In the mood to get lost in the drama-fueled depths of this summer’s Reality TV? We’re right there with you, sis. Fortunately, now’s the perfect time to veg out on the couch while watching all the on-screen chaos unfold.
Whether you’re hoping to set sail with the tumultuous crew of Below Deck, or ready to join the singles on the tropical villa of Love Island, we at Trueself have concocted the ultimate list of the hottest reality shows to get lost in this summer.
Summer House
SNEAK PEEK: Your First Look at Summer House Season 8! | Summer House | Bravowww.youtube.com
I don’t know about you guys, but my favorite reality shows are the ones that are completely gimick-free. I couldn’t care less about game shows, celebrity judges, or ultra-famous reality stars. I don’t need to watch people competing for a million-dollar prize.
All I crave is a narrative that focuses on a core group of friends coming together to create brilliant drama amongst a gorgeous backdrop. This is precisely why Summer House is up there as my all-time favorite reality show — and an absolute must-watch for the season.
Although Summer House has been going eight seasons strong, it’s still a lesser-known Bravo show that far too many are sleeping on. This series has everything from romantic tension, blowout fights, and years of betrayal simmering beneath the surface.
If you’re looking for sizzling chemistry between castmates as they share a summer home in the Hamptons, look no further. You won’t regret it.
Below Deck
SNEAK PEEK: Your First Look at Below Deck Season 11 | Below Deck | Bravowww.youtube.com
Another Bravo reality show that’s a must-binge this season is the one and only Below Deck. In this highly-praised series, you get to set sail with a ragtag bunch of misfits who must navigate their choppy relationships with one another — as well as the choppy waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
(Think Summer House, but on a boat.)
Below Deckexplores the dicey dynamics between co-workers/lovers/sworn enemies, as they have no choice but to spend all their time together in close quarters — unless they decide to jump ship.
On top of all the messy drama between the ship’s crew members, they also must host their charter guests, who tend to whip out insane demands for each charter.
The original series is Below Deck Mediteranian. Yet its spin-off series, Below Deck Down Under, is just as enjoyable — if not more-so. Both can be streamed on Bravo as well as Peacock.
Temptation Island
Will These Couples End Up Stronger or Single? | Temptation Island (S5 E1) | Sneak Peek | USA Networkwww.youtube.com
This lesser-known dating series initially premiered in the year 2000 on Fox. Although it had a short run in the early Y2K era, it saw a recent revival with the same host, Mark Walberg (not the actor) in 20919.
This series puts couples to the ultimate test by moving them out to the tropics for several weeks while surrounding them with a bunch of beautiful single people of the opposite sex. The big question it poses is whether the couples will give into temptation by going for the singles in their villa or stick with the person they came to the island with, and are committed to.
With the tropical backdrop, endless scandals, and affairs galore, what more could you want out of a summer reality series, really?
Since the show’s recent announcement that it’s moving to Netflix in 2024, we can expect this lesser-known gem to blow up for worldwide audiences.
Vanderpump Rules
Vanderpump Rules: Vanderpump Rules Season 2 | Bravowww.youtube.com
Is it just me, or is there something about Stassi’s birthday parties going awry and Jax’s daily sociopathic shenanigans that simply scream summertime?
If you haven’t delved into the absolute chaotic mess involving the staff at Sur in Vanderpump Rules, then what are you doing with your life? This longtime reality series is a complete confection for drama lovers and Bravo connoisseurs alike. It has everything from shock, betrayal, romance, and even some surprising alliances that you never saw coming.
It’s sort of like Game of Thrones, where everyone is power-hungry and slightly evil — yet instead of Westeros, it’s West Hollywood. Rather than fighting over the iron throne, it’s fighting over the ever-notorious Scandoval.
What’s not to love?
Love is Blind
Love is Blind | Official Trailer | Netflixwww.youtube.com
Love is Blind is the reality smash-hit of the moment, and for good reason. The series follows a group of singles who are sick and tired of the dating scene and are fully prepared to marry up ASAP.
These contestants embark on their journey by dating people without ever actually seeing them. Since there’s a wall between them, falling in love is based purely on personality, chemistry, and shared values, as opposed to superficial matters like race, height, and looks.
Hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, Love Is Blind puts the philosophy of whether love is truly blind to the test. And, surprisingly, it sometimes is! Several successful marriages have come out of this Netflix series, which first premiered back in 2020.
But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Because heartbreak is always on the line in this series, there’s constant drama to keep fans on the edge of their seat. With the added pressure of only having a limited amount of time before walking the wedding aisle, the stakes couldn’t get higher on this super hot series.
Love Island
Love Island USA | Season 5 | Official Trailer | Peacock Originalwww.youtube.com
Want to spend the season with a bunch of drop-dead gorgeous singles who’ve got nothing better to do than shatter each other's hearts in the environs of a tropical villa? Then you will adore fan-fave Love Island. This reality show is constantly dulling out the drama, by throwing in endless twists and turns that truly put the show’s couples to the test. While most of the relationships on Love Island fail to last, there are a few longstanding couples from the series that have stuck it out together for quite some time. If you’re a fan of trash- TV and not ashamed to admit it, Love Island — US and UK — is right up your alley this summer.
So, what’ll it be, folks? Which reality TV series will you be binging all summer long?