The Best Reality TV Shows of 2024
Reality TV gets a bad rap. I’ve said it again and again, and again.
Believe me, I’ve heard it all before. “I don’t watch reality TV.” “I think it’s all scripted.” “There’s nothing real about reality TV.” These opinions are usually spouted by someone who views the genre as beneath them. As if the sun and moon set only on the latest FX prestige limited series (Shogun IS fantastic.). But TV snobs just don’t know what they’re missing.
To be fair, reality TV hasn’t always shined brightly. Since Candid Camera kicked off the genre in 1948, and especially after The Real World brought it into the modern age in 1992, there have been many, many lowlights. Are You Hot? The Search for America’s Sexiest People, Skating With Celebrities, and The Swan did little to move the genre towards respectability. That said, there’s been significantly more scripted series that are as bad or worse than any reality show (see Cop Rock, Baywatch Nights, Manimal, etc.).
While there are some shows on this list that are purely guilty pleasure viewing, with five new entries replacing five shows from the 2023 lineup, there are many others that also tap into the feelings and emotions you’d expect from any scripted program but have true authenticity. This genre has it all. With that in mind, here are the best reality TV shows 2024 had to offer.
10. The Traitors (Peacock)
The first season of The Traitors was a pleasant surprise, mostly due to the antics of Kate Chastain and the wardrobe of host Alan Cumming. But the series hit pay dirt in season two and won an Emmy thanks to The Real Housewives’ Phaedra Parks ruling the roost, former Survivor champ Parvati Shallow’s scheming, and former Bachelor Peter Weber’s surprisingly skilled gameplay. Season three premieres January 9, 2025.
9. Love is Blind UK (Netflix)
Even though many are familiar with its American counterpart where couples date and eventually get engaged without ever seeing each other, Love is Blind UK is unique in its own way. Brits just date differently than Americans do, which is why this series is so interesting even though its success rate is about the same as its counterpart across the pond.
8. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)
What makes this series so special is that it’s a mix of a docuseries and a reality competition. It’s one part Hard Knocks and one part Survivor, but if Jeff Probst voted people out instead of the players. In this case, the “host” is longtime DCC director Kelli Finglass. A former squad member herself, Finglass has led the team since 1991 and every year slowly whittles down the roster to 36 women. Season two debuts in 2025.
7. The Golden Bachelorette (ABC)
While it’s still easy to dismiss The Bachelor and The Bachelorette franchises as only being a breeding ground for wannabe influencers, The Golden versions of the series are worth their weight in roses. The Golden Bachelorette has the sincerity, authenticity, and lessons in masculinity the original shows from the franchise lack.
6. Owning Manhattan (Netflix)
Real estate agent/broker Ryan Serhant has been in the reality TV game for awhile but finally hit his stride when Owning Manhattan premiered in 2024. The series follows the always audacious Serhant, who’s now the CEO of his own company, into the most beautiful and expensive properties in New York City. Filled with attractive and hyper competitive agents, Owning Manhattan is a real estate show for people who love drama and multi-million dollar views.
5. Top Chef (Bravo)
Host Padma Lakshmi may have departed, replaced by season 10 winner Kristen Kish, but the series’ 21st season set in Wisconsin hardly missed a beat. Changes to quickfires and elimination challenges and some stellar chefs made for a great season, even if the edit in the finale made it look like eventual winner Danny Garcia was going to lose.
4. The Summit (CBS)
While many reality shows have tried to imitate Survivor’s winning formula, few have succeeded. The Summit, however, comes close. This is by design. The show’s supervising challenge producer worked on Survivor and the person who oversees story and cast interviews is a co-executive producer on both series. Throw in stunning shots of New Zealand and you have a program loaded with addictive qualities.
3. The Below Deck franchise (Bravo)
The Real Housewives franchises provide Bravo with all the headlines but it’s this series, the rare reality show that features people who actually work on camera, that keeps the network afloat. Below Deck provides a rare upstairs/downstairs experience and is loaded with great characters, drama, and beautiful locales. It’s always fascinating, no matter which version you watch.
2. Welcome to Wrexham (FX)
The Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney owned soccer team has gone from also-ran to being promoted twice in the last two seasons so Wrexham FC has lost some of its underdog appeal. That said, there’s still no reality series quite like it. The show’s blend of sports, celebrity, and working class grit would be impossible to believe if it were scripted, which is part of what makes Welcome to Wrexham so magical.
1. Survivor (CBS)
The king of reality TV shows retains its crown for a second year in a row. Survivor isn’t just the best reality show on TV, it’s one of the best programs on television—period. There isn’t a scripted show anywhere that can replace its entire cast and still have all the excitement, drama, intrigue, and “dangerous fun” (as host Jeff Probst likes to call it) that Survivor does.
Season 46, which aired in the spring, was loaded with fantastic characters that will leave their mark for years to come. This includes one of Jeff Probst’s current podcast co-hosts, season 46 runner up Charlie Davis. Now in its third season, On Fire With Jeff Probst is a great companion to the TV show.
The most recent 47th season has been brilliant, featuring constantly shifting alliances, memorable players, and Operation Italy, a cunning blindside that will go down in franchise lore. After 47 seasons and 24 years, Survivor remains at the top of its game.
Why 5 shows that made this list in 2023 but aren’t on it in 2024
The Amazing Race (CBS): The 36th season of this otherwise dependable travel competition series was a disappointment. While the cast was fine overall, because the players stayed in mostly Spanish speaking countries and never left the Western hemisphere the course felt repetitive. And because one team was so dominant (winners Ricky and Cesar) the show’s usual enjoyable competitive element was lacking. Last year’s ranking: #5.
Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix): No 2024 season. Casting opened for a second season in August but an air date hasn’t been set. Last year’s ranking: #6.
Family Karma (Bravo): No 2024 season. This fantastic series surprisingly seems to be a low priority for Bravo. There’s been no word on a fourth season. Season three’s last episode aired on February 23, 2023. Last year’s ranking: #8.
Wrestlers (Netflix): No 2024 season and no word yet on a second season. Last year’s ranking: #9.
Jury Duty (Amazon Freevee): No 2024 season and a second season hasn’t been announced and isn’t expected. Last year’s ranking: #10.
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.
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