It’s hard to think that some of the greatest reality shows of all time are celebrating milestone seasons. For many reality television fans, it feels as if it’s the summer of 2000 and CBS was testing two new reality programs. Little did we know, they would help define the future of the entire genre.The 2000s were reality television’s formative years.Some of the most influential intellectual products were created. Many of which served as the blueprint for the shows we watch today.
During the aughts, every network tried their hand at reality television. Not all were successful. Whether it was docufollow or competition, the reality television world became what it is today thanks to many of these pioneers. Some of these shows gave us infamous catchphrases we still use today. Some launched the careers of now-household names. And some provided the strategy that would be utilized in every reality competition series in history.It’s time to celebrate the best reality television shows of the 2000s.
10’Punk’d’
2003-2007 (MTV)
Once upon a time, MTV developed a hidden camera comedy series that helped establish one of the most used verbs of the 2000s.Punk’dwas MTV’s modern take onCandid Camerathrough the lens of celebrity. Co-created byAshton Kutcher, best known for his time onThat ’70s Show,Punk’dwatched as the actor set up hidden cameras and caught some of Hollywood’s biggest names in compromising situations. All for a giggle and a laugh. Whether it beJustin Timberlakebelieving his home was being raided by the government orFrankie Munizthinking his custom-made limited-edition Porsche was being stolen,Punk’dwas one of the first true must-see celebrity reality series.
In terms of celebrity,Punk’dhelped establish the who’s-who of millennial fame.If you didn’t get caught by Kutcher, were you even really that famous?The series did have some famous faces serve as Kutcher’s accomplices, includingB.J. Novak,Dax Shepard, and the relatively unknownBill Hader. Though the original series ran its course over time, Punk’d was revived on MTV in 2010 with a slew of celebrity guest hosts and then again on BET, led byKing BachandDeStorm Power. In 2020, Quibi tried their hand at a reboot withChance the Rapperat the helm, but upon the fall of the streamer, it moved to Roku before its ultimate cancellation.
9’Trading Spaces'
2000-2008 (TLC)
Even though HGTV had a stronghold on the home, real estate, and renovation programming,it was one stray TLC series that set the tonefor how fun home renovation can truly be.Trading Spaceswatched as two sets of neighbors swapped homes and redecorated one another’s rooms. Hosted byPaige Davis, each team would be under the guidance and tutelage of an expert designer and a shared carpenter. With only two days and a $1,000 budget,Trading Spaceswas the series everyone aspired to be on.
The joy of the series was that it didn’t always celebrate perfection and exceptional design, it allowed some designers to truly experiment and create some of the world’s most outlandish designs to ever grace our screens. IfHildi Santo-Tomaswas in charge of your room,you would spend two days in straight terror with anxiety. The series launched two spin-offs,Trading Spaces: FamilyandTrading Spaces: Boys vs Girls, as well as helping launch the career ofTy Pennington, the eventual host ofExtreme Makeover: Home Edition. The series did get a mini-revival in 2018, but fans are still eager for more!
Trading Spaces
8’Jackass'
2000-2001 (MTV)
Even though the legacy ofJackasshas spanned decades, did you know that the original series only ran for 3 seasons on MTV? Once you get past the fact that we’ve spent years watching reruns of the same half-hour episodes, you’ll realize thatJackassdefined the aughts through the pain of laughing. The schadenfreude series followeda group of companions as they set out to inflict pain and embarrassment through stunt performances and pranks.
Led byJohnny Knoxville, the series featured other household names, includingBam MargeraandSteve-O. While the series only lasted a short time, it allowed the franchise tolaunch a handful of movies and televised specials. The legacy of the series continues on to today. Co-creatorJeff Tremainehasn’t ruled out moreJackassin film form.Jackasswasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it surely was informative of the aughts.
7’Big Brother'
2000-Present (CBS)
If you hear a booming baritone voice say, “Previously onBig Brother,” and immediately be transported to one of the three weekly episodes, you too, are aBig Brothersuperfan. As one of CBS’s big three reality series, Big Brother is the competition series that every reality superfan anticipated every summer. In fact, summer officially didn’t begin untilBig Brotherwelcomed their houseguests into the CBS studio lot. While the first season had a drastically different format than every season since,the uniqueness ofBig Brotherwas that it was presented in real time.And, even better, with live feeds! The series allowed superfans to dive head-first into the action as they had 24/7 access to the hundreds of cameras and microphones installed into the house.
Through a series of competitions for power, luxury, and safety, Big Brother established how silly and campy competition series can be, compared to its sister series.Hosted byJulie Chen-Moonves, since day one, her infamous, “Expect the unexpected,” has become the season’s quotable reality television catchphrase. The show has changed and evolved over the years, but the mechanics have firmly remained the same.Big Brotherhas been one of those reality series that established its own lingo. Some of which have seeped into other games. Nevertheless, if it’s summer, it’sBig Brother. The show did feature one winter-timed season, a pair of one-off spin-offs, and a celebrity edition. And still, it shows no signs of slowing down.
Big Brother
6’The Simple Life'
2003-2007 (FOX, E!)
For the most part, reality shows of the aughts focused on the lives of real people. That is until the networks discovered the impulse of allowing cameras to follow the lives of celebrities. While most docufollow shows captured a glimpse into the “everyday life” of the rich and famous, one showtook two famous faces and tasked them with doing menial things. Say hello toThe Simple Life.Paris HiltonandNicole Richiewere known as the aughts' biggest socialiteswho allowed cameras to capture them attempting to do everything from working on a farm to becoming employees at a fast food establishment.
The duo were the epitome of “bestie goals.” And, thanks toThe Simple Life, both women were launched into superstardom. Through its praise by its fans,The Simple Lifedid suffer the brunt of criticism about the genre in general. While it did try to maintain a tongue-in-cheek demeanor, some analyzed it as mocking classism. The show inspired a handful of international iterations, plus an unofficial spin-off competition,I Want To Be a Hilton, hosted byParis' mom,Kathy Hilton. Paris and Nicole did reunite in 2024 inParis & Nicole: The Encore. While it wasn’tThe Simple Life, it gave fans a moment to revel in a simpler time.
The Simple Life
5’The Obsournes'
2002-2005 (MTV)
“SHARON!” If you can hear that, it means you certainly are familiar withThe Osbournes. Unofficially the first family of reality television,The Osbourneswas one of the genre’s first forays into documenting the lives of celebrities. The series captured the domestic lives ofOzzy Osbourne, his wife,Sharon Osbourne, and two of his children,Kelly OsbourneandJack Osbourne. By the time MTV launched the series, the only other reality properties the network had were all from the same family:The Real World, Road Rules, and the eventually-titledThe Challenge. WithThe Osbourne, it changed the trajectory not only for docufollow series, but for what else MTV could do.
Had it not been forThe Osbournes, MTV would never have been able to have shows likeLaguna Beach, My Super Sweet Sixteen, andJersey Shore. Though Ozzy was the famous face of the family,the series allowed Sharon, Jack, and Kelly to forge their own pathsin the entertainment industry on a global scale. While many have thankedThe Osbournesfor their contributions to media, some might be cursing them as it was part of the ammunition that inspiredKeeping Up With the Kardashians. Nevertheless, when it comes to reality television families, no one quite did it likeThe Osbournes.
the osbournes
4’America’s Next Top Model'
2003-2018 (UPN, The CW, VH1)
You wanna be on top? Competition series were huge in the early days of reality television. Prior to the genre’s big boom, there had been many talent shows that focused on a variety of acts. But as networks vied for their shot at reality television glory, they began throwing anything and everything up against the wall by taking other talents, beyond singing, and giving them the competition treatment. The modeling industry is tough to begin with. Thanks toAmerica’s Next Top Model, it became even tougher.
Hosted and created by renowned supermodelTyra Banks,ANTMfollowed a group of aspiring models as they attempted to impress Banks and the illustrious panel of judges. Recruiting some of the industry’s most infamous experts, likeJanice Dickinson, Jay Manuel, andJ. Alexander,America’s Next Top Modelbecame a bona fide hit. Cycle after cycle, fans tuned in for the exceptional talent, all while awaiting Tyra Banks to go viral. Say it with me now:“I was rooting for you! We were all rooting for you!”
America’s Next Top Model
3’American Idol'
2002-Present (FOX, ABC)
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this. FOX had their moment after their very first shot at reality television! Singing competitions were nothing new, but in America at the start of the reality television boom, there wasn’t necessarily a high-stakes talent show on screen. So, FOX welcomedSimon Fullerand his concept ofPop Idolto the states where they createdAmerican Idol. The series was simple. An aspiring singer auditioned for a trio of industry veterans as they hoped to earn a chance to go to Hollywood where they ultimately could sing for the admiration of America.
The simple format would be replicated by nearly every talent showof its kind from this point forward. Why? BecauseAmerican Idolsuccessfully made superstars. Some say that a series can be made or broken by its first season. Suffice it to say, things would look quite different hadKelly Clarksonnot been the inaugural winner. While it would eventually be toned down over time, American Idol was known for not only acknowledging terrible auditions, but the fan base celebrating mediocrity. Remember the website Vote for the Worst? These were influencers before social media. On top of megastar contestants, American Idol was the gold standard of how to cast a judging panel. You had the mean one (Simon Cowell), the nice one (Paula Abdul), and the other one (Randy Jackson). All jokes aside, the influence American Idol has had has continued decades later. Very few American singing shows put out the stars thatAmerican Idolwas able to produce.
American Idol
2’The Amazing Race'
2001-Present (CBS)
What better way to see the world than a race for a million dollars! As one of the most decorated reality programs of all time,The Amazing Raceis the feel-good, family-friendly reality series that allowed its viewers the opportunity to see the world through the lens of a high-stakes race. Teams of two, comprised of family and friends, are forced to navigate the globe as they seek clues to reach each leg’s checkpoint. With an assortment of obstacles in the way, both created by the game and their own volition,The Amazing Racehas been a celebration of perseverance, determination, and the spirit of never giving up.Led byPhil Keoghan,The Amazing Racetruly has been able to provide an adventure of a lifetime for everyone who’s been able to participate.
Though the series did attempt one ill-fated family edition, The Amazing Race has stood strong by its format. Yes, new twists and turns were thrown in, but at its core was the cultural celebration through exploration. The Amazing Race also happened to be the series thatdebuted the concept of reality-television character crossover. Over the years, contestants from other CBS reality shows had their shot atThe Amazing Race, highlighting that just because you’ve been on TV before doesn’t mean you can win in the end.The Amazing Racesomehow continues to be the underdog in the discussion of incredible reality TV programs. Perhaps it’s because it doesn’t always provide water-cooler viral moments. But that’s what makes it special.The Amazing Raceis all about the heart.
The Amazing Race
1’Survivor'
“The tribe has spoken.“The final lineJeff Probstuttersas a castaway is voted out of the island. A line that was workshopped, but ultimately defined the exit line that every host attempted to capture for their eventual series. It’s just one of the many elements that helped makeSurvivora pioneer of the genre.Survivorprovided the concept of an alliance.Survivorproved that the obvious winner isn’t the best winner.Survivorset the tone for every reality strategy series, all while being one of the most brilliant and fascinating social experiments to ever be broadcast.
There is literally so much to say aboutSurvivorthat it could warrant its own top 10 list. And even then, determining the 10 reasons whySurvivoris the best of all time could spawn its own mini-lists. There is a reason whySurvivorcontinues to dominate week after week, thanks to its devoted fan base.Inching closer to its milestone 50th season,Survivorhas proven that even if the formula is the same, a slight tweak in the mechanics and a new cast each season illuminates the brilliance of the social strategy series.There’s a reason whySurvivorboasts “outwit, outplay, outlast” on its logo.Survivorhasn’t outlasted its competition. It’s allowed every series to come after to exist.
