Paste‘s 2025 Reality TV Summer Preview

By Terry Terrones  |  June 2, 2025 | 12:13pm
Larsa Pippen photo by Sophy Holland, courtesy of Bravo. Below Deck courtesy of Bravo. Shaq photo courtesy of Netflix.
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Paste‘s 2025 Reality TV Summer Preview
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Grab the sunscreen, dust off your flip-flops, and prep the grill. Summer is finally here! And although reality TV now dominates year-round, the summer will always be its traditional home—where it came from and what most inspired its view of the world.

The summer season usually means travel, relaxation, and sweating through your clothes in the name of “fun in the sun.” But let’s not forget one of the season’s most underrated pleasures: zoning out in front of some gloriously addictive reality TV. This summer’s lineup offers something for every type of reality TV viewer. 

So before you start pretending you like hiking or plan a beach day that ends in sunburn and sand in places it shouldn’t be, check out my picks for 21 reality shows worth watching this summer.

June

Below Deck (June 2, Bravo)

All aboard the drama yacht! Captain Kerry grabs the wheel for Below Deck season 12 while fan faves Fraser Olender and Kyle Stillie return to stir up drama. Anchored in the Caribbean, this floating soap opera promises to be packed with love triangles, crew chaos, and charter guests with champagne tastes and toddler-level patience.

Ugliest House in America (June 2, HGTV/HBO Max)

Multi-hyphenate Retta is back for a sixth season and she’s on the hunt for America’s most hideous homes. Across six episodes viewers will cringe at outrageously outdated styles while enjoying plenty of Retta’s hilarious truth bombs. 

Love Island USA (June 3, Peacock)

Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix is back to host the seventh season of this reality dating show, where a fresh cast of singles searches for love and drama against the stunning backdrop of Fiji.

NextGen NYC (June 3, Bravo)

Since we’re not be getting a new Real Housewives of New York anytime soon, Bravo fans will have to settle for the children of Housewives alums Teresa Giudice (New Jersey), Kandi Burruss (Atlanta), Meredith Marks (Salt Lake City), and Kim Zolciak (Orange County) bouncing around New York City instead. Think Gossip Girl but with an even greater sense of entitlement and a heavy dose of legacy Bravo trauma. 

Caught in the Act: Double Life (June 3, MTV)

Time to get scandalous! Tamar Braxton is back as host of this Caught in the Act: Unfaithful spinoff, where she and her team unravel shocking secrets. Each episode follows their surveillance and investigations into the pasts of those suspected of leading double lives.

Power Moves with Shaquille O’Neal (June 4, Netflix)

Can Shaquille O’Neal revive Reebok as a powerhouse in the basketball shoe game? That’s the big question in this new business docuseries, where Shaq teams up with Hall of Famer Allen Iverson to transform Reebok from an NBA non-factor into a slam dunk success. Think of it as a modern-day Air, but with Shaq and Iverson stepping in for Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

The Killer Clown: Murder on the Doorstep (June 5, SundanceTV/AMC+)

In 1990, Marlene Warren, a young wife and mother, was shot and killed on her doorstep by a mysterious figure disguised as a clown. This three-part series revisits the case, digging into the investigation and the motives behind the murder.

Virgins (June 9, TLC)

This new reality series follows four adult virgins (yes, adult virgins) ages 34 to 42, on a mission to finally seal the deal. One’s even a divorcee! Along the way, they’ll have first dates, team up with intimacy coaches, and step out of their comfort zones, all in the quest to lose their V-card.

The Snake (June 10, Fox)

Hosted by comedian Jim Jefferies, this new reality competition throws 15 players into a high-stakes battle for $100,000. Filled with manipulation, betrayal, and real snakes (not on planes, but hidden in boxes) expect the unexpected and plenty of slithery surprises.

Call Her Alex (June 10, Hulu)

Alex Cooper, creator and host of the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, is the subject of this two-part docuseries. It traces her journey from a self-conscious kid from Pennsylvania to the powerhouse CEO behind a podcasting empire. 

The Real Housewives of Miami (June 11, Bravo)

The seventh season of this Housewives franchise heats up with a glamorous trip to Spain, juicy details about Larsa Pippen’s (Scottie Pippen’s ex-wife) messy split from Marcus Jordan (Michael Jordan’s son), and a fresh face shaking things up. Real estate developer Stephanie Shojaee joins the drama this season.

July

Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest (July 4, ESPN)

In 2024, Patrick Bertoletti earned the Mustard Belt after reigning champion Joey Chestnut was banned from competition due to his endorsement deal with Impossible Foods. Who will be this year’s maestro of mastication? Tune in on Independence Day to find out. 

Bachelor in Paradise (July 7, ABC)

After skipping 2024, the Bachelor spinoff is back with plenty of changes. Wells Adams is out as bartender, with alum Hannah Brown picking up his cocktail shaker. The setting is new, with the venue moving from Mexico to Costa Rica. But the biggest change is that the series now includes singles from every Bachelor franchise, including the Golden editions. That’s right, it’s not just hot 20-somethings looking for love. Now there’s wisdom, life experience, and maybe even an AARP card in the mix. 

Big Brother (July 10, CBS)

Big Brother celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and the upcoming 27th season is pulling out all the stops to mark the milestone. Fans can expect extended episodes every Wednesday, plus a brand-new companion series, Big Brother: Unlocked, premiering July 25.

Back to the Frontier (July 10, Magnolia/HBO Max)

In this new series from Chip and Joanna Gaines, three families ditch the 21st century to reimagine life as 1880s homesteaders. For eight weeks they’ll trade smartphones for soap-making and streaming services for just plain surviving. No electricity, no running water, and definitely no DoorDash.

Kings Court (July 13, Bravo)

“Oh no, how do you date when you’re rich, famous, and ridiculously attractive?” That’s probably your first thought heading into this new series and it would be a fair one. The show follows supermodel Tyson Beckford, retired NBA star Carlos Boozer, and former pro wrestler Thaddeus “Titus O’Neil” Bullard as they search for their queen among 21 single, stunning, and successful women. Yes, the premise is absurd but I’m watching anyway.

Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks (July 24, Peacock)

Can’t make it to Epic Universe or any other Universal theme park this summer? This three-part behind-the-scenes docuseries is the next best thing, bringing all the thrills and secrets straight to your screen.

Project Runway (July 31, Freeform/Hulu/Disney+)

Heidi Klum returns to host the iconic fashion competition as it struts into its 21st season. Taking over the mentor role once held by the beloved Tim Gunn is designer and Project Runway alum Christian Siriano, who’s ready to guide the next generation of style stars with his signature flair.

Quarterback (July TBD, Netflix)

Season two of the Netflix sports docuseries will provide an inside look at the 2024-2025 NFL seasons of Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), and Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons). From locker room moments to game-day pressure, this show promises an unfiltered look at last season’s action.

August

Hard Knocks (August 5, HBO Max)

For the first time ever, the Buffalo Bills are getting the Hard Knocks spotlight. Expect plenty of behind-the-scenes access to reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen. Football, fame, and maybe a little romance (Allen just got married to actress Hailee Steinfeld this past weekend) are all wrapped into one must-watch preseason.

America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys (August TBD, Netflix)

The docuseries dives deep into Jerry Jones’s influence not just on the Dallas Cowboys but on the entire NFL, reshaping the game both on and off the field.

Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not dreaming of being on Survivor, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.

For all the latest TV news, reviews, lists and features, follow @Paste_TV.

 
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