Top 10 Best Reality TV Shows of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Survivor Survivor is a reality TV show in which a group of castaways inhabit an island where they are forced to compete against each other in a series of challenges. They must survive in order to win the million dollar prize.

This show is amazing. The host, Jeff Probst, is absolutely gold. He makes me laugh every time. I love the immunity challenges because there is so much competition between the two tribes. I've learned so many of their best sayings from all the people.

The suspense at Tribal Council is so thrilling - you never know who's going home. Sometimes I'm a little disappointed by the winner, but that's part of the fun. Thank you so much, CBS, for this great show!

Survivor is one of the first reality shows to really test people physically and mentally. This show gave inspiration for almost all reality TV shows out there (Big Brother, Amazing Race, etc.). It really is the branch for all reality TV shows. The host is absolutely amazing (he definitely makes the show more interesting).

It's very competitive, and you're always cheering for your favorite player. There are many surprises and shocking moments. I recommend watching the show if you haven't.

2 Big Brother Big Brother is a reality game show franchise created by John de Mol, originally broadcast in the Netherlands and subsequently syndicated internationally.

I love this show and can't wait for season 16. It is great, even though some people say that Rachel Reilly was rigged to win Big Brother. That may be true, I agree, but I personally just wanted to see her win. She deserved it. However, please, that was just way too obvious.

Other than that, I think this show is great. Season 15 wasn't as good as it was before, but that was just because they got out the threats really early.

This show... More entertaining, more realistic, more "hard to do." 80-something days in a house, with people you very possibly hate, cameras around every corner, and a challenge every other day. Big Brother fan for life.

Big Brother is better than Survivor because in Survivor, a solid alliance is too powerful whereas in Big Brother, someone not in that alliance could win HOH and screw up everything! It's an amazing show!

3 Amazing Race

The Amazing Race is one of those shows you'll never get tired or bored watching. We all enjoy seeing different cultures, different environments. This show proves we don't need those silly dramas in a show. TAR is a clean show yet full of adrenaline.

I have been watching this since Season 5. We all enjoy seeing different places, different cultures. Sometimes, we even get to see some activities or attractions which we may never have chances to visit. We never knew about them either. It's always amazed me.

The most exciting show. The only reality show I would love to be a part of. Getting the opportunity to travel to wildly varying destinations and take on challenges that relate to culture and sheer street smarts. Love it!

4 America's Got Talent

I wouldn't call it a reality show because it's more like a competition, but whatever.
If I can call it a reality show, then it's the only reality show I love and enjoy.
I think the judges are nice and funny, there are so many talented people, and it's enjoyable and appropriate for every age.
It should be number 1 on the list.

This is a super fun show. There are so many people on this show from all around the world that have such unique talents! From singing to even juggling fire.

It's a great show that brings out the best in very talented people. It makes regular people superstars!

5 American Idol American Idol is an American talent reality television series that first aired in 2002. As of May 2019, there have been seventeen seasons.

This is the true singing competition where people can become stars. It's not just a show, but part of American culture.

I look forward to watching this every year. It's so sad that next year is the last season.

Best reality show ever. Best judges too, and host.

6 The Voice The Voice is an American singing competition television series broadcast on NBC. It premiered during the spring television cycle on April 26, 2011, and expanded into the fall cycle with the premiere of the third season on September 10, 2012. Based on the original The Voice of Holland, it has aired fifteen seasons and aims to find currently unsigned singing talent contested by aspiring singers, age... read more

The Voice should be number one! Even though more people watch other reality shows, The Voice has better singers than any other reality show!

I really love The Voice, and I think my number one favorite contestant of all time is Aydan Calafiore. He has a phenomenal, amazing singing voice, like damn, this guy can seriously sing so well!

The Voice is good, but there are so many ad breaks in between the show. Otherwise, it is good...

7 Cops Cops is an American documentary/reality legal series that follows police officers, constables, sheriff's deputies, federal agents and state troopers during patrols and other police activities including vice and narcotics stings.

This show demonstrates how effective the police force is in each state. It features excellent videos on the pursuit and capture of criminals.

This is the only actual real show that exists. It's the longest-running reality show to date and it's still awesome.

Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do, what you gonna do when they come for you! Bad boys, BAD BOYS!

8 Undercover Boss

Great show! I like how the CEOs take a walk in the workers' shoes in hopes of making the companies and the work environments suitable for all.

Super entertaining and funny!

9 Dancing with the Stars

Great, it could only be better if they would include more African American pros as well!

The very best real reality show!

10 America's Next Top Model

For me, it's definitely the best reality show. It has the right amount of drama, and the contestants are most of the time very likable and approachable. Before I watched the show, I thought all the models were dumb blondes whose only good attribute was their looks. However, this show changed my perspective because most of the girls were bubbly, funny, and some of them very intelligent, beautiful souls. Tyra also focused on their personality, which is very important, and she had a lot of quirky and different girls, showing that beauty is something 100% subjective.

I voted for ANTM because it's an awesome TV show and very inspiring. I LOVED the cycle with short models. It was very good for all those talented girls who want to become models but are short. The show also had an overweight contestant, Whitney (Cycle 10), and that was also very inspiring! The show makes me want to dream.

The Newcomers

? Better Date Than Never
The Contenders
11 The X Factor (U.S.)

The best reality show! I love it! Tyra Banks is the best!

12 Fear Factor Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare game show that originally aired on NBC between 2001 and 2006. It was later revived by NBC in 2011, only to be cancelled again on May 13, 2012. After its second cancellation, a two-part special aired in July 2012. The show was revived a second time in 2017 to air on MTV.

It's something real and out of the box, different from those celebrity reality shows, and it showcases an ideal factor.

This show is too good to be true!

13 MasterChef

This show has it all! Great competition and amazing culinary adventures. I just wish the home chefs posted their recipes on the MasterChef website after each show.

It's so awesome. My cousin is on this show and he's in the finale!

It's a joke! This is the best reality show ever.

14 RuPaul's Drag Race

Embraces the camp of reality shows and takes it to a whole new level. All the drama, talent, and quotability any reality addict needs.

Honestly, the best reality show. It should be higher!

15 Duck Dynasty Duck Dynasty was an American reality television series on A&E that portrayed the lives of the Robertson family, who became successful from their family-operated business, Duck Commander.

The best! I have been to their headquarters in West Monroe, and it is just like it is on TV. They all get off work at 6:30, and they are just people making a living, doing what they like, with whom they love, and doing what they know. The people in the town have a lot to say about them since they all know them, and it is all good. Most grew up going to the same church camp and same church.

This reality show is hilarious - the Robertsons remind me so much of my own family. I also like their religious aspect of life. And unlike other reality shows, they don't do stupid things like drugs and getting arrested just to get attention. It should be number 1.

#1 reality show of all time. I love Si. All races can relate to this show. When I have a bad day and need a good laugh, I watch it. My whole family loves it. It's a great conversation piece when my family gets together or via phone. It's so real.

16 Intervention

Amazing reality television that makes a difference.

17 The Biggest Loser

Great show that helps the world get healthier every year. Sure, it is a big sob story most of the time, but that is because people who get that out of shape are broken to begin with. Inspirational show.

18 Pawn Stars Pawn Stars is an American reality television series, shown on History, and produced by Leftfield Pictures.

Unlike many other shows, I actually learn something watching Pawn Stars, and it's funny and interesting.

For humor and knowledge, as well as improving bargaining skills.

19 Face Off

What's great about Face Off is that these people have talent and help to create the most iconic film makeup out there. That's staying power. It's a great show for Horror, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi fans, as well as people who love creativity and art.

There are also no cliffhangers like they have to use on subpar shows to get you coming back for the next episode. This makes it so that you can get into the show mid-season and still truly enjoy it as is. There are also no train wrecks to laugh at, so the show has a supportive feel to it.

I have never seen a show so unique! It's amazing what these people can do.

20 Celebrity Apprentice

One of my favorite shows. Always fun and interesting.

This show is really enjoyable. A lot of people don't know that, but it's really awesome.

21 So You Think You Can Dance?

This show takes you through the journey of a group of people who share the same passion - dance. Every week, beautiful, inspiring, empowering routines are danced. This show deserves to be recognized for its art. SYTYCD allows people to grow, not only as dancers but as people.

This show is completely amazing and definitely beats out American Idol, even though the two shows are by the same people and were SUPPOSED to be equals, just of different topics! If you have never watched this show, you have to check it out!

I know very little about dancing, so I only watch the audition episodes (for the people who make fools of themselves). Once they've chosen their dancers, I usually stop watching.

22 Impractical Jokers Impractical Jokers is an American hidden camera reality series that premiered on TruTV on December 15, 2011, and is produced by NorthSouth Productions.

What the hell! I can't believe that I had to add this. I mean, come on, this is rated 7.8 out of 10.0. This show makes me laugh really hard. For those who haven't watched it, I recommend you watch just one episode, and I guarantee that you won't regret it.

How the heck is it way down here? How is it not number one? Just because it's not extremely popular does not mean it sucks. It is the funniest show on the planet.

Of course, I just love this show. It's so real, hilarious, and just AWESOME. All four of them are just great.

23 Wipeout Wipeout was a game show in which contestants competed in what was billed as the "World's Largest" obstacle course. The series was cancelled in 2014.
24 Real World

The original and still the best. People get real after being thrown into a house together for months on end. Forget all the competitive stuff.

One of the best out there! Should be higher than 7th place!

25 Survivorman
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