We’re a little obsessed with reality TV.

Yes, from as far back as we can remember, we’ve been obsessing over one show or another. And while we’re fully aware our guilty pleasure isn’t going to win any prestigious awards any time soon, that doesn’t stop us from looking forward to watching the unfolding drama each night. However, even we can see that there are some reality TV shows better than others, and some that we cannot believe ever existed. Yes, along the way there have been some car crash moments for the ‘unscripted’ and ‘real’ genre, so we’re looking back on some of the worst reality shows that made it to air.  

1. Playing It Straight

Premise: One woman spends time on a ranch with a group of single men. The twist? Only half of them are straight. If the woman ends up picking a straight man at the end, the pair will split the prize money. If she chooses a gay man, then he will win the entirety of the prize money, leaving the woman with nothing. On air for: Eight whole seasons and a UK spin-off with two more seasons.  

2. Mr. Personality

Premise: Another dating show where one woman has to select a husband from twenty bachelors. However, the men all go around for the entire season wearing masks in the hopes that the woman will make her decision based on personality alone. Weird side note: This was hosted by Monica Lewinsky. On air for: Just five episodes.

 

3. Vanilla Ice Goes Amish

Premise: 90s rapper Vanilla Ice moves to Amish country in Ohio and works among the community to learn their ways. All the while renovating homes for Amish families in need. On air for: Two seasons.  

4. I Wanna Marry “Harry”

Premise: Twelve American women are flown over to the UK in a bid to win the heart of Prince Harry himself. However, ‘Harry’ is not actually royalty at all, only a Prince Harry look-alike. On air for: Just four episodes in the US, however, the complete first season was aired in the UK.

5. Who’s Your Daddy?

Premise: One young woman who was put up for adoption as a child meets with 25 men, one of whom is her biological father. Guess correctly and she wins $100,000. Incorrectly and the contestant she picks wins the money. On air for: Pulled after the first episode due to huge criticism.

6. Taking on Tyson

Premise: Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson combines his love of pigeons and sport, and gets involved in the world of competitive pigeon racing. On air for: One season.

7. Flockstars

Premise: A group of celebrities, including Fazer from N-Dubz, and Brendan Cole, move to a farm to master the art of sheep herding. On air for: One glorious season.