2023 Was A Great Year For New Reality TV Shows

Say what you’ll about actuality TV, but it surely’s right here to remain. It’s a celebrity style! Since the times of The Real World, actuality TV has pulled us in with new tales and codecs.

For me, it has been 23 years since watching folks vote one another out on Survivor stole my 10-year-old thoughts’s consideration. And I’ve been obsessed ever since!

With a decades-worth of TV explored, the style is not slowing down but. 2023 was a landmark yr that introduced us new names, new iterations, and new obsessions that stuffed our actuality TV thirst.

Don’t imagine me? Below, we regarded again on the yr for the way the style grew and reshaped itself. These themes introduced a number of beloved new favorites that made 2023 top-of-the-line years but for brand spanking new IPs (and a few acquainted names).

Check it out!

A Supreme Rises

After a long time of actuality TV, launching a brand new IP that attains widespread success and progress may be arduous. Not everybody can attain the staying title energy like Survivor, Big Brother, Love Island, and so on.

You want a novel format that gives an entertaining sport and many potential. Enter The Traitors.

The social deduction sport was initially launched in 2021 within the Netherlands to huge success, and some worldwide variations got here the next yr. But in 2023, The Traitors noticed its most huge progress but!

At least 12 new worldwide variations have been launched that unfold The Traitors’ model globally.

For North American audiences, The Traitors Season 1 went reside on Peacock to glorious fan curiosity. Thankfully, a second season renewal got here shortly and with one wanted change: that includes solely actuality TV celebrities.

And The Traitors Canada Season 1 on CTV delivered a deliciously enjoyable and surprising season!

The Traitors has turn into essentially the most important new title on the truth TV block. And with its rising attraction, we’d have a brand new franchise juggernaut that’s right here to remain. (Crossing all my fingers!)

All Around The World

Speaking of taking issues internationally, just a few franchises stored rising or launching. Just like The Traitors above, RuPaul’s Drag Race kicked off a number of new collection in nations worldwide.

Drag Race Germany Season 1, Drag Race Belgique Season 1, Drag Race Brasil Season 1, Drag Race Mexico Season 1, and Drag Race Sverige Season 1 all sashayed their means onto screens to search out the Next Drag Superstar. If you have been craving drag queen leisure, this was only a style of the obtainable content material.

For a extra established collection, we had the return of Big Brother U.Ok. because it went off the air in 2018! Sure, it is only a continuation, however the relaunch felt like a contemporary tackle the beloved present.

There is a lot actuality TV to get pleasure from in lots of locations however so little time.

Embracing History

If there’s one factor a actuality TV fan has, it is their tried-and-true favorites. Even if it is a decade later, they will nonetheless be rooting for his or her favourite former gamers or towards their love-to-hate villains.

The actuality TV style appeared to acknowledge this by bringing again many acquainted gamers to launch brand-new IPs.

In some instances, gamers got here again to play a similar-ish sort of sport, like Love Island Games Season 1. Or, it was recognizable and well-established names invited to compete on a brand new present, like The Traitors or E!’s House of Villains Season 1.

House of Villains is one such case that did all the things proper to hit the bottom working.

What higher strategy to launch a brand new collection than by specializing in the characters that deliver all of the drama? The villains!

Sometimes, all it is advisable to make a success is to depend on the facility of the solid. These villains had the expertise from their previous reveals and weren’t afraid to talk their minds and combat for display screen time. This recipe spelled success, making it one among E!’s greatest launches in years.

Bringing again former gamers generally is a hit and miss, however 2023 hit all the best notes.

A New Spin On Classic Styles

Refreshing previous concepts could make one thing really feel new and fashionable whereas nonetheless honoring the legacy of the unique. (Look to The Mole for the way it’s executed!) This yr, we discovered success in bringing again codecs we have been lacking for a while.

Who wasn’t excited to see Big Brother U.Ok. introduced again after going off the air in 2018? It’s one of many massive juggernauts from the worldwide franchise and a enjoyable present crammed with loads of personalities.

Though, the actual standout on this theme was The Devil’s Plan on Netflix.

Does anybody keep in mind the cult basic actuality present The Genius? With just a few tweaks and a contemporary replace, The Devil’s Plan Season 1 captured the magic of its predecessor. We obtained again a format that was sorely wanted!

New Face, Same Flair, More Fun

Speaking of updating codecs, how about spin-offs of already fashionable reveals? 2023 was the yr of constant momentum for profitable reveals however attempting out a brand new type. It was a good way to launch new titles from established and beloved IPs.

Big fan of courting reveals like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette? Go for an older, extra mature courting pool on The Golden Bachelor Season 1.

Do you benefit from the relationship mess on The Ultimatum? Experience new varieties of relationships on The Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 1.

Miss the casts from the mainline franchise? Watch them compete once more in spin-off video games like Big Brother Reindeer Games Season 1 and Love Island Games Season 1.

What made this strategy profitable was how audiences have been drawn to the spin-offs.

In some instances, like The Ultimatum: Queer Love, the season was extra favorably obtained by critics and followers than the principle present. (*Cough* The Ultimatum Season 2 *cough*.) The spin-offs introduced all of the attention-grabbing storylines and reminded us what we cherished in regards to the reveals within the first place.

And the spin-offs may take a look at and take a look at issues that needs to be added to their mainline reveals.

For instance, Big Brother Reindeer Games was enjoyable as a result of it had equitable competitions that any of their gamers may win, no matter age, measurement, and so on. Maybe Big Brother ought to take notice and cease doing rounds that favor solely extraordinarily match and younger houseguests.

Critical Joy

One of the downsides of actuality TV is the destructive notion of the style. Due to years of gimmicks and scandalous drama, many assume actuality TV is nothing greater than trash.

Sure, there are many responsible pleasures to lose your self in (we’ll get to this later). However, you would be sorely mistaken should you thought that actuality TV is simply that.

2023 noticed a yr of collection getting the popularity they deserve as well-crafted reveals.

For instance, Jury Duty Season 1 had a wave of essential reception and fan curiosity as a result of how robust the season was when it got here out. And it might be one worthy of award acclaim. Jury Duty has been nominated for a number of awards, together with the Primetime Emmys.

Netflix Is On A Roll

Out of all of the streamers, Netflix is pumping out essentially the most constant actuality TV reveals. They’re prepared to attempt one thing to see if it’s going to work, they usually’ll greenlight extra actuality reveals to their slate, each unique and spin-offs.

Just in 2023 alone, Netflix has had its justifiable share of collection, like Surviving Paradise Season 1, Perfect Match Season 1, and Bling Empire: New York Season 1, to call just a few.

While some did not final lengthy (so lengthy, Bling Empire), different beginner collection struck a chord with followers. We’ve obtained new seasons of Surviving Paradise and Perfect Match to look ahead to within the coming years.

Netflix may lastly be moving into a superb swing with their actuality line-up.

Adapting IPs

Speaking of Netflix, one among their greatest actuality TV reveals of 2023 got here from Squid Game: The Challenge Season 1.

This collection had loads of hype, particularly since Squid Game Season 1 was an enormous hit for Netflix. Transforming and adapting a fictional present right into a real-life actuality present may turn into a catastrophe if not executed proper.

And sure, we should acknowledge all of the behind-the-scenes drama from creating the collection. The collection hasn’t escaped its justifiable share of controversy or issues.

Though even after a bumpy run, the present’s success has proven that there’s potential for this sport to proceed. And that carrying over a high-concept concept like Squid Game right into a actuality TV present format may be executed.

Guilty Pleasure When You Need It

For each “serious” actuality present, generally you want a responsible pleasure to decompress and binge. No judgments!

I used to be deep in VH1’s world of Flavor of Love, I Love New York, Charm School, and the opposite spin-offs alongside the best way. And I’ve an extended historical past of different responsible pleasure reveals added to the listing (and some random ones to today).

In 2023, the brand new slate of “guilty pleasure” reveals appeared to personal their campy and absurd codecs. Most of the reveals have been in on the joke and knew precisely what they have been creating, which made it even higher. Their followers needed all of it and extra.

Just look to reveals like For the Love of Dilfs Season 1 and MILF Manor Season 1, for what I imply.

Now, over to you, Fanatics!

Which new actuality TV reveals did you like in 2023? Were there any shock hits that blew you away?

Are there any reveals that you simply assume ought to keep in 2023?

Share your ideas within the feedback under.

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