Paste’s Fall Reality TV Preview: 16 Shows You Don’t Want to Miss

By Terry Terrones  |  September 5, 2025 | 10:01am
(Photos: Courtesy of CBS and FOX)
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Paste’s Fall Reality TV Preview: 16 Shows You Don’t Want to Miss

Reality TV often gets brushed off as little more than guilty pleasure fare, but let’s be honest, it’s also some of the most fun television out there. Whether it’s the drama, the comedy (intentional or not), or the sheer unpredictability of watching people put it all out there, unscripted shows have a way of pulling us in like nothing else.

Of course, much like a scripted series, not every reality show is a winner, but the standouts are pure entertainment gold. From long-running fan favorites to fresh concepts that push the genre in new directions, this fall’s best batch of reality programming has something for everyone. Whether you tune in for the chaos, the competition, or just to watch someone make questionable life choices, reality TV has you covered.

Check out my picks for 16 reality shows worth watching this Fall.

September

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (Sept. 16, Bravo)

Season 6 sees the ladies traveling around the globe, flying first class to Greece and even sailing the seas with the crew of Below Deck Down Under. In a first for both franchises, the crossover event will also be featured on Below Deck Down Under Season 4, which will air early next year. 

Survivor (Sept. 24, CBS)

It might be easy to overlook Season 49 of Survivor with a star-studded and historic 50th season of the OG reality series headed our way in February 2026, but that would be a (spoken in a Q voice) BIG mistake. The roster for 49 looks like another stellar one for what I consider to be the best reality show on TV. And with two players from 49 earning a spot on the 50 roster, you’re definitely going to want to see how this new season unfolds. 

The Golden Bachelor (Sept. 24, ABC)

Gerry Turner charmed golden bachelorettes, audiences, and critics during the first season of The Golden Bachelor. Unfortunately for Golden Bachelor #2, Mel Owens, it appears Gerry is a tough act to follow. Owens angered fans during a June appearance on the In the Trenches podcast when he said of possible Goldens, “If they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,” and admitted that he told producers to “stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs.” We’ll have to tune in and see if the 66-year-old former NFL player-turned-lawyer can recover from his controversial comments.

Shark Tank (Sept. 24, ABC)

The 17th season of Shark Tank will be the first without Mark Cuban as an investor since he first appeared as a guest on Season 2. Without Cuban, however, there’s more room for guest sharks. Set to appear this season are Kendra Scott, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Michael Strahan, Allison Ellsworth from Poppi, and Alexis Ohanian of Reddit. 

The Amazing Race (Sept. 25, CBS)

This season of The Amazing Race is being taken over by fellow CBS series Big Brother, as 13 former houseguests partner up with their real-life loved ones in a race across Europe. For the first time in Amazing Race history, teams face their first challenge before even lining up on the starting line. The first team to complete the task receives an Express Pass, with the last team facing the consequences of a Hazard.

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (Sept. 25, Fox)

Eighteen celebrities from across entertainment and sports will face grueling training exercises designed by an elite team of former Special Forces operatives. This season stands out for its number of duos, including married couples Eric and Jessie James Decker, Andrew and Shawn Johnson East, and mother/daughter pair Teresa and Gia Giudice.

Below Deck Mediterranean (Sept. 29, Bravo)

Barcelona provides a beautiful backdrop as Capt. Sandy Yawn reunites with a newly engaged Chief Stew Aesha Scott for a 10th season of yachting hijinx. Nathan Gallagher, a deckhand on Season 9, has been promoted to Bosun and is involved in a surprising pregnancy that’s sure to be the talk of the season. 

On Brand with Jimmy Fallon (Sept. 30, NBC)

This reality series will follow late night host Jimmy Fallon and, per NBC, “the most creative, clever, and competitive go-getters he can find” across industries as they team up to create winning marketing campaigns. Acting as a mentor on the show is Bozoma Saint John, a former Chief Marketing Officer for Netflix and a current cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. 

October

Love is Blind (Oct. 1, Netflix)

Get your golden goblets ready as the latest season of Love is Blind makes its way to The Centennial State. That’s right, Nick and Vanessa Lachey will be hanging out in my home state, Colorado, as season nine takes place in Denver, the Mile High City. 


The Road (Oct. 19, CBS)

Produced by Taylor Sheridan, well-known for his scripted series Yellowstone and Landman, comes this new reality singing competition hosted by Blake Shelton and Karl Urban. It follows 12 up-and-coming artists as they perform in venues across the country. 


Selling Sunset (Oct. 29, Netflix)

The ninth season of the Los Angeles-based real estate series sees Sandra Vergara joining The O Group. If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because Sandra is the cousin of actress Sofia Vergara. Sandra has quite a bit of acting experience, appearing in episodes of CSI, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Nip/Tuck. 


Married at First Sight (Oct. TBD, Peacock)

The 19th season of Married at First Sight, which was filmed in Austin, Texas, should premiere sometime in October. Although a date hasn’t been announced, that’s the month its fall season typically airs. The series has also switched from Lifetime to Peacock. 

November

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Nov. 13, Hulu)

According to Hulu’s official synopsis, things are heating up in Salt Lake City when “the pursuit of the truth calls character into question, a war over morality begins, and a clash between #Momtok and #Dadtok erupts.” They had me at “a war over morality.” 


The American Revolution (Nov. 16, PBS)

Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns is turning his lens on some of America’s original reality drama with The American Revolution. In this sweeping six-part, 12-hour documentary, Burns chronicles the nation’s fight for independence, an eight-year struggle that not only shaped the United States but also forever changed the world.

December

Owning Manhattan (Dec. 5, Netflix)

Season 2 will continue following powerhouse business mogul Ryan Serhant and his cleverly named brokerage, SERHANT (Yes, it’s in ALL CAPS.), through the crazy world of New York City real estate. The intensity of Season 2 builds upon the final moments of the Season 1 finale, in which Serhant was offered the opportunity to sell an entire building of units worth more than $300 million. 


Members Only: Palm Beach (Dec. TBD, Netflix) 

This new eight-episode series takes viewers inside Palm Beach County, where wealth is everywhere, but the real game is status. The show follows a group of women who navigate old traditions, social pecking orders, and the unspoken rules of one of America’s most exclusive circles. 

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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