Summary

  • Seasonally, reality TV shifts focus. The drama in top shows like Too Hot To Handle and The Family Stallone captivates.
  • Notable reality TV includes Selling Sunset and Love Is Blind. Don't miss the drama on Vanderpump Rules or The Ultimatum.
  • Shows like Below Deck, Survivor, and The Amazing Race are all airing weekly.

With so many options for viewers with varied interests, many have turned to reality TV as their main source of current entertainment. Streaming platforms offer a plethora of options, but reality TV encomes most of the options for shows that returned in the fall of 2023 amidst the strikes. While agreements have been made in Hollywood and regular programming has returned, reality TV is still a popular form of entertainment.

While there are various types of reality TV series year-round, things change seasonally for the reality landscape. For example, many series that air during the summer months tend to be more physical competitions, while series that air during fall are typically entertainment competitions. With shows moved around or stretched out to fill the empty fall TV season during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, things changed rapidly for reality TV. Which are the top shows to watch?

Too Hot To Handle

Watch on Netflix

A staple of the Netflix reality TV lineup, Too Hot To Handle brings a group of sexy singles to a beach villa for the surprise of a lifetime. Rather than a typical beach-side reality TV dating series, the singles are tricked and brought to the villa before they're told that they're not allowed to engage in any sexual activity. Faced with challenges and pushed to emotionally connect, THTH provides a true challenge. Hopefully, THTH season 6 will return soon.

The Family Stallone

Watch on Paramount+

Sylvester Stallone and his family posing together in The Family Stallone

An addition to the Paramount+ reality TV lineup, The Family Stallone follows famous actor Sylvester Stallone's family as they cope with their own lives in the shadow of his fame. Bringing an inside look at the actor's life as well as his daughters, Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlett Stallone, the series documents the day-to-day lives of the family. With an inside look at some never-before-seen parts of the famed actor's life, it feels like a must-watch.

Outlast

Watch on Netflix

Outlast Season 1 Cast

A Netflix reality competition series, Outlast puts its contestants against the elements. Dropped into the wilderness of Alaska without many rules, the cast of Outlast competed to be the last person standing in order to win $1 million. With the competition having found popularity on the streaming platform, Outlast season 2 feels like a definite possibility.

Physical 100

Watch on Netflix

Physical 100 contestants lined up side by side in a swimming pool. The water is waist-deep and they are all looking upwards, cheering for their opponents.

A South Korean competition series, Physical 100 brings a hundred of the most physically fit competitors in the country to see who is the picture of physical perfection. Working through some of the toughest challenges in reality TV history, the competitors get narrowed down episode by episode until there is only one person left standing. With an interesting cast and an in-depth look at the physical challenges, Physical 100 is a riveting look at true physical fitness.

Jewish Matchmaking

Watch on Netflix

A spin-off of the equally popular Indian Matchmaking, the Netflix series Jewish Matchmaking provides another spin on the age-old art. Following the matches of Aleeza Ben Shalom, Jewish Matchmaking shows the good and the bad sides of dating within the Jewish faith. With matches who work and matches who never want to see each other again, the cast runs the gamut throughout the fun and flirty series.

Selling Sunset

Watch on Netflix

An inside look at the luxury real estate industry in Los Angeles, Selling Sunset season 6 was recently released and made waves for Netflix. Starring Chrishell Stause, Mary Fitzgerald, Heather Rae El Moussa, and several other real estate agents at The Oppenheim Group, the show follows the personal and professional lives of the agents. With seven seasons to catch up on, the Netflix series is a great option to binge in order to get ready for Selling Sunset season 8, which will hopefully premiere sometime in 2024.

Love Is Blind

Watch on Netflix

Another Netflix series, Love Is Blind, has some of the juiciest drama on the streaming platform. The series asks if love is truly blind by asking contestants to form relationships with potential matches from behind a wall, never having seen their partner's physical appearance before deciding to get engaged. After meeting, the couples have to decide over the course of a few weeks if their relationship is something they want to continue in a marriage or if they want to break things off forever. With Love Is Blind season 7 next up, it's time to binge the whole show again.

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?

Watch On TLC

A long-running reality TV series, 90 Day Fiancé is a must-watch for most reality TV viewers. Couples who have begun relationships internationally are followed through the K-1 visa process, as the partner from outside the US moves to the country in order to marry their partner. The couples have 90 days from the visa holder's arrival to get married and must do their best to make things work in that timeframe. In this current spinoff, previous couples from the 90 Day Fiancé franchise detail their lives after getting married.

The Ultimatum

Watch on Netflix

Another Netflix staple, The Ultimatum has two different options: The Ultimatum: Marry Or Move On and The Ultimatum: Queer Love. The premises of both series are similar in that several couples are brought together because one partner has issued an ultimatum to the other, hoping for marriage or a similar commitment. The couples split up and try out trial marriages with parties from the other couples for a few weeks before moving back to their original couples to see if anything has changed in their relationship.

Below Deck

Watch On Bravo and Peacock

Below Deck has been a hit TV series since its inception, with series such as Below Deck Sailing Yacht and Below Deck Mediterranean following suit. While Below Deck season 11 features Captain Kerry Titheridge at the helm rather than long-time favorite Lee Rosbach, it's still a worthy watch. Airing on Mondays at 9 p.m. on Bravo, Below Deck is also available to watch on Peacock after its initial airing.

The drama on Below Deck is hotter than ever. During a recent episode, the St. David yacht faced the departure of two crew . Bosun Jared Woodin was fired by Captain Kerry due to unprofessional behavior, exacerbated by an incident involving alcohol and confrontation with other crew . Jared acknowledged his struggles and accepted his termination gracefully.

Additionally, Stew Cat Baugh chose to leave the ship after grappling with personal challenges throughout the season, citing mental health concerns. Chief Stew Fraser Olender ed Cat's decision, prioritizing her well-being over her role on the yacht. With everything going on, the season is definitely worth watching.