Reality TV gained popularity worldwide in the 90s and early 2000s with shows like Big Brother, Survivor and American Idol paving the way for franchises. The appeal of reality TV lies in how viewers can connect with the show's concepts and the stories of the people involved.
While there have been shows in recent years that have surpassed previous achievements, some of these newer shows can be seen as outliers or oddballs. To put it simply they probably should never have existed. However considering that they were part of reality TVs stages it's understandable why they are viewed unfavorably today.
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Cheaters (Syndicated, 2000 - 2021)
One example is "Cheaters," a syndicated reality TV series that premiered on October 2 2000. This show delves into emotions, Drama and intrigue as one person in a couple plans to catch their cheating partner with the assistance of the "Cheaters Detective Agency." Each episode begins with the person who suspects their partner narrating their relationship history before explaining why they believe their partner is being unfaithful. Throughout days private investigators from Cheaters. Gather evidence against the suspected cheater. If there is evidence a situation is arranged where the person making the complaint catches their partner in the act. Besides being quite distasteful these confrontations often spiral out of control with the host Joey Greco being stabbed in one of the episodes.
Born In The Wild (Lifetime, 2015)
This reality TV series is truly one of the ones ever to grace our screens. It premiered on Lifetime in 2015. Showcases families who take their love for nature to levels by opting for unassisted outdoor births free from modern medical assistance or technology. Not surprisingly this show faced criticism from experts who highlighted the significantly higher infant mortality rates associated with such birthing experiences.
However what made this show more unsettling was the suspense it created among viewers as they wondered if both the mother and her newborn would make it through safely. It's difficult to comprehend what the creators of this series were thinking let alone understand how it received approval for television airing.
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House Of Carters (E!, 2006)
House of Carters seemed pointless right, from the start. However the idea of getting up personal with Nick Carter, a member of the Backstreet Boys and his younger pop star brother Aaron Carter created a lot of excitement among fans who genuinely looked forward to the show. Eventually it premiered on E! on October 1 2006. Viewers saw the Carters for who they were – a dysfunctional and uninteresting group.
The show centered around five adult siblings – Nick (26) Aaron (18) Leslie (20) Angel (18) and Bobbie Jean (24) – living together under one roof as they tried to figure out their plans. However what unfolded was a series of fights and an unfortunate willingness to showcase their struggles with substance abuse in front of the eye. It didn't come as a surprise when EW reported that the show was canceled after eight episodes.
Next (MTV, 2005 - 2008)
It's quite shocking how MTV managed to stretch Next into six seasons considering it was a failure. The show featured dates crammed into an RV known as the Next Bus with each person having an opportunity to go on a date, with the contestant. The twist was that all it took for the contestant to end the date was simply shouting "Next."What's more significant is that the contestants received rewards for every minute they spent with the main contestant before being eliminated. In the end the winning contestant is offered a choice, between taking the cash prize or going on a date. It became evident quickly that this show was poorly planned, as most contestants opted for the money.
Skating With Celebrities (Fox, 2006)
Although it was clear what the producers intended with this concept, Skating With Celebrities was ultimately an executed show that never should have been made. Following the success of Dancing With The Stars, which premiered on ABC in 2005 someone at Fox seemingly thought it would be an idea to put a spin on things and create a figure skating version of the show. However it lacked substance. Failed to provide any entertainment value. The show demonstrated the risk of adopting a copycat approach, in the entertainment industry particularly when it comes to reality TV content. Skating With Celebrities only lasted for one season before Fox decided to cancel it.
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