There are so many great shows on television right now that can transport you into magical, amazing worlds whether they be here and now, or in the past and present. And while that’s great and all, what about shows that are actually real? We’re talking reality television because while it’s great to binge a slow-moving corporate drama, there’s something about getting completely sucked into a cycle from a reality show and refusing to leave until you know what happens in the end. Who needs a prestige drama when you can watch people receive makeovers?
Reality shows are definitely going through their own sort of resurgence right now, and there’s something for everyone whether you like dating shows, challenge and elimination shows, extreme makeovers, singing shows, or following along with the lives of Real Housewives. If you’re looking to take a break from whatever fictional show you’re watching and lose yourself in something new for a change, here are the most binged reality and competition shows so far this year.
20. 90 Day Fiancé
Falling in love and making it work long distance can be hard enough, but now add on the pressure of getting married in 90 days after your brand new betrothed has just traveled halfway across the world to move in with you.
19. The Bachelor
It started a cultural phenomenon making the idea of being presented with a rose the end all, be all for all relationships — both in real life and on TV.
18. The Challenge
Imagine all your favorite MTV reality stars coming together to compete in something akin to a super game show. It’s clearly a hit, because The Challenge, in one form or another, has been running for 33 seasons.
17. Jersey Shore: Family Vacation
The original Jersey Shore family is back together, but this time they’re taking the party (and their drama) to Miami.
16. The Bachelorette
While it hasn’t been through as many cycles as The Bachelor, the guy contestants on the show tend to go a little bit more over the top, which often doesn't go over well with the ladies.
15. Dance Moms
This behind-the-scenes look at the Abby Lee Dance Company gave us the likes of dancers Maddie Ziegler, JoJo Siwa, and Asia Monet Ray.
14. Vanderpump Rules
The series follows Lisa Vanderpump (Of Real Housewives of Beverly Hill fame) and her employees at SUR, a restaurant in West Hollywood, California.
13. Love Island (US)
Originally launched int he U.K., a brand new U.S. version launched earlier this year. We'll honestly watch Love Island wherever it takes place.
12. Nailed It!
Do you like watching cooking shows? Do you like watching cooking shows where the contestants fail miserably? Then Nailed It! is for you.
11. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The sixth installment of the Real Housewives franchise currently stars Kyle Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, Lisa Rinna, Erika Girardi, Dorit Kemsley, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave, and Denise Richards.
10. The Amazing Race
Set off an adventure around the world with hopefully a partner you can trust and rely on as contestants compete in challenges as one team is eliminated each episode.
So fierce and so fabulous, RuPaul sashayed into our hearts and is never leaving.
Have you ever been duped by someone online? Neve and Max are here to save the day and get to the bottom of what’s happening on the internet.
Though in the moment we’d be absolutely terrified, being eliminated by Gordon Ramsay on Hell’s Kitchen would be a dream come true.
What could have been an incredibly gimmicky series instead turned into a singing phenomenon as major stars donned a mask to — what else? — sing.
5. MasterChef
After watching a season (or two or three) of MasterChef we all believe we have the cooking skills to win this competition in the kitchen.
4. Keeping Up with the Kardashians
We’ll actually never be able to keep up with the Kardashians and their media empire, but at least we can watch it all unfold on TV.
3. Love Island
A huge hit in the U.K., it’s developed a cult-like following after eight seasons.
2. Big Brother
The long-running show somehow always manages to surprise and shock us with the drama that goes on inside the famed house.
1. Queer Eye
Can you believe that these five fabulous people are now in our lives and making the world a better place?
*The "Most Binged Reality & Competition Series In 2019 (So Far)" is based on episodes binged by U.S. TV Time users from 1/1/19-8/27/19. A binge session is when four or more episodes of a show are watched and tracked in our app within a given day.
