Underrated TV Reality Shows That Deserve More Credit

Sometimes, audiences crave the excitement of unscripted television. It’s far more thrilling to follow real people facing genuine challenges than watching actors go through a predetermined storyline. After all, how gripping can the action be when everyone already knows how it will end? Reality TV offers viewers a chance to immerse themselves in the unscripted drama of ordinary lives, transforming them from mere spectators to active participants in the unfolding narrative.

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But with the plethora of reality TV shows out there, which ones truly stand out? While some shows dominate water cooler conversations the next day, others fly under the radar, offering equally enjoyable content. Here, we spotlight some hidden gems in the vast quarry of reality TV.

The Diverse World of Underrated Reality TV

15 ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ (2015-)

4 Seasons

From the creators of “The Great British Bake Off” comes a pottery competition that celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of ceramics. “The Great Pottery Throw Down” brings together passionate potters who compete in various challenges to showcase their skills in molding clay into beautiful and functional pieces of art. The show not only highlights the technical aspects of pottery but also delves into the personal stories and creative processes of the contestants.

The Great Pottery Throw Down

Release Date: November 3, 2015
Creator: Love Productions
Cast: Keith Brymer Jones, Sara Cox
Seasons: 4
Watch on HBO Max

14 ‘Nailed It!’ (2018-)

6 Seasons

“Nailed It!” takes baking competitions to a hilarious new level by featuring amateur bakers attempting to recreate intricate pastry and cake designs. The twist? These contestants are far from professional chefs, resulting in comically disastrous outcomes that are both endearing and entertaining. Hosted by Nicole Byer and renowned chocolatier Jacques Torres, the show celebrates baking failures as much as successes, making it a delightful watch for anyone who enjoys a good laugh.

Nailed It!

Release Date: March 9, 2018
Creator: Magical Elves Productions
Cast: Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres
Seasons: 6
Watch on Netflix

13 ‘Street Outlaws’ (2013-)

18 Seasons

“Street Outlaws” dives deep into the underground world of street racing, where fearless drivers compete for bragging rights and cash prizes in high-stakes races. Set in cities across America, the show follows these adrenaline junkies as they customize their cars and push them to the limit in exhilarating drag races. With its intense rivalries and jaw-dropping speeds, “Street Outlaws” offers an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride for automotive enthusiasts and reality TV fans alike.

Street Outlaws

Release Date: June 10, 2013
Creator: Pilgrim Studios
Cast: Justin Shearer, Shawn Ellington, David Comstock
Seasons: 18
Watch on Discovery Channel

12 ‘Making It’ (2018-)

3 Seasons

“Making It” celebrates the art of crafting and DIY creativity as contestants showcase their skills in a series of themed challenges. Hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, the show combines humor with heartwarming moments as makers from diverse backgrounds compete to impress the judges with their handmade creations. From woodworking to textile artistry, “Making It” inspires viewers to embrace their creativity and appreciate the beauty of handmade craftsmanship.

Making It

Release Date: July 31, 2018
Creator: Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman
Cast: Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman
Seasons: 3
Watch on NBC

11 ‘MythBusters’ (2003-2018)

20 Seasons

“MythBusters” is a groundbreaking science entertainment TV program that tested the validity of various myths, urban legends, and rumors using scientific methods. Hosted by Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, the show became known for its spectacular experiments, quirky humor, and educational value. Spanning 20 seasons, “MythBusters” remains a beloved series that continues to inspire curiosity and critical thinking among viewers of all ages.

MythBusters

Release Date: January 23, 2003
Creators: Peter Rees
Cast: Jamie Hyneman, Adam Savage
Seasons: 20
Watch on Discovery Channel

10 ‘Swamp People’ (2010-)

15 Seasons

The United States is a diverse and multifaceted nation with many subcultures coexisting within it. One such subculture is that of residents in Louisiana’s bayous. Among the watery regions of the southern state, a group of people earn their living by hunting alligators, snakes, and other creatures. The show follows their misadventures through climate change, social pressures, and encounters with dangerous wildlife.

“Swamp People” is a great show to familiarize audiences with a region of America that is largely overlooked. Heavily influenced by French settlers, accents spoken on the show often require the use of subtitles. The family drama and nuances of navigating isolation and social situations make it a compelling watch.

Swamp People

Release Date: August 22, 2010
Creator: Dolores Gavin
Cast: Pat Duke, Bruce Mitchell, Jacob Landry, Troy Landry, William Edwards, Chase Landry
Seasons: 15

9 ‘Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet’ (2014-)

12 Seasons

Being a doctor with unruly patients is challenging enough, but when those patients are large, stubborn-willed animals separated by hundreds of miles and brutal weather conditions, the challenge intensifies. Such obstacles don’t daunt veterinarian Dr. Michelle Oakley in “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet.”

Not only is Dr. Oakley a talented and compassionate animal doctor, but she is also a great on-camera personality. The show garnered two spin-off series: “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet: Northern Disclosure” and “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet: Northern Lites.” With a grand total of 17 seasons (more than “Seinfeld” and “Friends”), it is definitely worth adding to your must-binge list.

8 ‘Love on the Spectrum’ (2019-2021)

2 Seasons

A 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is both coveted and rare. “Love on the Spectrum” has earned this accolade by providing the most sincere and touchingly vulnerable love-finding reality series ever to be broadcast. The show follows individuals on the Autism spectrum as they navigate the complexities of dating.

Unlike other dating shows that feature backstabbing, manipulation, and lies, “Love on the Spectrum” showcases caring, honest, and genuine individuals on their quests to find a romantic partner. Audiences can’t help but get wrapped up in their exploits, experiencing the joys and heartbreaks as if they were close personal friends. The production team seems to care deeply for the participants, treating them with respect and sensitivity.

Love on the Spectrum

Release Date: July 22, 2020
Creator: Cian O’Clery
Cast: Brooke Satchwell, Michael Theo, Mark Radburn, Ronan Soussa
Seasons: 2

7 ‘Forged in Fire’ (2015-)

11 Seasons

Where weaponry meets artistry is where “Forged in Fire” begins. A competition show that has some of the best bladesmiths in the country competing against each other, it boasts 11 seasons and five spin-off shows. Viewers can watch as contestants battle it out to create winning versions of historical and fictional swords and weapons. Watching the steel being molded and hammered into a new creation is akin to alchemy and fascinating to witness.

The show’s judges—J. Nielson, Doug Marcaida, Ben Abbott, and David Lain Baker—are charismatic onscreen personalities who add to the show’s watchability. After the blades are fashioned, they are put through three different types of tests measuring the weapons’ strength, sharpness, and efficiency to kill. As judge Doug Marcaida performs the kill test with enthusiasm and quips his famous tagline of “It will kill,” many contestants have said it is reward enough to hear him bestow that distinction on their work.

6 ‘We Are the Champions’

1 Season

Can you be the best at chasing cheese down a cliffside? How about taking hairdos to new heights? The Netflix series “We Are the Champions” certainly thinks so. Although the series only has one season streaming so far, it is well worth the watch to get a glimpse into some of the most unique competitions that take place around the world.

The intriguing show follows competitors as they use skill, luck, and pure determination to be the best in their chosen fields. It proves that the sweet taste of victory and the agony of defeat hit just as hard whether you’re competing in a well-known contest or an obscure one.

5 ‘Win the Wilderness’ (2020)

1 Season

What would you do to win the home of your dreams? How about flying halfway around the world and competing in a wilderness challenge? That is what six British couples did on the TV show “Win the Wilderness.” However, the home they were competing to win was not an average suburban complex; it was a rustic and impressive hand-built cabin located deep within the Alaskan wilderness.

Contestants on the show faced challenges set by the builders and current owners of the property, dubbed “Ose Mountain,” Duane and Rena Ose. The challenges were meant to give the couples a taste of what life was like on the remote Alaskan property. All of the people on the show seemed very genuine and honest, and it is interesting to learn how remote homesteaders live away from modern conveniences.

4 ‘Blown Away’ (2019-)

4 Seasons

Watching the immensely skilled glassmakers on the Netflix series “Blown Away,” it is easy to be impressed, as the title suggests. Amidst sweltering heat, fiery furnaces, and broken glass, the competitors manage to create some of the most beautiful and intricate pieces of glasswork ever seen in modern times.

Glass proves to be a temperamental and unpredictable medium. Audiences will not only appreciate the visually pleasing pieces that are created but will also sympathize with the contestants as a product they have spent all day assembling shatters in an instant. The unpredictability and unique medium chosen to create the artwork make “Blown Away” a competition show like no other. It has instant gratification every episode and an accumulation of satisfaction at each season’s conclusion.

Blown Away

Release Date: February 20, 2019
Cast: Bobby Berk
Creator: Ron Carroll, Amy Hosking
Seasons: 4

3 ‘Alone’ (2015-)

11 Seasons

Although “Survivor” is synonymous with survival competition shows, it is now common knowledge how scripted and manipulated by producers the supposed “reality” TV show is. Enter, History’s “Alone.” On “Alone,” there are no production crews, no hosts, no sets, no bright lights, and no one else. Contestants are dropped off in the wilderness all by themselves with one or two cameras to film their trials, surviving as long as they can without help.

The rules seem very simple: outlast everybody else. But left alone outdoors with no modern comforts, having to build their own shelters, hunt and kill their own food, and keep themselves from going insane with isolation, many on the show have bowed out long before they ever imagined they would, some within 24 hours. Audiences will find themselves rooting for favorites and fearing for the safety of all involved as weather, wildlife, and the unknown wreak havoc on any person trying to live in the wilderness, alone.

Alone

Release Date: June 18, 2015
Cast: Nicole Apelian, Sam Larson, Brooke Whipple, Brad Richardson, Jesse Bosdell, Dave Nessia, Carleigh Fairchild, Britt Ahart
Main Genre: Reality
Seasons: 11

2 ‘Joe and Katherine’s Bargain Holidays’ (2024-)

1 Season

Traveling after COVID-19 is precious, but it is also expensive. Having been on lockdown for so long, many people are seizing the opportunity to explore and visit destinations they’ve always wanted to. But traveling on a budget can be a challenge. Luckily, there is “Joe and Katherine’s Bargain Holidays” to the rescue. The series follows comedians Joe Wilkinson and Katherine Ryan as they take in all sorts of sights and experiences around Europe, all while keeping tight on the purse strings.

The odd couple of Wilkinson and Ryan make for great comedy TV. Ryan’s more refined taste and love of luxury, juxtaposed with Wilkinson’s dedication to thriftiness, ensures that many hijinks are had as they haggle prices and find accommodations in some unlikely places. A night’s stay in an abandoned church, anyone?

1 ‘Travel Man: 48 Hours In…’ (2015-)

10 Seasons

The dry, awkward humor of comedian and host Richard Ayoade provides the perfect canvas for the Channel 4 series “Travel Man: 48 Hours In…”. Ayoade travels the globe with a different celebrity companion in each episode. They explore historical sites, take in local entertainment, and may even visit a spa or two.

It is infinitely enjoyable to see celebrities out of their element. Watching famous actors and comedians endure traveling with Ayoade to eclectic tourist traps makes the rewatchability of the series superb. It may even prove to be informational if an audience member plans to visit one of the many destinations featured in the show. Whatever the motivation for watching, the 10 seasons are a hilarious binge-watch and deserve a little more love.

Travel Man: 48 Hours In…

Release Date: March 30, 2015
Cast: Richard Ayoade
Seasons: 10

Why These Underrated Reality Shows Deserve More Attention

The Appeal of Unscripted Drama

One of the main reasons people are drawn to reality TV is the authenticity it brings. Unlike scripted shows, reality TV offers a glimpse into real-life situations, showcasing genuine emotions and reactions. This raw, unscripted drama can be more captivating and relatable than fictional storylines.

Highlighting Unique Cultures and Lifestyles

Shows like “Swamp People” and “Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet” introduce viewers to unique cultures and lifestyles that they might not otherwise encounter. These shows offer a window into the lives of people living in vastly different environments, from the swamps of Louisiana to the rugged terrain of the Yukon.

Showcasing Unusual Talents and Competitions

Series like “Forged in Fire,” “We Are the Champions,” and “Blown Away” highlight unusual talents and competitions. Whether it’s crafting intricate glasswork, forging powerful weapons, or participating in quirky competitions, these shows celebrate human creativity and perseverance in unique ways.

Providing Genuine Human Connections

“Love on the Spectrum” and “Win the Wilderness” stand out for their focus on genuine human connections. Whether it’s exploring the challenges and triumphs of dating on the autism spectrum or competing for a remote Alaskan homestead, these shows offer heartfelt stories that resonate with viewers.

Offering Affordable Travel Insights

In the post-COVID-19 world, travel shows like “Joe and Katherine’s Bargain Holidays” and “Travel Man: 48 Hours In…” provide valuable insights into affordable travel. These shows combine humor with practical advice, making them both entertaining and informative for viewers looking to explore new destinations without breaking the bank.

The Future of Underrated Reality Shows

As the landscape of television continues to evolve, there is hope that these underrated reality shows will gain the recognition they deserve. With streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ making these shows more accessible, there is potential for a wider audience to discover and appreciate the diverse range of content that reality TV has to offer.

Expanding Access and Visibility

One of the key factors in bringing more attention to these underrated reality shows is expanding access and visibility. By promoting these shows on popular streaming platforms and through social media, more viewers can discover the unique and compelling stories they have to offer.

Encouraging Viewer Engagement

Viewer engagement is crucial in elevating the status of underrated reality shows. Encouraging audiences to share their favorite moments, discuss the shows on social media, and leave reviews can help create a buzz and attract new viewers.

Highlighting Positive Representation

Many of these underrated reality shows excel in highlighting positive representation of diverse cultures, talents, and lifestyles. By emphasizing the importance of these shows in promoting inclusivity and understanding, they can gain more support and recognition.

Conclusion

In the vast and varied landscape of reality TV, there are many hidden gems that deserve more love and attention. From the swamps of Louisiana to the wilds of the Yukon, from the intricacies of glassblowing to the heartfelt journeys of those on the autism spectrum, these shows offer a wealth of entertainment, education, and inspiration. By shining a spotlight on these underrated reality shows, we can appreciate the rich history of human experiences they bring to our screens. So, the next time you’re looking for something new to binge-watch, consider giving one of these underrated reality shows a chance—you might just discover your new favorite series.