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.

This film, television or video-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it with reliably sourced additions.

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)
• An American Family (1973)
• The Family (1974) (UK)
• Sightings (1991)
• The Real World (1992)
• Sylvania Waters (1992) (Australia)
• The Living Soap (1993) (UK)
• Road Rules (1994)
• Airport (1996) (UK; BBC)
• Airline (UK; ITV's imitation of Airport)
• Airline
• Bug Juice (1998)
• True Life (1998)
• Gachinko! (ガチンコ!) (1999) (Japan)
• The Band-Josie 7 (2000) (Australia)
• Making the Band (2001)
• Project Greenlight (2001)
• Scariest Places On Earth (2001)
• U8TV: The Lofters (2001) (Canada; Life Network)
• Making the Band 2 (2002)
• The Salon (2002)
• Sorority Life (2002)
• American Chopper (2003)
• Fraternity Life (2003)
• Jamie's Kitchen (2003)
• 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)
• Dog Whisperer (2004)
• Family Plots (2004) (US; A&E Network)
• Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County (2004)
• Rachael Rocks (2004)
• Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (2004)
• Untold Stories of the E.R. (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)
• Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (2006)
• King of Cars (2006)
• Opening Soon
• The Real Housewives of Orange County (2006)
• Bullrun (2007)
• Deadline (2007)
• Ice Road Truckers (2007)
• Kate Plus 8 (2007)
• Kitchen Nightmares (2007)
• LA Ink (2007)
• Say Yes to the Dress (2007)
• 19 Kids and Counting (2008)
• Ax Men (2008)
• Chef School (2008)
• David Tutera's CELEBrations (2008)
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2008)
• The Real Housewives of New York City (2008)
• BBQ Pitmasters (2009)
• The Colony (2009) (US; Discovery)
• Full Throttle Saloon (2009) (US; TruTv)
• Jersey Shore (2009)
• Jockeys (2009) (US; Animal Planet)
• Pawn Stars (2009) (US)
• The Real Housewives of New Jersey (2009)
• Teen Mom (2009)
• Toddlers & Tiaras (2009)
• American Pickers (2010) (North America)
• American Restoration (2010) (US)
• Auction Hunters (2010) (North America)
• Boston Med (2010)
• Freshwater Blue (2010)
• The Generations Project (2010)
• Geordie Shore (2010) (UK)
• Half Pint Brawlers (2010)
• Hardcore Pawn (2010) (US)
• Jerseylicious (2010)
• Love & Hip Hop (2010)
• Bad Girls Club (2007) (US)
• Made in Chelsea (2010) (UK)
• Oddities (2010)
• The Only Way Is Essex (2010) (UK)
• The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (2010)
• The Real Housewives of D.C. (2010)
• The Real L-Word: Los Angeles (2010)
• Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta (2010)
• Sister Wives (2010)
• Throttle Junkies TV (2010)
• Bear Whisperer (2011)
• Braxton Family Values (2011)
• Dance Moms (2011)
• Me'usharot (2011) (Israel)
• Mob Wives (2011)
• The Real Housewives of Athens (2011)
• The Real Housewives of Miami (2011)
• Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids (2011)
• Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best (2011)
• Teen Mom 2 (2011)
• Breaking Amish (2012)
• Cheer Perfection (2012)
• Duck Dynasty (2012)
• Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (2012)
• NY Med (2012)
• Randy to the Rescue (2012)
• The Real Housewives of Vancouver (2012)
• Saw Dogs (2012)
• Turbine Cowboys (2012)
• Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (2012)
• Breaking Amish: Brave New World (2013)
• Fame In The Family (2013)
• Pretty Wicked Moms (2013)
• Les Vraies Housewives (2013) (France)
• Weed Country (2013)
• The Gossip Game (2013)
• Branson Famous (2014)
• Bring It! (2014)
• Chrisley Knows Best (2014)
• Escape Club (2014)
• Party Down South (2014)
• The Real Housewives of Melbourne (2014)
• Rich Kids of Beverly Hills (2014)
• Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood (2014)
• This Is Hot 97 (2014)
• Boston EMS (2015)
• Breaking Greenville (2015)
• The Real Housewives of Cheshire (2015)
• Save My Life: Boston Trauma (2015)
• Bringing Up Bates (2015)
• WAGS (2015)
• Dash Dolls (2015)
• My Life As A College Student (2015-) (UK; ITV)

Extraordinary people

• Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Real People (1979)
• That's Incredible! (1980)
• Guinness World Records Primetime (1998)

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; PBS)
• Pioneer Quest: A Year in the Real West (2000) (Canada)
• The 1940s House (2001) (UK)
• The Edwardian Country House aka Manor House (2002)
• Frontier House (2002) (US; PBS)
• Quest for the Bay (2002) (Canada)
• Schwarzwaldhaus 1902 (Blackforest House 1902) (2002) (Germany)
• The Ship (2002) (UK)
• Klondike: The Quest for Gold (2003) (Canada)
• Le Moyen 1903 2003 (Switzerland/TSR)
• That'll Teach 'Em (2003, 2004, 2006) (UK)
• Warrior Challenge (2003) (US)
• Colonial House (2004) (US; PBS)
• Infamous (2004, E!)
• Regency House Party (2004) (UK)
• Windstärke 8 - Das Auswandererschiff 1855 (Windstrength 8 - Immigration Ship of 1855) (2004/2005) (Germany)
• The Colony (2005) (Australia)
• Die Harte Schule der 50er Jahre (The Hard School of the 1950s) (2005) (Germany)
• MTV's The 70s House (2005)
• Outback House (2005) (Australia)
• Tales from the Green Valley (2005) (UK)
• Coal House (2007) (UK)
• Kid Nation (2007) (US)
• Coal House At War (2008) (UK)
• Victorian Farm (2009) (UK)
• Edwardian Farm (2010) (UK)
• Over the Rainbow (2010)
• Turn Back Time - The High Street (2010) (UK)
• Victorian Pharmacy (2010) (UK)
• Turn Back Time - The Family (2012) (UK)
• Wartime Farm (2012) (UK)
• Tudor Monastery Farm (2013) (UK)

Science

This genre documents scientific analysis or exploration firsthand.

• The Crocodile Hunter (1997) (The Discovery Channel)
• Mythbusters (2003) (The Discovery Channel)
• Human Wrecking Balls (2008) (G4)
• Doing DaVinci (2009) (The Discovery Channel)

Dating

In this genre, couples or singles are brought together in dating or romantic situations.

• Boer soek 'n vrou (South-Africa)
• Punch de Date (パンチDEデート) (1973) (Japan)
• Neruton Benikujiradan (ねるとん紅鯨団) (1987) (Japan)
• Ainori (あいのり) (1999) (Japan)
• Beija Sapo (Brazil) (2005-2007)
• Blind Date (US) (1999)
• Vai dar Namoro (Brazil) (2005)
• Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? (2000)
• The 5th Wheel (2001)
• Chains of Love (2001)
• 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)
  • The Bachelor (2003) (UK)
  • The Bachelor Canada (Fall 2012)
• 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)
• Boy Meets Boy (2004)
• Date My Mom (2004)
• The Littlest Groom (2004)
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé (2004)
• Outback Jack (2004)
• The Player (2004)
• Playing It Straight (US - 2004, UK - 2005)
• The Ultimate Love Test (2004) (US)
• Who Wants to Marry My Dad? (2004)
• Celebrity Love Island (2005) (UK)
• How to Get Lucky (2005) (UK)
• Next (2005)
• Shopping for Love (2005) (Australia)
• Strange Love (2005)
• 12 Corazones (2006)
• Chantelle's Dream Dates (2006) (UK)
• Estoy Por Tí (Spain)
• Flavor of Love (2006)
• I Love New York (2007)
• Matched in Manhattan (2006)
• Parental Control (2006)
• Age of Love (2007)
• MTV Splitsvilla (2007) (India)
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels (2007)
• A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila (2007)
• Momma's Boys (2008)
• Real Chance of Love (2008)
• Tough Love (2008)
• Transamerican Love Story (2008)
• When Spicy Meets Sweet (2008)
• Daisy of Love (2009)
• Dating in the Dark (2009)
• For the Love of Ray J (2009)
• Megan Wants a Millionaire (2009)
• More To Love (2009)
• [V] Lovenet (2010)
• Seducing Cindy (2010)
• Excused (2011)

Law enforcement, rescue, and military

• Police (1977)
• *Polícia 24h (2010) (Brazil)
• Unsolved Mysteries (1987)
• America's Most Wanted (1988)
• COPS (1989)
• Missing Reward (1989)
• Rescue 911 (1989)
• On Scene: Emergency Response (1990)
• Top Cops (1990)
• American Detective (1991)
• Emergency Call (1991)
• FBI: The Untold Stories (1991)
• Against All Odds (1992)
• Code 3 (1992)
• Secret Service (1992)
• Real Stories of the Highway Patrol (1993)
• To Serve and Protect (1993) (Canada)
• LAPD: Life On The Beat (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)
• Inside American Jail (2007)
• Jail (2007)
• DEA (2008)
• Police Women of Broward County (2009)
• Steven Seagal: Lawman (2009)
• Police Women of Dallas (2010)
• Police Women of Maricopa County (2010)
• Police Women of Memphis (2010)
• Coming Home (2011)
• Police Women of Cincinnati (2011)

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)
• Backyard Blitz (Australia) (2000)
• A Makeover Story (US) (2000)
• What Not to Wear (2001) (UK)
• What Not to Wear (US)
• The Block (2002) (Australia)
• Extreme Makeover (2002)
• Life Laundry (2002) (UK; house clearance)
• MTV's Made (2002)
• Monster Garage (2002) (US)
• Clean House (2003)
• Clean Sweep (2003)
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2003)
• How Clean Is Your House? (2003) (UK)
• Knock First (2003)
• Monster House (2003) (US)
• Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2003)
• Restoration (2003) (UK)
• Born Diva (Philippines) (2004)
• The Complex: Malibu (2004) (US)
• Dr. 90210 (2004) (US)
• Pimp My Ride (2004) (MTV, US)
• Style By Jury (Canada) (2004)
• The Swan (2004) (US)
• Town Haul (2004) (TLC, US)
• Trading Spaces: Home Free (2004)
• Queer Eye for the Straight Girl (2005) (US)
• Trinny & Susannah Undress (UK) (2006)
• The Renovators (Australia) (2011)
• Hotel Impossible (2012) (US)
• Botched (2014)
• DIY Rescue (Australia)
• The Hothouse (Australia)
• Location Location (Australia)
• Relationship Rehab (Style Network, US)
• Renovation Rescue (Australia)
• Trinny & Susannah Make Over America (US)

Lifestyle change

Here, ordinary people experience an extraordinary change in their environments or occupations.

• Girl Friday (1994) (UK)
• Castaway 2000 (2000) (UK)
• Shipwrecked (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)
• The Convent (2006) (UK)
• Shalom in the Home (2005) (US)
• Trust Me - I’m A Holiday Rep (2005) (UK)
• The Bad Girls Club (2006)
• Boys will be Girls (2006) (UK)
• Survival of the Richest (2006)
• Fat March (2007) (US)
• Charm School
  • Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School (2007) (US)
  • Rock of Love: Charm School (2008) (US)
  • Charm School with Ricki Lake (2009) (US)
• Tool Academy (2009) (US)
• The Great Norwegian Adventure (2010–2011) (Norway)
• Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (2010-2011)
• Intervention (US)
• Hoarders (US)
• The Reality of Anger Management (2014) (US)

Fantasies fulfilled

• Aswamedham (India)
• Thrill of a Lifetime (1982-88 & 2002) (Canada & USA)
• 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)
• Wish Ko Lang (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)
• Heartthrobs & Goldenstars (2002)
• Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica (2003)
• *NSYNC: The Best Life Ever (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)
• 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave (2004)
• Being Bobby Brown (2005)
• Britney and Kevin: Chaotic (2005)
• Filthy Rich - Cattle Drive (2005)
• The Girls Next Door (2005)
• Hogan Knows Best (2005)
• I Married a Princess (2005)
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2005)
• Meet the Barkers (2005)
• Run's House (2005)
• The Simple Life: Interns (2005)
• Tommy Lee Goes to College (2005)
• Totally Scott-Lee (2005) (UK)
• #1 Single (2006)
• Chantelle: Living the Dream (2006) (UK)
• Gene Simmons Family Jewels (2006)
• Girls Aloud: Off The Record (2006) (UK)
• House of Carters (2006)
• The Princes of Malibu (2006)
• Rob & Big (2006)
• Adventures in Hollyhood - Three Six Mafia (2006)
• The Hills (2006)
• The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency (2006)
• Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007)
• Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane (2007)
• Life of Ryan (2007)
• Snoop Dogg's Father Hood (2007)
• The City (2008)
• Flipping Out (2008)
• New York Goes to Hollywood (2008)
• Kourtney and Kim Take Miami (2009)
• New York Goes to Work (2009)
• Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business (2010)
• Frank the Entertainer in a Basement Affair (2010)
• Real and Chance: The Legend Hunters (2010)
• Audrina (2011)
• Ice Loves Coco (2011)
• Khloé & Lamar (2011)
• Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011)
• Son of a Gun (2011)
• Young Money Diaries (2011)
• Brynne: My Bedazzled Life (2012) (Australia)
• Married to Jonas (2012)
• Mrs. Eastwood & Company (2012)
• Snooki & Jwoww (2012)
• Chrissy & Mr. Jones (2012)
• Cassadee Pope: Frame by Frame (2013)
• One Direction: The Best Life Ever (2013)
• Total Divas (2013)
• Vanderpump Rules (2013)
• Christina Milian Turned Up (2014)
• Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons (2014)
• K. Michelle: My Life (2014)
• The Family Payne (2014)
• Niall Horan Crossed His Heart (2015)
• Jared & Miley (2015)
• I Am Cait (2015)
• Stewarts & Hamiltons (2015)
• I Love Kellie Pickler (2015)

Video cameras/hidden camera

This is 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)
• Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders (1984)
• TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes (1984)
• Beadle's About (1987) (UK)
• America's Funniest Home Videos, Penguins of Madagascar Edition (1989)
• America's Funniest People (1990)
• Tim Conway's Funny America (1990)
• Totally Hidden Video (1991)
• Impractical Jokers
• I Witness Video (1992)
• World's Funniest Videos (1996)
• Real TV (1996)
• The World's Funniest! (1997)
• World's Most Amazing Videos (1998)
• Cheaters (2000)
• Funny Flubs & Screw-Ups (2000)
• Maximum Exposure (2000)
• Trigger Happy TV (2000) (UK; launched comedian Dom Joly)
• Qué Locura (2001)
• 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)
• Fire Me...Please (2005)
• Hi-Jinks (2005)
• Boiling Points (US) MTV
• Just For Laughs Gags (Canada)
• Help Me (Minta Tolong) (Indonesia)
• Laugh Out Loud (LOL) (Philippines)

List of reality game shows/reality "playoffs"

main article: reality game show

This, the biggest and most successful reality genre, features contestants who compete for prizes, while often living together in close quarters. They usually feature the elimination 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)
• Fort Boyard (1990) (France)
• 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)
• The Challenge (formerly known as Real World/Road Rules Challenge) (1998)
• Susunu! Denpa Shōnen (進ぬ!電波少年) (1998–2002) (Japan)
• Big Brother (1999) (many countries)
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (1999) (many countries)
• Big Brother (2000) (UK)
• Big Brother (2000) (US)
• Big Brother (2002) (Brazil)
• The Mole (2000)
• Survivor (2000)
• The Amazing Race (2001)
• Boot Camp (2001)
• Cannonball Run 2001 (2001)
• Dog Eat Dog (2001) (UK)
• Fear Factor (2001)
• Lost (2001)
• Moolah Beach (2001)
• Murder in Small Town X (2001)
• Pilipinas, Game KNB? (2001) (dubbed as "the best Philippine game show")
• 100 Hours (2002) (New Zealand)
• Beg, Borrow & Deal (2002–2003)
• Endurance (2002) (US)
• I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (2002) (UK)
• I'm a Celebrity... US version (US)
• Model Flat (Fashion TV, 2002)
• Under One Roof (2002)
• Dog Eat Dog (2003) (US)
• Drop the Celebrity (2003) (UK)
• Celebrity Farm (2003)
• The Games (2003) (UK)
• Going Straight (2003) (New Zealand)
• Paradise Hotel (2003)
• Való Világ (2003) (Hungary)
• The Apprentice (2004)
• Back To Reality (2004) (UK)
• 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)
• Peking Express (2004) (BEL/NED)
• Quest USA, Da Tiao Zhan (2004) (US)
• Shattered (2004) (UK)
• Strictly Come Dancing (2004) (UK)
• Actuality TV's Casting Call (2005) (US)
• Beauty and the Geek (2005)
• Infinite Challenge (2005) (Korea)
• Pinoy Big Brother (2005) (Philippines)
• Vyvolení (2005) (Czech Republic, Slovakia)
• Deal or No Deal (2006) (many countries)
• Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands (2006) (UK)
• Solitary (2006) (US)
• Treasure Hunters (2006) (US)
• Ultimate Challenge (2006) (Pakistan's first adventure-based reality show)
• Unan1mous (2006) (US)
• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (2007) (many countries)
• Britain's Got Talent (2007) (UK)
• Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants (2007) (US)
• Pirate Master (2007) (US)
• Total Drama Island (2007) (Canada) (animated reality series)
• Celebrity Apprentice (2008)
• I Love Money (2008)
• I Survived a Japanese Game Show (2008) (US)
• Wipeout (2008) (US)
• 13: Fear Is Real (2009) (US)
• The Great American Road Trip (2009) (US)
• Spring Break Challenge (2010, US)
• Storage Wars (2010, US)
• Celebrity Splash! (2012) (many countries)
• Redneck Island (2012)
• Shipping Wars (2012, US)
• The Quantum Games (2014) (US)
• The Genius (2013) (Korea)
• Hollywood Game Night (2013) (US)
• King of the Nerds (2013) (US)
• Whodunnit? (2013 (US)
• The Quest (2014) (US)
• House of DVF (2014)
• Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge (2014)

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.

1940s premieres

• Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (1948)
• Original Amateur Hour (1948)

1950s premieres

• Eurovision Song Contest (1956) (EBU)
• Opportunity Knocks (1956) (UK)

1970s premieres

• Star Tanjō! (スター誕生!) (1971) (Japan)
• The Gong Show (1976)

1980s premieres

• Owarai Star Tanjō! (お笑いスター誕生!!) (1980) (Japan)
• Star Search (1980s)

1990s premieres

• Stars in Their Eyes (1990) (UK)
• Asayan (1995) (Japan)
• Popstars (New Zealand) (1999) (UK version launched bands Hear'Say and Liberty X)

2000s premieres

• Search for a Supermodel (Australia) (2000)
• Bands on the Run (2001)
• Idol
  • Pop Idol (2001-2003) (UK)
  • American Idol (2002)
    • American Juniors (2003)
  • Canadian Idol (2002)
  • Australian Idol (2003)
  • Philippine Idol (2006)
  • Pinoy Idol (2008)
• Model Behaviour (2001-2002) (UK)
• WWE Tough Enough
  • WWF/WWE Tough Enough (2001)
  • WWE Tough Enough 2 (2002)
  • WWE Tough Enough 3 (2003)
• La Academia (2002) (Mexico)
• Fame Academy (2002) (2003) (UK)
• Popstars: The Rivals (2002) (UK)
• Top Model
  • America's Next Top Model (2003)
  • 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
• The Simple Life (2003)
• Star Académie (2003) (France)
• StarStruck (2003) (Philippines)
• Surf Girls (2003)
• The Apprentice (2004-2007, US, NBC)
• The Assistant (2004)
• Bollywood Star (2004) (UK)
• Can You Be a Porn Star? (2004)
• The Contender (2004)
• Dancing with the Stars (2004) (many countries)
• Dream Job (2004)
• Dream Job II (2004)
• Get Gorgeous (2004) (India)
• Hell's Kitchen (2004 - UK, 2005 - US)
• Kings of Comedy (2004) (UK)
• Little Big Star (2005) (Philippines)
• Megasztár (2004) (2005) (2006) (Hungary)
• Next Action Star (2004)
• The Next Great Champ (2004)
• Pinoy Pop Superstar (2004) (Philippines)
• Popstars Live (2004) (Australia)
• Project Runway (2004) (US)
• The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best (2004)
• Star Circle Quest (2004) (Philippines)
• Strictly Come Dancing (2004) (UK)
• Super Singer (2004) (India)
• Wickedly Perfect (2004) (US)
• The X Factor (2004) (UK)
• Afghan Star (2005) (Afghanistan)
• 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) (many countries)
• Strictly Dance Fever (2005) (UK)
• The Ultimate Fighter (2005, USA, Spike)
• 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, USA, ESPN)
• The One: Making a Music Star (2006)
• Pinoy Dream Academy (2006) (Philippines)
• Rock Star: Supernova (2006)
• Skating With Celebrities (2006) (US)
• Soapstar Superstar (2006) (UK)
• Top Chef (2006)
• The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search (2006) (US)
• Who Wants to be a Superhero? (2006) (Sci-fi)
• America's Most Smartest Model (2007, US)
• Don't Forget the Lyrics! (2007) (many countries)
• Ego Trip's The "White" Rapper Show (2007)
• Grease: You're the One that I Want! (2007)
• The Next Iron Chef (2007, US, Food Network)
• Phenomenon (2007, US, NBC)
• Pussycat Dolls Present
  • The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll (2007)
  • The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (2008)
• The Shot (2007, US)
• The Singing Bee (2007) (US)
• America's Best Dance Crew (2008, US)
• Celebrity Bainisteoir (2008, Ireland)
• Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme (2008)
• Fáilte Towers (2008, Ireland)
• High School Musical: Get in the Picture (2008)
• I Know My Kid's a Star (2008)
• My Kid's a Star (2008)
• Redemption Song (2008)
• Scream Queens (2008)
• African Inventors & Innovators TV Program (2009-2014) (Nigeria)
• Local Live (2009) (Canada)
• Master Chef Australia (2009) (Australia)
• RuPaul's Drag Race (2009)
• Super Star K (2009) (Korea)

2010s premieres

• Bridalplasty (2010)
• Just Dance (2010) (India)
• Skating with the Stars (2010)
• Top Shot (2010) (North America)
• The X Factor (Sim) (2010) (Sim)
• America's Best Dance Crew (2011) (North America)
• Face Off (2011) (US)
• The Glee Project (2011)
• Live to Dance (2011) (North America)
• Project Accessory (2011)
• The Voice (2011) (North America)
• The X Factor (2011) (North America)
• Project Runway: All Stars (2012)
• The Voice Sim (2012) (Sim)
• TNA British Boot Camp (2013) (United Kingdom)
• Can You Beat the Professor (2014) (US)
• Idea to Industry (2014) (Nigeria)
• Project Runway: Threads (2014)
• Skin Wars (2014)
• Under the Gunn (2014)
• Nach Baliye 7 (2015) (India)
• WWE Tough Enough (2015)
• Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded (2015) (India)
• Dance Plus (2015) (India)
• D3 - D 4 Dance (2016) (India)

Spoofs

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 Schmoe 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 achieved.

• Victoria Wood As Seen On TV (1985) (UK)
• People Like Us (radio 1995, TV 1999) (UK)
• The Office (2001) (UK)
• Trailer Park Boys (2001) (Canada)
• Reno 911! (2003)
• Drawn Together (2004)
• The Comeback (2005)
• The Office (2005) (US)
• We Can Be Heroes: Finding The Australian of the Year (2005) (Australia)
• FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman (2006)
• Halfway Home (2007)
• Summer Heights High (2007) (Australia)
• Total Drama Island (2007) (Canada)
• Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice (2008) (UK)
• Rock Rivals (2008) (UK)
• Modern Family (2009)
• Parks and Recreation (2009)
• Warren the Ape (2010)
• Angry Boys (2011) (Australia)
• Parody Music Videos (2012) (UK)
• "Lemon La Vida Loca" (2012)
• Burning Love (2013) (web series)
• Ja'mie: Private School Girl (2013)
• Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013)

See also

• List of television show franchises

External links

• 13 Reality Shows We Really Wish We Were Making Up