The 15 Worst Reality TV Shows Ever Made

May 14th, 2008 by Wendy

Love them or hate ‘em, reality shows are here to stay – and growing in number each year, it seems. With the good come some downright terrible ideas, where it’s tough to understand how the idea ever got greenlit. I’m guessing alcohol was involved with most of these, our list of the 15 worst reality TV shows ever made.

15. Temptation Island (2001-2003)

Here’s one horrible reality show that actually got three seasons on TV. Four unmarried couples travel to an island where various temptations lure them from their relationships. Can the couples’ love for one another stand up to the distractions of hot guys and girls? It’s hard to remember in today’s climate where an abortion like “The Moment of Truth” can be presented without anyone blinking an eye, but Temptation Island was actually pretty controversial in its time. Pretty quaint, right?

14. The Real Housewives of Orange County (2006-present)

For some reason, people can’t get enough of this one? Super rich vapid housewives… who would think anyone would care?

13. Farmer Wants A Wife (2008)

This is one of those, “can’t believe someone got this on television” kind of shows. In Farmer Wants a Wife, a Missouri farmer is looking for love among 10 city girls – looking to see which lady will fall in love with both the farmer and the country livin’.

12. My Super Sweet 16 (2005 – present)

Here’s one of the worst reality show offenders, that literally everyone seems to hate, and yet it apparently manages to pull enough viewers to stay on the air. Do overprivileged teenagers really have such blown up birthday parties? And why do their parents shell out all that cash? This is the sort of thing you want to watch if you’re looking to get annoyed enough to pop a blood vessel.

11. Britney & Kevin: Chaotic (2005)

Bad, bad, bad. All around bad. This is basically where Britney finally got all the way over that shark she’d been jumping for a couple of years. Who would have guessed these two would break up?

10. Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire (2000)

Oh wow, remember this one? Who doesn’t want to get paired up with skeevy multi-millionaire Rick Rockwell and be married on the show? Maybe Darva Conger, who was the unlucky winner of this reality flop. The marriage was later annulled. And once again, its hard to remember but this was seriously huge news at the time it was aired.

9. The Littlest Groom (2004)

The Littlest Groom was a weak attempt at a stand out among dating shows — think The Bachelor – on a smaller scale. The wannabe groom had to look for his love match among fellow little people and women of average size.

8. My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé (2003)

This one was a doozy, with school teacher Randi Coy agreeing to play along with a fake wedding to slobbish fiancé Steve for a cash prize. Randi’s unsuspecting family bit their tongues and ended up with $100,000 each. Randi was awarded $500,000 for pulling it off and learning that her fiancé was actually an actor.

7. Who Wants To Marry My Dad (2003-2004)

What if you played matchmaker for your single dad? Would it be a successful reality show? Nope, not so much in this case either. The dad’s four grown children had to shop for a step-mommy among 12 ladies in one of the creepiest things to ever hit TV.

6. Boot Camp (2001)

Boot camp is rough, as this reality show proved. Rougher still was the lawsuit Mark Burnett slapped on the series for having a format similar to “Survivor.”

5. Forever Eden (2004)

Uh, yeah. A reality show without an ending. How dumb is that? Contestants who could stay longer, would earn more money – whether a few weeks or a few years. And how about that giant apple for the eviction ceremony?

4. Mr. Personality (2003)

The fact that this show was hosted by Monica Lewinsky should have been a huge red flag. One woman chooses her perfect mate – sight unseen, courtesy of dorky masks — by personality alone.

3. The Swan (2004)

Both morally reprehensible and downright awful, contestants on The Swan underwent life changing alterations to live up to the beauty standards set by society – which meant plenty of plastic surgery and medical improvements until they became beautiful – and unrecognizable.

2. Married by America (2003)

Who wouldn’t want to call in American Idol-style and vote for their favorite love match to be married on live television? This one’s as stupid as they come.

1. Armed & Famous (2007)

One of the worst reality shows just for the sheer ridiculousness of it, Armed and Famous put semi-famous celebrities on the streets as cops in Muncie, Indiana. This show actually resulted in a lawsuit being filed after a woman claimed her home was wrongfully entered as she was questioned about people she did not know. LaToya Jackson and Jack Osbourne were named in the suit. Sadly, one of the highlights of Armed and Famous was watching LaToya Jackson get tasered. Check the video below:

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66 Responses to “The 15 Worst Reality TV Shows Ever Made”

On May 14th 2008, KATHYJOLLY wrote:

I AM NOISEY I KNOW YOU ARE HERE IS SOME DIRT
On May 14th 2008, junior wrote:

i thought my big fat obnoxious fiance was funny.
On May 14th 2008, Valerie wrote:

No Paradise Hotel? WEAK.
On May 14th 2008, Mike wrote:

I actually got to do a pre-screen for Armed in Famous at MTV in Vegas…. the show looked terrible then, and I didn’t even know it ever made it to air!!
On May 14th 2008, CelebrityCatch.tv wrote:

I’m glad you put Swan in the list. I think it could have been in number 2 spot. The show is just unacceptable and pushes people to rather become unrecognizable than accept who they are.
On May 14th 2008, Paul Horne wrote:

Littlest Groom was great, and Big Fat Obnoxious was one of the all time best reality shows – sounds like the author never ever watched these shows.
On May 14th 2008, Suko wrote:

I’m kind of surprised that Boot Camp made your list. I actually it stood out as one of the best and was hoping for a second season.

Compare to, say “Who Wants to be a Superhero”.

Oh well.
On May 14th 2008, jbelkin wrote:

Think you forgot a bunch – the lie detector show is idiotic as was the one where they chained people together … there are at least 6 others you forgot.
On May 14th 2008, Ethan wrote:

Come on, no Are You HOT?

That had train wreck all over it. I don’t know how multiple people actually signed off on it without getting fired.
On May 15th 2008, Michael wrote:

“Farmer Wants A Wife” is a very famous show in Germany. Here it’s named “Bauer sucht Frau” … it’s stupid, but the people love the show
On May 15th 2008, Darren wrote:

What about “Who’s Your Daddy?” even though only the pilot episode was broadcast… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who's_Your_Daddy?_(TV_series)
On May 15th 2008, Kevin Farley wrote:

My wife and I loved Boot Camp! “Save the drama for your mama and PUSH”! We quote it to each other all the time. I thought it inspiring, fresh, and fun.
On May 15th 2008, Torris wrote:

The best thing about these shows was making up new names for them.

Paradise Island = Slut Whore Island
The Littlest Groom = Midgets in Love
Swan = Who Wants to Look Like a Tranny?
On May 15th 2008, Steve Grenuts wrote:

I don’t understand how a dating show with multiple Dr. Doom clones could be on this list. How is that not a great idea? All they had to do was change the name form Mr. Personality to ‘Who Wants to Marry a Megavillian?’. And apparently that’s where they went wrong *cough* *cough*
On May 15th 2008, Cliff wrote:

How did “Shot of Love” “Rock of Love” “Flavor of Love” “I Love New York” not make it onto that list? Cmon, these shows are awful to begin with, doubly awful when you find out theyre actually doing a sequel, isn’t the whole point of the show NOT to have a sequel?!
On May 15th 2008, William Hudgens wrote:

What about the “My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss”. It was on Fox back in 2004?
On May 15th 2008, CJ wrote:

Bachelorettes in Alaska? Hey Paula? Victoria Beckham: Coming to America? Charm School? Boy Meets Boy? (hey I’m all for a gay dating show, but not this one, the walking talking gay stereotype that it was), and most importantly, Laguna Beach and it’s spin offs? Those were/are terrible terrible reality shows.
On May 15th 2008, b1ck wrote:

These were all pretty retarded, cannot forget about Flavor of love, Tila tequila – shot at love, thats amore….like do people seriously watch this shit?
On May 15th 2008, Randy wrote:

What about I Want to be a Hilton?
On May 15th 2008, Jimbo Jones wrote:

my supersweet 16 is an excuse to show 15/16 year old pussy (BOOYAH!)without having a show called “16 year old pussy”
On May 15th 2008, tony wrote:

no Amish in the City???!!!!
On May 15th 2008, Ben wrote:

I thought MBFO Fiance was was extremely funny and enjoyable to watch and should be on a ’15 BEST Reality Tv Shows’ list. Did the author even watch it?

The follow-up MBFO Boss was not as good but it was still a must-tune-in kind of show for me. Very enjoyable.
On May 15th 2008, Mark wrote:

I liked Britney & Kevin … scratch Kevin. It was quite interesting.
On May 17th 2008, Matt wrote:

“There’s something about Miriam”? Creepiest one ever.
On May 20th 2008, Vince wrote:

I agree with this list, all of these shows were pretty ridiculous. They are just put out to make a few dollars. Some may be worth watching but they need to stop making so many of these shows.

Most of these shows are not reality just real people. I remember the days when the only reality shows were MTV’s Real World now theres so much out there I don’t know how people have the time to watch them all. Tivo I guess.

They need to focus on making decent sitcoms and television shows and get rid of all this reality madness.
On June 13th 2008, leggylove wrote:

YES! Armed & Famous!!!

Haha, has anyone seen WeeMan on Celebrity Circus? Between him and Christopher Knight (who also happens to be on Celebrity Circus) they have to win the award for being on the most reality shows.

but I love it
On June 15th 2008, Joey Scott wrote:

CELEBRITY CIRCUS – Watch it!! You have to experience the Wee Man – NBC Weds at 9:30 PM – you will not be disappointed. Truly an experience…not to be included on this list…
On October 23rd 2008, fuzz wrote:

what about i love new york
and falvor of love
ahh and all vh1
On October 27th 2008, JD wrote:

It’s about time you got this right!! I agree with this list!!!
On November 15th 2008, Amy L wrote:

Is the fiance from MBFO Fiance the guy who plays Joe on Grey’s Anatomy?
On November 23rd 2008, Joey Fiero wrote:

REALITY SHOWS THE DEATH OF CREATIVE TALENT – A brief project on the cause and effect of Reality Shows and what these types of shows and network executives have done to actors, writers, directors and producers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHc7olk3LhE
On January 2nd 2009, Sunita wrote:

Your have selected worst reality tv shows ever made,but people are addicted to tv shows.They can watch even boring and useless programs.Some sensible and nice reality tv shows got people’s affection also.
On February 5th 2009, colleen torres wrote:

hey why not do a show on eastside custom choppers.a real drama o so much drama.3 brothers,and 2 of them have wives.and some extra bagage.we also own a bar reasturant rt across from each other,want to talk about real reality,come visit us at eastside,u will want to watch u all day.
On April 18th 2009, Gunjo wrote:

No BROMANCE?? over here in jamaica BRomance is well known and everybody loves it but when i check it out, the dudes act a little bit gay…. i mean crying on each-other’s shoulders….
and hugging bare skinned and sweaty… enough details but oh weeds that show is gay.
On April 21st 2009, bart4u wrote:

The worst show was Living Lohan. Talk about white trash
On May 26th 2009, Chaka wrote:

The Real Housewives of Orange county should have never made the list…they are the realist…they are all actually married,have careers and look the best…I love you vicky!!!
On June 1st 2009, kevin knapp wrote:

get rid of all of this reality crap and start making good tv shows again.i cant understand how moronic you have to be to watch this contrived garbage….only in amerka!!!!!!!!
On June 2nd 2009, John Q Public wrote:

East Side Choppers reality show??? Aren’t there enough scumbags on TV? Sure two brothers have wives. They also screw everything that comes their way! And for a small amount of cocain, their wives will screw you too! Along with the slut the youngest brother is stuck with!
Why have another show about white trash with no morals? We already have Jerry Springer!

Check out the latest on the Cyril Hughes Blog:

Well, what goes around comes around. The Feds appear to be on a roll…the same thing is currently happening to Eastside Custom Choppers in Newburgh NY. It appears that they are being nailed for insurance fraud and selling stolen parts. Don’t have all of the details but based on ECCs reputation (if you want to call it that), it’s only more of the same that they have been doing for years……taking money from customers for new builds only to use the $$$ to finish up old builds. Apparently, they defrauded an insurance company on repairs and then put a stolen engine in the same bike to replace what they said was bad from the accident. So far, their homes, new building and family business have foreclosures against them.
As with Miyler, the Torres’s are finally being nailed and are going to pay big time. It looks like Orange County Choppers will have one less competitor in their backyard……..but whose counting.

Apparently they’ve burned every bridge and screwed over every person the could in New York.Now the latest is they’re closing their “moto mall” (a term VERY loosely used) and moving to Florida to see who they can bilk out of their money down there.
Good Ridance to the Three Stooges
On September 15th 2009, aloha john wrote:

At least those shows had skin.
Operation Repo has the worse “re-enactments” with the same tired fake public idiots getting their vehicle repo’d. And the bald wrestling dude, fat egly sister all trying too hard. How much money are you saving Tri TV by hiring these hacks?
On February 3rd 2010, CK wrote:

REALITY TV,SOAP ,IS DAMAGING ALL CHILDREN
BRAINS, WE DO NOT NEED THIS CRAP.
On February 4th 2010, riceroni wrote:

I can’t believe “I Want To Be A Hilton” didn’t make this list. That was the most retarded reality show to end all reality shows.
On February 7th 2010, Francis Lightfoot Lee wrote:

nice theme
On February 7th 2010, Ivan wrote:

who invented wordpress ?
On May 4th 2010, stuart ransome wrote:

DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE WORSE. HE LOOKS LIKE A OLD WASHED UP DRUNK.A FAKE WANNA BE RETIRED WRESTLER.WHATS UP WITH ALL THAT COSTUME JEWELRY
On May 21st 2010, CHELSEA wrote:

absolute worst… would be… shot at love with tila tequila. well, it was the worst until DOUBLE shot at love came out
On June 11th 2010, Diana wrote:

What about Toddlers&Tiaras? That show disgusts me..
On October 8th 2010, J-dog wrote:

Where’s CUPID? Married by America is no. 2, but you leave off the Simon Cowell creepfest where they attempted to marry off a gorgeous young woman to a bunch of d-bags while her catty friends commented?

I also think MBFO Fiance was hilarious meta-comedy in the same vein as Joe Millionaire and the Joe Schmo Show.
On October 17th 2010, callie wrote:

CUPID and He’s a lady were both terrible. All dating shows are awful.
On October 17th 2010, charles sanford wrote:

Don’t forget “Being Bobby Brown” and “Breaking Bonodoche” , two of the most disturbing and sad reality shows ever done.
On October 18th 2010, KrispyKremeDude wrote:

Personally, I think the idea of Tom Sizemore having a reality show is as mindboggling as any show mentioned on here. It lasted only 8 episodes. Big surprise. Who wants to watch a drunk B-listed actor to begin with? Obviously nobody. Who ever green-lighted that should never show their face in Hollywood ever again!!!!
On November 29th 2010, SueD57 wrote:

You missed one – Sarah Palin’s Alaska. Oh, you missed another one – Kate Plus 8 and the original Jon & Kate Plus 8. What on earth makes people think that I want to pay for cable TV so that I can watch someone else’s family go through their daily routine? Who cares about either of these families? The wretched spoiled little brats in Kate Plus 8 are just getting older and more greedy and intolerable.
On December 6th 2010, Vidar wrote:

“The Bachelor Pad”. It just can’t get any worse.
On December 7th 2010, Mike Weinraub wrote:

I thought that My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance was a really funny show. One thing that I liked about it was that it made fun of reality shows. The lead guy was great, he really made me laugh.
On January 6th 2011, pikachuFL wrote:

My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance was hilarious! I certainly wouldn’t include it in a list of worst reality shows. I can think of a whole bunch worse reality shows. I absolutely agree that Temptation Island, Forever Eden, Littlest Groom, Farmer Wants a Wife, and the Swan belong here. I haven’t watched many of the other shows so I can’t comment on them.
On January 6th 2011, Don Sieger wrote:

Reality shows have ruined TV. Anybody that tunes into this crap would have to be a brain-dead idiot! The whole TV industry needs a complete overhaul, with the exception of about four good hi-quality channels, it’s a bunch of garbage! The violence is terrible…send ‘em to Mexico, where they can battle it out with real terrorists and hoodlums. And while you’re at it clean up your filthy language… It’s no wonder many of America’s young people have no respect and some of them go on shooting sprees. It’s disgusting!
On January 6th 2011, Judy Rodrigues wrote:

What??!! No “Joe Millionaire” that was the most obnoxious show ever!!!!!
On January 6th 2011, Jaygirl wrote:

Correction: Paradise Island was the worst.
On January 6th 2011, Ronnie wrote:

#1 Operation Repo (worse show on tv)
#2 Jon and kate plus stupidity
#3 House of Payne (Glorifys the perception of stupid angry black people)
#4 Dog The Bounty Hunter and his idiot family(babs hasn’t seen her kneecaps since ’75)
#5 90% of TLC (the losers channel)
#6 95% of the Fox programs
On January 6th 2011, betty wrote:

I dislike ALL reality shows – wish they would all be discontinued and replaced with something interesting – there are very few really good shows on TV now – of course 2 1/2 men is sensational – the Criminal Intent shows, but we need Gunsmoke(something like that), Nash Bridges, Walker Texas Ranger, Matlock – you get the idea – just trash the reality shows. Thank you.
On January 6th 2011, Light-Rail Coyote wrote:

Who in the hell would ever want to be Bobby Brown???
On April 1st 2011, valarie wrote:

All these shows are foolish. Everyone sais where in a recession but yet, networks pay people with no talent to act like fools on national tv. Im a college educated women and im out of work. I look for jobs all the time and I can’t find one. I wish someone would offer me millions of dollars to act like a bafoon on live television.
On April 30th 2011, Tom wrote:

I know this is old but i think that new show Dont scare the hare is the worst ever and also Sing if you can they arnt lying when they say reality tv is getting worse
On June 3rd 2011, Bruce wrote:

I think that all reality shows should stay in the world they came from and stay off the tv and make room for good shows that are realy intertaining.
On June 3rd 2011, Driftmom wrote:

Worst idea ever in TV programming?
Reality shows!
On September 26th 2011, grant wrote:

All reality tv should never of made it to air
On September 26th 2011, grant wrote:

all reality tv should be canceled