Trinity Crompton, Molloy College

The relatively low stakes of this series help make it a quality reality program that stands out from many of its peers.

Sonia Noorbakhsh, UC Berkeley

This reality competition features more than just baking — it’s filled with jokes, lovable competitors and holiday-themed recipes that you can try at home.

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

The trashy reality TV show has evolved from an interesting, innocent show to the drama-filled, toxic mess fans have come to love.

Sonia Noorbakhsh, UC Berkeley

The reality show competition offers content that can entertain even those who know nothing about the art.

Kelsie Westmoreland, Washington and Lee University

TLC’s hit reality TV show followed young pageant girls’ journeys to stardom — but it wasn’t always pretty.

Kelsie Westmoreland, Washington and Lee University

With their 10th and final season airing this year, let’s take a look back on this famous family’s best headlines.

Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

By fully embracing its innovative makers and their one-of-kind designs, this reality competition show has successfully built an environment in which creatives can thrive.

Ariana Quijano, Georgia State University

To quote the patriarch of this reality TV family, ‘Crazy runs deep.’

Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

The reality show has had a scandalous history, but its latest season reflects a ‘new era’ of combating racism, misogyny and homophobia in its casting.

Michael Boland, DePaul University

The hit reality TV series follows the staff of Lisa Vanderpump’s LA Restaurant, Sur, as they indulge in alcohol and adultery, all while waiting tables.

Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

What can Netflix’s one season runway competition, led by Alexa Chung and Tan France, teach us about imperfection, artisanship and representation?

Michael Boland, DePaul University

The long-running reality television series shows the downsides of a decadent life on camera and their lasting implications.

Anna Wurm, Texas A&M University

Fans of ABC’s hit reality dating competition are in love with Matt James, the show’s first Black lead.

Anna Wurm, Texas A&M University

ABC’s hit reality dating show was rescued from Clare Crawley’s poor fan reception by a new star.

Tanisha Bhat, Boston University

These four film industry spouses show off their fantastic lives, but how much of it is just branding to get their children into the business?

Callie Rosenzweig, University of Chicago

The first few seasons of the series started off like every other reality dating show. But the inclusive cast of the newest season is paving the way for the future of reality TV.

Laura Song, Biola University

The unscripted reality show gives an unfiltered look at the lives of Korean celebrities as they live their lives as single adults.

Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

Watch ABC’s hit reality business show to learn more about the world of venture capital.

Alex Luna, University of California, Berkeley

The CBS reality game show is in need of some major improvements to keep viewers entertained next season.

Callie Rosenzweig, University of Chicago

Winners of the show are revered by fans worldwide, but some players who couldn’t pull out a victory are just as deserving of praise.

Anna Wurm, Texas A&M University

Peter Weber holds the title for least favorite ‘Bachelor’ contestant, but the current bachelorette might steal his number-one spot.

Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

This Netflix reality TV show focuses on the lives of West Coast real estate agents, but the social issues buried within it are anything but glamorous.

Anna Wurm, Texas A&M University

Clare Crawley is looking for love once again on ABC’s newest season of the hit reality dating show.

Abigail Adeleke, University of Miami

Designer fashion, million-dollar commissions and catty gossip — welcome to your new favorite Netflix reality show.

Madelyn Haasken, Bemidji State University

Dating shows that emphasize forced emotional connection and de-emphasize physical connection can be detrimental, especially for young people.

Daniel Reed

Is the love real, or is it all just for the cameras?

Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

The depiction of queer people on the show’s fifth season is reigniting questions about how LGBTQ+ characters are portrayed in the media.

Desiree Jaime, Hofstra University

The latest iteration of the long-running reality show franchise mixes song and romance.

Asha MacKay, Wellesley College

With their 31 year age difference, Big Ed and Rose are provoking an age-old discussion about love.

Vaishnavi Kalyana, College of DuPage

Netflix is going beyond the typical reality TV program with its two latest hits.

Nanda Illahi, Okayama University

After the success of ‘The Circle’ and ‘Love is Blind,’ Netflix has released another dating show with a twist.

Kali Johnson, Gustavus Adolphus College

On the surface, this dating program sounds like your typical reality show fare, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll see the contestants actually develop as people.

Mirella Gonzales, Texas Tech University

Netflix’s U.S. contestants were fun to watch, but Dumaresq, Gaybol, Lorayne and all the other Brazilian players are bringing even more drama.

Desiree Jaime, Hofstra University

This popular ABC TV show has reached its 24th season, and, despite its long run, the series still has moments that leaves fans completely astounded.

Vaishnavi Kalyana, College of DuPage

Every new season comes with a brand new set of conflicts and opportunities for sabotage. This time, it might be too much to take.

Megan Thompson, Montclair State University

The popular reality series sheds light on the toxic issues that come along with reality TV.

Eleanore Belanger, Arizona State University

It’s a reality TV train wreck: It’s bad, but you won’t be able to look away.

Rebecca McKinley Parsons, Wake Forest University

Long pushed out of the spotlight in favor of performers, songwriters are finally getting to be the center of attention.

Michaela Shea-Gander, Denison University

It puts ‘The Bachelor’ to shame.

Carly Ristaino, Union College

Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman have finally reunited, and all is right with the world.

Study Breaks Staff

Unlike most of her peers, Conrad turned her big break into a career.

Rachel Hall, Augustana College

In the last decade alone, 21 reality show contestants have taken their lives after the cameras stopped rolling.

Vanessa Chen, Franklin and Marshall College

Exploiting a mentally-fragile convicted felon as a source of entertainment borders on reckless journalism.

Adriana Luna, Northwest Vista College

The meatballs are back, and they’ve hardly changed a bit.

Ana Greening, Texas State University

Knowing their backstory makes these iconic images a million times more funny.

Ana Greening, Texas State University

Does combining winter sports, drama and a group of young contestants equal love in ‘The Bachelor Winter Games’?

Kaitlyn Peterson, UCLA

For several of the contestants, being sent home in a limo was the best thing that ever happened to them.