Best 3…Reality Series

I overhead a conversation today at work that seemed to revolve around reality shows/series (I think the conversation must have started when someone mentioned how much they enjoyed watching The Voice and how they were disappointed in some of the people that have been eliminated). This got me thinking about the amount of reality series that has invaded cable and how some of these shows are just so hard to stop watching. Yes I admit, I am one of the millions of people who has tuned in one time or another (or another and another) to one of the reality series. It also got me thinking that less than a decade ago – reality tv was a new concept being tested with Survivor. Then reality shows came in a wave – Amercian Idol, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Big Brother, Fear Factor…I could go on and spend this whole post just listing all of them but that is not what I want to do and just try and think of all the celebrities that are jumping on the chance to have their own reality series.

Even though there have been some crazy reality series – does anyone remember Temptation Island - where the concept of the show was to send couples to an tropical island - seperate the couples and let them see whether they would be tempted by other people on the island and then see whether they would still stay together (even after some of them cheated). It was crazy…really crazy.

It has also been documented that the genre of reality television consists of a variety of subgroups such as:

Documentary-style such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians, The Real World, The Osbournes, Dog Whisperer, Americab Chopper
Competition/game shows such as Dancing with the Stars, Deal or No Deal, The Apprentice, Top Chef, So You Think You Can Dance
Self-Improvement/Makeover such as The Biggest Loser, The Swan, Extreme Makeover
Renovation such as Trading Spaces, Pimp My Ride
Social Experient such as Wife Swap
Hidden Cameras such as Punk’d
Supernatural & paranormal such as Scariest Places on Earth

However, there have been some reality series that are actually interesting (although there are some crazy moments too) but they have not put me off as much as some (Toddlers and Tiaras – really – that is scary reality tv). They have something that keeps my attention.

So, here are the Best 3…Reality Series

1. My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

2. Deadliest Catch

3. Say Yes to the Dress

Ok, if you have never heard of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding – you definitely need to find a way to see it. It is a documentary-style reality series that “offers a window into the secretive, extravagant and surprising world of gypsies and travellers in Britain today.” Channel 4 was the first to air the series, with TLC rebroadcasting it for North American audiences. I also happen to hear that there is going to be an American version that will be airing soon. This show is addictive. You will be amazed at the wedding preparations, decorations, dresses and the culture of the gypsies and travellers – and these are not what you might picture old-fashioned gypsies to be. If you need a reference – think of Brad Pitt‘s character in Snatch – just not the way he talked because that was exagerated.

I’ve included some clips from the series I highly encourage you to tune in

The first time I saw the Deadliest Catch – I was amazed that people did this for a living. I admit I never thought of how the crab ended up in restaurants and grocery stores. Well, this show surely educated me. Just seeing the waves and the ships bouncing up and down…and the actually dangerous conditions that these crews battle. It amazed me and made me watch week after week and season after season. I thank Discovery Channel for putting the show on the air – it really is one of the best reality shows.

My final best 3 pick is Say Yes to the Dress. I am a sucker for anything that has to do with weddings and the dress is the show piece of the whole day and is sometimes the hardest thing to find…but when brides do, it’s nice to watch. That alone makes me watch. I just love seeing all the dresses. It’s great. If you have never seen it, check it out on TLC. There is also Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaid and that is so crazy, it’s awesome and addictive.