever they want, having the audacity and the creativity to completely create another being on this earth.”
Each season sees a new group of queens competing in challenges that test skills in dress, makeup, and performance. As a unique twist, the two bottom contestants each week get a last chance to save themselves by competing in a lip sync battle. The queens can be catty, but mostly they are supportive of one another, which makes for a happy, positive show. RuPaul is an excellent host, both pithy and comforting to competitors who exit—which is probably why he’s the most awarded Black entertainer in Emmys history. “Drag Race” itself has won 29 Emmys, also a record for reality TV.
How to Get Cast on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’“The Great British Bake Off”
Devoid of blow-ups, scandals, or any other behavior that would get a normal adult arrested, “The Great British Bake Off” set a new standard for comforting reality TV. The premise is not exactly unique in the baking show world. Competitors are given a set of culinary challenges and then judges—primarily Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, and Prue Leith—send one baker home. The difference is all in the vibe, which feels like a big, warm hug. The hosts are gentle, and the competitors are friendly; that’s what gets you invested. You want everyone to succeed. (Of course, there are also the big pastries to dream of eating.) Curl up under a blanket with a big mug of cocoa and relax into the show.
“Face Off”
Of the many reality shows dedicated to a super-specific profession, “Face Off” is a favorite. For 13 seasons, this Syfy series was dedicated to finding the next great special effects makeup artist.
With judges that included artists like Glenn Hetrick (“The Hunger Games,” “Star Trek: Discovery”) and Academy Award winner Ve Neill (“Beetlejuice,” “Ed Wood”), each episode held two trials: a quick challenge that would earn the winner immunity or some other perk and a larger, multiday challenge to determine who gets sent home. This show was wonderful for lovers of the horror and sci-fi genre, as well as anyone interested in the craft of filmmaking. What set “Face Off” apart from its peers was the attention paid to the actual process. It was a celebration of creativity, and the final results were always stunning to behold.