List of reality television programs

List of reality television series, by general type, listed with the date of their premiere. A few details are added for some shows that don't have their own article. See reality television for further descriptions.

Documentary style

In this genre, camera crews follow the daily interactions of people in ordinary places, such as airports or restaurants, or follow people in a specific profession.
* "Up" series (began with "Seven Up!" in 1964) (UK) sampling the lives of 12 children every 7 years by Michael Apted.
* "An American Family" (1973)
* "The Family" (1974) (UK)
* "The Real World" (1992)
* "Sylvania Waters" (1992) (Australia)
* "The Living Soap" (1993) (UK)
* "Road Rules" (1994)
* "Airport" (1996) (UK; BBC show that made Jeremy Spake famous)
* "Airline" (UK; ITV's imitation of "Airport")
* "Airline" (US; 2003 on A&E Network)
* "Lagos Airport" (UK; Channel 4's take on "Airport" focusing on the third world conditions in and around Nigeria's main airport; a kind of "grim reality" show)
* "Bug Juice" (1998)
* "True Life" (1998)
* "Gachinko!" (ガチンコ!) (1999) (Japan)
* "The Band-Josie 7" (2000) (Australia)
* "" (2001) (Canada; Life Network show about the lives of eight young Canadians who host a number of television series and live together in a loft)
* "Making the Band" (2001)
* "Project Greenlight" (2001)
* "Scariest Places On Earth" (2001)
* "Making the Band 2" (2002)
* "The Salon" (2002)
* "Sorority Life" (2002)
* "American Chopper" (2003)
* "Fraternity Life" (2003)
* "Jamie's Kitchen" (2003) (featuring chef Jamie Oliver)
* "The Restaurant" (2003)
* "Starting Over" (2003)
* "American Casino" (2004)
* "American Hot Rod" (2004)
* "Amish in the City" (2004)
* "Bands Reunited (2004)
* "The Casino" (2004)
* "College Hill" (2004)
* "Family Plots" (2004) (US; A&E Network show about a mortuary in San Diego)
* "" (2004)
* "Rachael Rocks" (2004)
* "Deadliest Catch" (2005)
* "Miami Ink" (2005)
* "Stranded with Cash Peters" (2005)
* "Who's Your Daddy?" (2005)
* "8th & Ocean" (2006)
* "Bonds on Bonds" (2006) (ESPN)
* "King of Cars - 'Chop' and the gang at Towbin Dodge (2006)
* "Opening Soon"
* "The Real Housewives of Orange County"
* "Deadline" (2007)
* "Ice Road Truckers" (2007)
* "Jon & Kate Plus 8" (2007)
* "Chef School" (2008)

Historical re-creation

This genre takes modern-day contestants and puts them in the lifestyle of historical people or places.
* "The 1900 House" (1999) (UK; living in historical conditions. Also shown on PBS)
* "" (2000) (Canada)
* "The 1940s House" (2001) (UK)
* "The Edwardian Country House" aka "Manor House" (2002)
* "Frontier House" (2002) (US; PBS show set in the American frontier of 1883)
* "Quest for the Bay" (2002) (Canada)
* "The Ship" (2002) (UK)
* "" (2003) (Canada)
* "Le Moyen 1903" 2003 (Switzerland/TSR)
* "Colonial House" (2004) (US; PBS show set in the American frontier of 1628)
* "Infamous" (2004, E!)
* "Regency House Party" (2004) (UK)
* "Warrior Challenge" (2004) (US)
* "The Colony" (2005) (Australia)
* "MTV's The 70s House" (2005)
* "Outback House" (2005) (Australia)
* "Kid Nation" (2007) (US)

cience

This genre documents scientific analysis or exploration firsthand.
* "Mythbusters" (2003) (The Discovery Channel)
* "The Crocodile Hunter" (1997) (The Discovery Channel)

Dating

In this genre, couples or singles are brought together in dating or romantic situations.
* "Propose Daisakusen" (プロポーズ大作戦) (1973) (Japan)
* "Punch de Date" (パンチDEデート) (1973) (Japan)
* "Love Attack!" (ラブアタック!) (1975) (Japan)
* "Neruton Benikujiradan" (ねるとん紅鯨団) (1987) (Japan)
* "Ainori" (あいのり) (1999) (Japan)
* "Blind Date" (US) (1999)
* "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?" (2000)
* "The 5th Wheel" (2001)
* "Chains of Love" (2001)
* "12 Corazones" (2006)
* "Dismissed" (2001)
* "Farmer Wants a Wife" (2001) (UK)
* "Five Go Dating" (2001) (UK)
* "Temptation Island" (2001)
* "Who Wants to Be a Princess" (2001)
* "The Bachelor" (2002)
* "Bachelorettes in Alaska" (2002)
* "ElimiDATE" (2002)
* "EX-treme Dating" (2002)
* "Meet My Folks" (2002)
* "Shipmates" (2001)
* "Streetmate" (UK)
* "Would Like To Meet" (UK)
* "Average Joe" (2003)
* "The Bachelorette" (2003)
* "Cupid" (2003)
* "For Love or Money" (2003)
* "Joe Millionaire" (2003)
* "Married by America" (2003)
* "Mr. Personality" (2003)
* "Room Raiders" (2003)
* "Three's a Crowd" (2003) (UK)
* "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé" (2004)
* "Boy Meets Boy" (2004)
* "The Littlest Groom" (2004)
* "Outback Jack" (2004)
* "The Player" (2004)
* "Playing It Straight" (US - 2004, UK - 2005)
* "Date My Mom" (2004)
* "Who Wants to Marry My Dad?" (2004)
* "The Ultimate Love Test" (2004) (US)
* "Beauty and the Geek" (2005)
* "Celebrity Love Island" (2005) (UK)
* "How to Get Lucky" (2005) (UK)
* "Next" (2005)
* "Shopping for Love" (2005) (Australia)
* "Chantelle's Dream Dates" (2006) (UK)
* "Estoy Por Tí" (Spain)
* "Flavor of Love" (2006)
* "I Love New York" (2007-2008)
* "Parental Control" (2006)
* "Matched in Manhattan" (2006)
* "Age of Love" (2007)
* "Rock of Love" (2007)
* "When Spicy Meets Sweet" (2008)

Law Enforcement/Military

* "COPS" (1989)
* "Rescue 911 (1989)
* "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol" (1993)
* "" (1995)
* "World's Wildest Police Videos" (1998)
* "Boot Camp" (2001)
* "American Fighter Pilot" (2002)
* "Combat Missions" (2002)
* "Dog The Bounty Hunter" (2004)
* "Commando VIP" (2005)
* "Armed and Famous" (2007)
* "Mission X" (Philippines)
* "The Academy" (2007)
* "Jail" (2007)
* "Inside American Jail" (2007)
* "DEA" (2008)

Makeover

This increasingly popular genre features ordinary people having home or lifestyle makeovers with the assistance of professionals.
* "Changing Rooms" (1996) (UK) = "Trading Spaces" (US) (2000)
* "Mitre 10 Dream Home" (1999) (New Zealand)
* "What Not to Wear" (2001) (UK)
* "What Not to Wear" (US)
* "Extreme Makeover" (2002)
* "" (2003)
* "The Block" (2002) (Australia)
* "Life Laundry" (2002) (UK; house clearance)
* "Monster Garage" (2002) (US)
* "MTV's Made" (2002)
* "Clean House" (2003)
* "Clean Sweep" (2003)
* "How Clean Is Your House?" (2003) (2004) (UK)
* "Knock First" (2003)
* "Monster House" (2003) (US)
* "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" (2003)
* "Restoration" (2003) (UK)
* "Dr. 90210" (2004) (US)
* "" (2004)
* "" (2004) (US)
* "Pimp My Ride" (2004) (MTV, US)
* "The Swan" (2004) (US)
* "Town Haul" (2004) (TLC, US)
* "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl" (2005) (US)
* "A Makeover Story" (US)
* "Backyard Blitz" (Australia)
* "Born Diva" Formatted More like a singing competition (Philippines)
* "DIY Rescue" (Australia)
* "The Hothouse" (Australia)
* "Location Location" (Australia)
* "Relationship Rehab" (?) (Style Network, US)
* "Renovation Rescue" (Australia)
* "Trinny & Susannah Undress" (UK)

Lifestyle change

Here, ordinary people experience an extraordinary change in their environments or occupations.
* "Girl Friday" (1994) (UK)
* "Castaway 2000" (2000) (UK)
* "Faking It" (2001) (UK; remade in US in 2003)
* "Celebrity Fit Club" (2002) (UK)
* "Wife Swap" (2002) (2003) (UK)
* "Holiday Swap" (2003) (UK)
* "Masters And Servants" (2003) (UK)
* "The Biggest Loser" (2004) (US)
* "He's a Lady" (2004) (US)
* "Holiday Showdown" (2004) (UK)
* "My Restaurant Rules (2004) (Australia)
* "Nanny 911" (2004)
* "The Resort" (2004) (Australia)
* "Supernanny" (2004 - UK, 2005 - US)
* "Trading Spouses" (2004) (US)
* "What the Butler Saw" (2004) (UK)
* "30 Days" (2005)
* "Australian Princess" (Australia) (2005)
* "Brat Camp" (2005)
* "Extreme Celebrity Detox" (2005) (UK)
* "FC Zulu" (2005-7, Denmark), format FC Nerds also made in Sweden (FCZ), Norway (Tufte IL), Finland (FC Nörtit), Netherlands (Atletico Ananas), Germany (Borussia Banana), Australia (Nerds FC) Belgium and Spain
* "Ladette to Lady" (2005) (UK)
* "The Monastery" (2005) (UK) - six men are sent to live in a monastery for a month to try to find spiritual enlightenment.
* "The Convent" (2006) (UK), a female version of "The Monastery".
* "Shalom in the Home" (2005) (US)
* "Trust Me - I’m A Holiday Rep (2005) (UK)
* "Boys will be Girls" (2006) (UK)
* "Saved by the Bell" (2006) (UK)
* "Survival of the Richest" (2006)
* "Fat March" (2007) (US)
* "" (2007) (US)

Fantasies fulfilled

* "Thrill of a Lifetime" (1982-88 & 2002)
* "No Opportunity Wasted" (2004)
* "Your Reality Checked" (2004)
* "Let's Get This Party Started" (2005) (US)
* "Three Wishes" (2005) (US)
* "Simpleng Hiling" (Philippines)
* "Willingly Yours" (Philippines)

Docusoaps starring celebrities

This genre, launched most successfully by music channel MTV, follows a camera crew into the lives of celebrities.

* "This Is Your Life" (1952) (US)
* "The Anna Nicole Show" (2002)
* "The Osbournes" (2002)
* "" (2003)
* "Rich Girls" (2003)
* "The Simple Life" (2003)
* "The Surreal Life" (2003)
* "The Ashlee Simpson Show" (2004)
* "Blow Out (2004) (US)
* "The Gastineau Girls" (2004)
* "Growing Up Gotti" (2004)
* "The Simple Life 2" (2004)
* "" (2005)
* "Filthy Rich - Cattle Drive" (2005)
* "The Girls Next Door" (2005)
* "Hogan Knows Best" (2005)
* "I Married a Princess" (2005)
* " (2005)
* "Meet the Barkers" (2005)
* "" (2005)
* "Tommy Lee Goes to College" (2005)
* "Totally Scott-Lee" (2005) (UK)
* "#1 Single" (2006)
* "" (2006) (UK)
* "" (2006) (UK)
* "House of Carters" (2006)
* "The Princes of Malibu" (2006)
* "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" (2006 - present)
* "Being Bobby Brown" (2005)
* "Rob & Big" (2006)
* "Adventures in Hollyhood - Three Six Mafia" (2006)
* "The Hills" (2006)
* "Life Of Ryan" (2007)
* "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" (2007)
* "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood" (2007)
* "Yo Mamma"
* "Run's House

Hidden camera

Perhaps the oldest reality show genre, popular as far back as the early days of television.
* "Candid Camera" (1948)
* "Dokkiri Camera" (どっきりカメラ) (1970) (Japan)
* "Star Dokkiri Maruhi Hōkoku" (スターどっきり（秘）報告) (1976) (Japan)
* "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes" (1984)
* "Beadle's About" (1987) (UK)
* "Totally Hidden Video" (1991)
* "Cheaters" (2000)
* "Trigger Happy TV" (2000) (UK; launched comedian Dom Joly)
* "Spy TV" (2001)
* "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment" (2002)
* "Oblivious" (2002)
* "Girls Behaving Badly" (2003?)
* "Punk'd" (2003)
* "Scare Tactics" (2003)
* "Victim" (2004) (Philippines)
* "Celebrity Stitch Up" (2005) (UK)
* "Hi-Jinks" (2005)
* "Fire Me...Please" (2005)
* "Boiling Points" (US) MTV
* "Just For Laughs Gags" (Canada)

Reality game shows/Reality "Playoffs"

This, the biggest and most successful reality genre, features contestants who compete for prizes, while often living together in close quarters. Usually, they feature the eliminations of contestants until a winner is chosen. Sometimes they are considered to be "Reality Playoffs" since their format is similar to that of a playoff in sports.
* "Beat the Clock (1950)
* "Truth or Consequences (1950)
* "Susume! Denpa Shōnen" (進め!電波少年) (1992) (Japan)
* "How do you like Wednesday?" (水曜どうでしょう) (1996) (Japan)
* "Expedition Robinson" (1997)
* "Shiawase Kazoku Keikaku" (しあわせ家族計画) (1997) (Japan)
* "Susunu! Denpa Shōnen" (進ぬ!電波少年) (1998-2002) (Japan)
* "Big Brother" (1999) (Netherlands)
* "Big Brother (UK)" (2000 - present)
* "Survivor" (2000)
* "The Mole" (2000)
* "Shipwrecked" (2000) (UK)
* "The Amazing Race" (2001)
* "Boot Camp" (2001)
* "Cannonball Run 2001" (2001)
* "Fear Factor" (2001)
* "Lost" (2001)
* "Murder in Small Town X" (2001)
* "Pilipinas, Game KNB?" (2001) Dubbed as The Best Philippine Gameshow (Philippines)
* "Beg, Borrow & Deal" (2002-2003)
* "Endurance" (2002) (US)
* "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" (2002- present) (UK)
* "I'm a Celebrity... US version" (US)
* "Model Flat" (Fashion TV, 2002)
* "Under One Roof" (2002)
* "Dog Eat Dog" (2003)
* "Drop the Celebrity" (2003) (UK)
* "Celebrity Farm" (2003)
* "The Games (2003) (UK)
* "Paradise Hotel" (2003)
* "Való Világ" (2003) (Hungary)
* "Back To Reality" (2004) (UK)
* "Peking Express " (2004) (BEL/NED)
* "The Benefactor" (2004)
* "The Code Room" (2004)
* "The Farm" (2004) (UK)
* "Forever Eden" (2004)
* "Gana la Verde" (2004) (US; Spanish language)
* "I'm Famous and Frightened!" (2004) (UK)
* "Mad Mad House" (2004)
* "Quest USA, Da Tiao Zhan" (2004) (US)
* "Shattered" (2004) (UK)
* "Actuality TV's Casting Call" (2005) (US)
* "Infinite Challenge" (2005~present) (Korea)
* "" (2005) (UK)
* "Vyvolení" (2005) (Czech Repubblik, Slovakia)
* Pinoy Big Brother (2005) (Philippines)
* "Solitary" (2006) (US)
* "Ultimate Challenge" (2006) Pakistan first adventure based reality show
* "Unan1mous" (2006) (US)
* "Deal or No Deal" (2006) (US)
* "Total Drama Island (2007) (Canada) (Animated Reality Series)

Talent Searches

Often similar to the game show genre in that there are eliminations and a final winner, this genre centers on contestants competing a specific skill or talent, rather than in random challenges.
* "Original Amateur Hour (1948)
* "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (1948)
* "Opportunity Knocks (1956) (UK)
* "Star Tanjō!" (スター誕生!) (1971) (Japan)
* "The Gong Show (1976)
* "Owarai Star Tanjō!" (お笑いスター誕生!!) (1980) (Japan)
* "Star Search" (1980s)
* "Stars in Their Eyes" (1990) (UK)
* "Asayan" (1995) (Japan)
* "Popstars" (New Zealand) (1999) (UK version launched bands Hear'Say and Liberty X)
* "Search for a Supermodel" (Australia) (2000)
* "Bands on the Run" (2001)
* "Pop Idol" (2001-2003) (UK)
** "American Idol" (2002)
*** "American Juniors" (2003)
** "Canadian Idol" (2002)
** "Australian Idol" (2003)
** "Pinoy Idol" (2008)
* "Model Behavior" (2001-2002) (UK)
* "WWF/WWE Tough Enough" (2001)
* "WWE Tough Enough 2" (2002)
* "WWE Tough Enough 3" (2003)
* "Fame Academy" (2002)(2003) (UK)
* "America's Next Top Model" (2003-2007)
** "Canada's Next Top Model"
** "Britain's Next Top Model"
** "Australia's Next Top Model"
* "Be a Grand Prix Driver" (2003) (UK)
* "Comic Relief does Fame Academy" (2003) (2005) (2007)
* "Last Comic Standing" (2003)
* "Nashville Star" (2003)
* "Performing As..." (2003)
* "Reborn in the USA" (2003) (UK)
* "Search For The Star In A Million" (2003) (Philippines) ABS-CBN
* "Star Académie" (2003) (Québec)
* "StarStruck" (2003) (Philippines)
* "Surf Girls" (2003)
* "The X" (2003) (Québec)
* "StarStruck Season 2" (2004) (Philippines)
* "The Apprentice" (2004-2007, US, NBC)
* "The Assistant" (2004)
* "Bollywood Star" (2004) (UK)
* "The Contender" (2004)
* "Can You Be A Porn Star?" (2004)
* "Dancing with the Stars" (2004) (many countries)
* "Dream Job II" (2004)
* "Dream Job" (2004)
* "Get Gorgeous" (2004) (India)
* "Hell's Kitchen" (2004 - UK, 2005 - US)
* "Kings of Comedy" (2004) (UK)
* "" (2005) (Philippines)
* "Little Big Star" (2005) (Philippines)
* "Next Action Star" (2004)
* "The Next Great Champ" (2004)
* "Pinoy Pop Superstar" (2004) (Philippines)
* "Popstars Live" (2004) (Australia)
* "Project Runway" (2004) (US)
* "Wickedly Perfect" (2004) (US)
* "The Rebel Billionaire" (2004)
* "Star Circle Quest" (2004) (Philippines)
* "Strictly Come Dancing" (2004) (UK)
* "Super Singer" (2004) (India)
* "The X Factor" (2004) (UK)
* "Britain's Worst Celebrity Driver" (2005) (UK)
* "Celebrity Wrestling" (2005) (UK)
* "Filmstjerne" (2005) (Norway)
* "Football Icon" (2005) (UK)
* "Get Gorgeous II" (2005) (India)
* "Hit Me Baby One More Time" (2005) (UK)
* "Launchpad" (2005) (India)
* "The Next Food Network Star" (2005)
* "Rock Star INXS" (2005)
* "The Scholar" (2005)
* "So You Think You Can Dance" (2005)
* "Pinoy Big Brother" (2005) (Philippines)
* "Strictly Dance Fever" (2005) (UK)
* "" (2006) (Philippines)
* "The All Star Talent Show" (2006) (UK)
* "America's Got Talent (2006)
* "American Inventor" (2006) (ABC)
* "Dancing on Ice" (2006) (UK)
* "Dirty Dancing" (2006)
* "Just the Two of Us" (2006) (UK)
* "Knight School" (2006)
* "" (2006)
* "Pinoy Dream Academy" (2006) (Philippines)
* "" (2006)
* "Skating With Celebrities" (2006) (US)
* "Soapstar Superstar" (2006) (UK)
* "Top Chef" (2006)
* "Who Wants to be a Superhero?" (2006) (Sci-fi)
* "" (2007)
* "Megasztár" (2004) (2005) (2006) (Hungary)
* " Ego Trip's The "White" Rapper Show" (2007)
* "The Next Iron Chef" (2007, US, Food Network)
* "Phenomenon" (2007, US, NBC)
* "" (2007, US)
* "The Singing Bee" (2007)
* " The Shot" (2007, US)
* "America's Most Smartest Model" (2007, US)
* "Celebrity Bainisteoir" (2008, Ireland)
* " Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme" (2008)
* "Fáilte Towers" (2008, Ireland)
* "" (2008)

poofs

Reality shows in which one or more participants are tricked into believing they are taking part in a legitimate show when they are actually the victim(s) of a joke. These types of shows are somewhat akin to hidden camera shows.
* "The Joe Schmo Show" (2003)
* "$25 Million Dollar Hoax" (2004)
* "Faking the Video" (2004)
* "Joe Schmo 2" (2004)
* "My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss" (2004?)
* "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance" (2004?)
* "Superstar USA" (2004)
* "There's Something About Miriam" (2004)
* "Invasion Iowa" (2005)
* "Space Cadets" (2005) (UK)
* "Monster House" (2008)) (Australia)

Parodies

While not reality TV in the proper sense, these scripted parody shows reflect the level of pop culture status that reality TV has become.
* " Victoria Wood As Seen On TV (UK) (1985)
* " People Like Us (UK) (Radio 1995, TV 1999)
* "The Office (UK)" (2001)
* "Trailer Park Boys (Canada)" (2001)
* "Reno 911!" (2003)
* "Drawn Together" (2004)
* "The Office (US)" (2005)
* "FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman" (2006)
* "Rock Rivals" (2008) (UK)

ee also

* List of television show franchises