Do people want to be on reality game shows to win money, to possibly become famous, or simply because they like the game? And that’s what most reality TV really is – a game. Personally, I watch shows such as “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Celebrity Apprentice” strictly for their entertainment values. Reality television programs, which feature real people engaged in real activities rather than professional actors performing scripted scenes, are increasingly popular. These reality game shows depict ordinary people competing in everything from singing to cooking or just plain surviving the elements and their co-contestants for a chance to win lots of money. Reality TV is also popular due to its controversy. If everyone got along and there were no villains, these shows would not be interesting. Haters of the villains and lovers of the heroes watch to see if those players will win or lose and that passion keeps fans glued to the TV. Like them or not, reality TV shows are here to stay. (Read “Is Reality TV Real?”) Here are my top 10 favorite Reality Game Shows of 2011. What was your favorite?
SURVIVOR (CBS)
Wednesdays @ 8:00pm
“Survivor” takes reality contestants on the adventure of a lifetime where they have to Outwit, Outlast and Outplay others in order to be crowned the sole “Survivor” in the end and win a million dollars. Places such as South China Sea: Tagi Beach, the Australian Outback, Africa, Marquesas: South Pacific, Thailand: Andaman Sea, The Amazon: Rio Negro, Pearl Islands, All Stars: Panama, Guatemala: The Maya Empire, Panama: Exile Island, Cook Islands, Fiji, Micronesia: Fans vs Favorites, Gabon: Earth’s Last Eden, Brazil: Tocantins, and Redemption Island: Nicaragua have been the backdrops for “Survivor” settings where the players have to learn to work as a team in order to survive the elements. Shelters have to be built, fire needs to be made without the aid of matches, and food gathered or caught as well as contestants competing in physical and mental challenges either as a team or an individual. Host Jeff Probst does a good job of asking just the right questions at Tribal Councils to find out what has been going on back at camp. Click here from some interesting quotes from “Survivor: Redemption Island.”
HELL’S KITCHEN (FOX)
Monday’s @ 9:00PM
There’s a famous saying, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!” I have never heard Chef Gordon Ramsay utter those words but you can bet it gets hot in “Hell’s Kitchen.” Competing chefs will be put through the burner by Chef Ramsay with culinary challenges where the teams go head-to-head for team rewards such as jetting to Palm Springs while the losers are left to clean up the mess. The last chef standing will become the head chef at a distinguished top star restaurant. The teams are watched over and assisted by Ramsay’s Sous Chef’s Scott Leibford and Andi Van Willigan. James Lukanik is the Maitre d’ at “Hell’s Kitchen.”
THE AMAZING RACE (CBS)
Sundays @ 8:00pm
“The Amazing Race” takes contestants and viewers on a race around the world where the first team to reach the final finish mat will win a million dollars. Contestants have to compete in challenges along the way, avoid bad taxi drivers that take them on wild goose chases, and use their worldly wits to make it to the end. In past seasons racers have traveled and competed in places such as Africa, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Dubai, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russia, Seychelles, Siberia, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, and Vietnam.
CELEBRITY APPRENTICE (NBC)
Sundays @ 9:00pm
In “Celebrity Apprentice,” famous celebrities will compete for $250,000 cash for their favorite charity. Typically teams are divided up into men versus women. Each week the teams pick a project manager who will attempt to lead their team to victory by performing the given task the best – which means bring in the most money. Celebrities can choose to beg their wealthy celebrity friends to donate cash for their cause or they can get money for their task the hard way – by actually earning it from everyday people on the street. Each task ends in the Board Room where one person from the losing team will be fired by host and billionaire Donald Trump. Donald’s children. Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric assist him in making the decision by being his eyes and ears on the ground while the task is ongoing.
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT (NBC)
Tuesdays @ 8:00pm (Summer)
American’s and people abroad bring their wacky talents to live TV in hopes of winning the grand prize of one million dollars and a headline show in Las Vegas. There have been some pretty colorful talents shown in the past, to say the least. These unusual talents are first judged by onstage judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel. In 2012, new judge Howard Stern will replace the snarky, entertaining Piers Morgan. Nick Cannon hosts.
SHARK TANK (ABC)
Fridays @ 8:00pm
Do you think you have a great idea for a business but need help marketing your product and cash to either produce the product and/or get the business started? Then maybe you should dare to enter the “Shark Tank.” The rich sharks, Barbara Corcoran (real estate mogul), Robert Herjavec (technology innovator), Daymond John (fashion/branding expert), Kevin O’Leary (venture capitalist), and guest sharks Mark Cuban (chairman if HDNet), Lori Greiner (the Queen of QVC), are there to listen to your pitch and then decide if they think your idea or company is worth investing their own money in. Of course there is one itty-bitty catch – the Sharks want something from you in exchange for their money. Usually they want to own a percentage of the company or to outright buy the patent for your product.
THE VOICE (NBC)
Tuesdays @ 8:00pm
“The Voice” brings a twist to the unknown singer competition by having four judges, Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Blake Shelton (Country music singer), Cee Lo Green (Pop/R&B singer), and Christina Aguilera (Pop singer), have their backs to the singers as they audition. The judges decide on the singer’s voice alone whether or not they want that voice on their team. If more than one judge chooses a singer, then the singer gets to choose what team they prefer to be on. Once the teams are picked it’s on to the battle round where the judges are now the coaches. They give advice to their team on how to perform on stage in front of a large live audience, and then they have to choose 2 of their own singers to go onstage and sing with/against each other. After the performance, the coach the picks one singer to stay and one to go home. In the final performances, the singer’s compete against the other teams. This time the TV audience gets to vote for their favorite singer left standing. The winner receives $100,000 and a recording contract.
FACE OFF (SYFY)
Wednesdays @ 10:00pm
Special effects make-up artists compete in this reality game show for a career launching grand prize. Contestants will be challenged to use their imagination at its fullest using different modes of artistry to create new horror villains, sculpting molds for masks and prosthetics, 3-D design, and using live models to execute full body makeup. Contestants will face the 3 judges each week: Hollywood veteran artist Glenn Hetrick who worked on Heroes and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, artist Patrick Tatopoulos famous for his work on Resident Evil: Extinction and Independence Day, and Academy Award winner Ve Neill who worked on Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands. “Face Off” is hosted by McKenzie Westmore, daughter of Michael Westmore who is the artist behind the “Star Trek” TV series.
MASTERCHEF (FOX)
Mondays & Tuesdays
In yet another cooking show, Chef Gordon Ramsay is on the lookout for amateur chefs in America. The amateur chefs cooking skills will be challenged weekly, their dishes judges on their appearance, and then taste-tested by the judges. Then one chef will be chosen to leave the kitchen. Joining Chef Ramsay on the judges’ panel are restaurateur/wine maker Joe Bastianic and the youngest 4-Michelin starred chef in America, Graham Elliott.
FEAR FACTOR (NBC)
Mondays @ 9:00pm
Are you ready to stare fear in the face for a chance to win $50,000? Not me. They’d have to offer me a LOT more than $50,000 to pick up a live snake in my mouth or eat a live scorpion.
* * * *
Sources linked in TV show titles.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION
I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.