2022 was full of both new and returning reality television shows. Between the drama of family and friends, love and possible marriages to random people, there was no shortage of intriguing reality TV shows to watch. Here is a list of 10 of the best reality television shows from the year.
1. “Married At First Sight”
In 2022, we were blessed with two seasons of “Married at First Sight.” The first season took place in Boston and the next in San Diego, both of which were wild. This year offered viewers of the series some good villains (Alyssa from Boston, Justin from San Diego), some sweet divorcees (Krysten from San Diego, Chris from Boston), and couples that unexpectedly made love last. Both new seasons of “Married at First Sight” are worth the watch.
“Married At First Sight” is now streaming on Lifetime and the Roku Channel.
2. “Love Is Blind”
The second and third seasons of “Love Is Blind” premiered in 2022, and let’s just say this show will make you wonder if your true love is across the world. Throughout both seasons, cast members date each other through rooms where neither can see the other. The cast dates until two members choose to be together. Once they get engaged, they finally get to see each other for the first time. Between finding love, fighting for love and even surprising findings about castmates’ history, the search for love continues.
“Love Is Blind” is now streaming on Netflix.
3. “The Kardashians”
One of reality television’s favorite families returned to the small screen in 2022 for seasons 1 and 2 of their new show “The Kardashians.” The show covers recent drama surrounding the lives of Kris, Kylie, Kim, Kourtney, Kendall and Khloe. Just like the original “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” “The Kardashians” invites audiences into the crazy fun lives of the Kardashian-Jenner family.
“The Kardashians” is now streaming on Hulu and Disney Plus.
4. “The Real Housewives Of Dubai”
Everything’s bigger in Dubai. Bravo has added the first international show produced by the network. “The Real Housewives Of Dubai” premiered earlier this year and was full of drama and lavish lifestyles. Between gifting goats, fighting over who’s the best mother, to longtime friends falling out, the new Bravo franchise has made its spot with fans. The cast is made up of six successful women: Nina Ali, Lesa Milan, Chanel Ayan, Caroline Stanbury, Sarah Al Madani and Caroline Brooks living in “The City Of Gold.” The show gives fans an inside look at life and the not-so-typical lives of these Middle Eastern housewives.
“The Real Housewives Of Dubai” is now streaming on Bravo and Peacock.
5. “About Last Night”
NBA star Steph Curry and his wife Ayesha Curry came together to star as the hosts of the show “About Last Night.” The show follows three couples playing a questionnaire game for their favorite charities. Ayesha quizzes the couples on how well they know each other while Steph supplies them with their favorite drinks. While winning couple wins $20,000 for their charities, the point of the show is really just to drink and have a good time. The show consists of many different celebrity couples like Draymond Green and Hazel Renee, Evan Ross and Ashlee Simpson-Ross and Steph Curry’s sister Sydel Curry Lee and her husband Damion Lee. “About Last Night” provides viewers insight into each of the celebrity couples’ personal lives.
“About Last Night” is now streaming on HBO Max.
6. “Bling Empire”
If you liked the movie “Crazy Rich Asians” then the Netflix reality show “Bling Empire” may be your cup of tea. The cast is made of Christine Chiu, Kevin Kreider, Kevin Kreider, Anna Shay, Kelly Mi Li, Jaime Xie and Kane Lim. This year, the series released its second season that delivers the glitz and glamor of the cast’s lifestyles while testing their relationships. From pool parties to trips to Europe and shopping sprees, the series shows us a different side of the rich cast.
“Bling Empire” is now streaming on Netflix.
7. “Kandi And The Gang”
Between acting, singing, songwriting, and entrepreneurship, Kandi Burruss is a woman of many talents. Her new Bravo show “Kandi and The Gang” premiered in 2022 and fans loved the show. “Kandi & the Gang” is about the Grammy-award-winning artist restaurant “Old Lady Gang” that she manages alongside her mom and aunts, who were the inspiration behind the name. With drama between employees and the family, the Bravo TV series consists of 10 episodes full of laughter that gives viewers a glimpse into Kandi’s restaurant business.
“Kandi and The Gang” is now streaming on Peacock.
8. “The Bachelor”
ABC’s “The Bachelor” returned for its 26th season last January. If for some reason you aren’t familiar with this popular show, it is based around one man who is looking for love among 25 or so women. Over the course of several months, the lead dates all the contestants in various group and individual settings. Each week, he hands out roses to those who will stay on his quest for love, until he proposes at the end of the season. This season’s Bachelor was Clayton Echard, who was first seen on Michelle Young’s season. 2022 also saw new seasons of “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise.”
“The Bachelor” franchise is available to stream on HBO Max and Hulu.
9. “Love Off The Grid”
“Love Off The Grid” is different from most other reality shows considering given the title, the lovers find themselves completely off the grid. The series follows four people accustomed to living in different modern amenities who give it all up for a chance at true love. The best part about the show is the diversity of what love looks like. From giving up city life to moving in with your new love in a totally remote place, this shows viewers that your true love might be located somewhere you would never even think of.
“Love Off The Grid” is now streaming on Discovery Plus.
10. “Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition“
From Atlanta to Miami, VH1’s “Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition” returned in 2022 for its third season. If you’ve seen previous seasons then you know when it comes to drama, the love and hip-hop family brings it all to the table. “Love and Hip Hop” stars Spice and Amara La Negra have come together to host the reunion in Spice’s hometown in Jamaica, bringing the cast from the East Coast and West Coast together. The hip-hop cast features favorites Alexis Skyy, Amara La Negra, Chrissy Lampkin, Emjay Johnson, Estelita and more. With the trip starting off with arguments that eventually lead to fighting on the second day, the cast comes on the trip to not only mend old situations but also come together as one with the cast wanting to love and appreciate one another rather than fight. The season is currently still airing, and from day one compared to the latest episode, the cast seems to be in better spirits. But that could all change in the coming episodes.
“Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition” is streaming now on VH1.
Over the past few years since Covid, reality television had very little momentum due to safety precautions, but with the world opening up more in 2022, we were able to experience many of our favorite television series’ again along with many new & familiar faces. Some of these newer editions released including “Married At First Sight,” “Love Is Blind,” “The Kardashians,” “The Real Housewives Of Dubai,” “About Last Night,” Bling Empire,” “Kandi And The Gang,” “The Bachelor,” “Love Off The Grid” and “Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition” all offered nothing but entertainment this year. We saw A-list couple Stephen and Ayesha Curry give us a view into their and other celebrity couples’ personal lives. Bravo produced their first international show along with giving a glimpse into popular dating shows and we even got to see our favorite millennials back on screen. Of the 10 diverse television series, the main commonality is that the casts are all showing us their lives and allowing us to see them in a more intimate way. The expectations like family drama, dating, and even lavish lifestyles are what is to be expected. Reality television was amazing in 2022 but I know that 2023’s TV series are going to be even better.