The 20 most iconic & groundbreaking reality TV shows

In 2003, the original "Fab Five," consisting of foodie Ted Allen, grooming guru Kyan Douglas, designer Thom Philicia, fashion expert Carson Kressley, and culture enthusiast Jai Rodriguez, made its debut on Bravo. The show was an instant hit and an important moment for queer representation on television. In 2018, Netflix rebooted the series with a brand new Fab Five to equal fanfare. 

This groundbreaking MTV reality series aired its first season starting in 1992, with seven strangers sharing a SoHo loft in New York City. The series ran for a record-setting 33 seasons, including stops in Austin, Atlanta, Paris, and Philadelphia, inspiring multiple spinoffs and an entire crop of infamous reality stars. 

Arguably the first reality show in television history, Candid Camera hit the airwaves in 1948. The practical joke-obsessed series can be cheesy, sure, but it's entertained families for generations. 

Snooki, The Situation, J-Woww, Sammi Sweetheart, and the rest of the gang stormed onto MTV's line-up in 2009, and reality TV was never the same. Following the antics of hard-partying teens working summer jobs on the coast of New Jersey, the series inspired countless controversies and earned legions of fans. 

Since its 2000 debut, more than 40 seasons of "Survivor" have aired, and millions of people continue to tune in every single year to watch two "tribes" of strangers come together and figure out how to survive on a remote island. Always good for drama and intrigue, fans of the show are desperately waiting for its post-pandemic comeback. 

What happens when you put a bunch of strangers into one house, then film them 24 hours a day? "Big Brother." Originally a Dutch series, "Big Brother" has aired in 54 different countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. 

This reality singing competition is a spin-off of the British original, and first aired in 2002. The season's first winner, Kelly Clarkson, went on to be an international superstar, as did subsequent competitors like Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood. 

Will you accept this rose? That's the big question on "The Bachelor," a legendary reality romance show that's spawned multiple spin-offs — and actual marriages. Throughout its 25 seasons, 16 couples formed on "The Bachelor" are still together today. 

The first in what would be a slew of series focused on the antics of rich women in cities like Atlanta, New York, and Potomac, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" made its debut on Bravo in 2002. Only a few of the show's original stars are still involved, but now in its 16th season, there's still plenty of drama for fans to enjoy. 

Often dangerous and usually crude, Johnny Knoxville's "Jackāss" instantly became a cultural phenomenon when it first premiered on MTV in 2000. The series often showcased Knoxville and his co-stars, including Bam Margera and Steve-O, engaging in death-defying — or just generally disgusting — antics, none of which should be tried at home. The series is set to take its final bow with "Jackāss Forever," a feature film that hits theaters in October 2021. 

By now, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner are household names. But back in 2007, this terminally famous family was firmly on the D-List. After running for 20 seasons, and showcasing the life stories of Kim and sisters Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, and Kylie, KUWTK aired its final episodes in March 2021. 

This reality TV series, premiered in 2001, had teams of friends and relatives running all over the world for a chance to win a $1 million prize. Always an impressive showcase of the human spirit, the show is currently waiting for the COVID-19 pandemic to stabilize before filming its 33rd season. 

This series, which paired supermodel Heidi Klum with fashion expert Tim Gunn and a slew of up-and-coming designers as they constructed garments that showed off their design abilities, premiered in 2004. Since then, it's bounced around networks and is now hosted by model Karlie Kloss, but still remains a favorite among fashionistas everywhere. 

Created by supermodel Tyra Banks, "America's Next Top Model" launched in 2003 as a way to find the freshest new faces in the modeling world. Since then, it's become a cult favorite and spurred the careers of multiple models across its 24 seasons. 

Yet another American take on a British reality favorite, "Dancing With The Stars" has paired professionally trained dancers with celebrities ranging from football players to politicians. Series winners include NFL legend Emmitt Smith, "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star Alfonso Ribiero, and figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. 

Even if you've never seen an episode of "Cops," the infamous reality series that first aired in 1989. Throughout its 32 seasons, the series followed police officers and other law enforcement across the country as they investigated crimes and arrested accused perpetrators. 

This truly over-the-top reality TV series got its start in 2000, and as the name might imply, it seeks to bust people who are being unfaithful in their relationships. Not surprisingly, that often goes awry. The show has been accused by some of being scripted but has maintained that all the cheating stories you see on "Cheaters" are totally legit. 

Starlets Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie learned all about "The Simple Life" in 2003 when the first season aired on E! It followed Richie and Hilton, both presented as pampered heiresses, as they tried to live "normal" lives by taking care of farm animals, working in fast-food restaurants, and otherwise being stripped of the trappings of a wealthy life. Since its debut, the show's earned a cult following. 

Arguably the most entertaining reality competition series on television, "RuPaul's Drag Race" is a competition series that pits drag queens against each other in a series of fashion, acting, singing, and dancing challenges. The show is also peppered with surprise celebrity guests, and never short on drama. 

In 2006, teens were obsessed with "The Hills," an MTV reality series that followed the posh lives of Los Angeles rich kids as they partied, fell in love, and as is common on reality shows, fought like crazy. After airing for four seasons, the series inspired multiple one-season spin-offs, including "The City."