Favorite guilty pleasure reality TV shows

Even though we might not always admit it, we all love reality television. It’s hard not to because reality TV brings viewers some of the most entertaining and shocking moments that leaves viewers wanting more.

From the Kardashians to Idol hopefuls to single people looking for love, here’s a look at some of the most popular reality shows that people can’t help but watch week after week.

American Idol

American Idol made its Fox debut on June 11,2002 and has now become one of the most popular shows on American television. The show originated from the 2001 British reality program Pop Idol; The United Kingdom's version of Idol. The show has given us talented singers like Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee and Jordin Sparks.

The X-Factor (UK)

Thanks to the Internet, The X-Factor (UK) is quickly becoming a popular reality series in the United States. Viewers watch online as their favorite acts to compete for the ultimate prize and the title of the newest X-Factor. The series introduced music fans in the US to Leona Lewis. It didn’t take long for the singer with an incredible voice to make it big in the US. Currently trying to take America by storm is the newest pop boyband sensation One Direction.

The X-Factor recently finished up its first season in the US.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Love them or hate them, no one can deny the popularity of Keep up with the Kardashians. They’re proof that no publicity is bad publicity. The E! network received their highest ratings to date from the recent season, which ended a few weeks back, of Kourtney and Kim Take New York, which chronicled the end of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ short marriage.

The Bachelor & The Bachelorette

We were introduced to the series in 2002 where Alex Michel was looking for love. The Bachelor follows a single man who is courted by 25 single women. We watch as he goes on a series of dates and usually instantly we watch women fall madly in love with a man they have only known for 24 hours and spent maybe 25 seconds with. Each week during the rose ceremony, the Bachelor has to eliminate the women he doesn’t have a connection with. After the show wraps and all the romantic trips and dinners are gone, the relationships never really survive in the real world.

After Trista Rehn became the runner-up in the first season of the Bachelor, ABC decided to do a spin-off called the Bachelorette. They gave Trista a second chance at finding love. The premise is exactly like the Bachelor, just 25 single men instead of women. So far, Trista is the only successful Bachelorette. Her and Ryan Sutter married in 2003, which of course was broadcasted on ABC.

Dancing With The Stars

Like American Idol, Dancing with the Stars is a show based off the United Kingdom BBC Television series Strictly Come Dancing. The show has become an instant hit that it’s now a Primetime Emmy Award-nominated and People’s Choice Award winning reality show. The show pairs a celebrity with a professional ballroom dancer and each week a celebrity is voted until it reaches the finale three. Those three couples battle it out for the Dancing With the Stars trophy.

So You Think You Can Dance

For those not familiar with SYTYCD, it’s the dancing version of American Idol. The series premiered in 2005 where producers are on the hunt for America’s best dancer. With a mixture of dancers, each person has to work their way through a rigorous audition process and over the course of the show have to dance a different style to test their versatility.

America’s Next Top Model

Thousands come out to audition, but only one can be the next top model. Premiering in 2003, the show follows aspiring models that want to start their career in the already tough modeling industry. ANTM is currently the CW’s highest rated series and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Project Runway

Project Runaway is a Peabody Award winning Lifetime (started out on Bravo) reality series that focuses on fashion designers. Contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes in hopes of being the next winner. Each challenge requires the designers to create a garment from non-traditional materials, recycled materials or grocery store items in order to create a look for a certain person, corporate fashion line, or specialized theme. Once the deadline has been reached, the designers will then need to dress their models and select their hair, make-up and accessories prior to the models walking the runway.

Honorable Mentions