20 of the longest-running reality TV shows

This OG competition show has been stranding contestants on islands and making them eat bugs for decades. It's the ultimate game of manipulation and strategy, and somehow, we're still shocked by every blindside. Jeff Probst and his torches are true reality TV royalty. 

When it comes to Big Brother, we know to expect the unexpected. This social experiment locks strangers in a house, and we get to watch alliances crumble and showmances bloom. It's a glorious mess of strategy and late-night feeds all summer long. 

Couples, friends, and family members sprinting through airports and tackling wild challenges across the globe? Sign us up, please! This series gives us wanderlust (and makes us judge everyone else's ability to follow directions under pressure). 

It's the show that discovered Kelly Clarkson and made us all believe we'd be the next singing sensation. Since then, this show has been a pop culture phenomenon, and even after a network hop and judge shake-ups, it's still finding undiscovered talent. Plus, hearing, "You're going to Hollywood," never gets old. 

The Bachelor has launched a thousand memes and countless spin-offs. It's our favorite guilty pleasure for watching ridiculously romantic (and sometimes cringey) journeys to find "true love."

This iconic spin-off puts a lucky lady in the ultimate dating driver's seat, with a whole lineup of hopeful guys vying for her final rose. She navigates a whirlwind of extravagant dates, dramatic cocktail parties, and emotional rose ceremonies. It's her love story to write, complete with plenty of tears, triumphs, and a whole lot of "can I steal you for a sec?"

The Real World changed it all. When producers decided to put seven strangers into a house to see what would happen when they stopped being polite and started being real, they struck gold. It tackled big issues and gave us some unforgettable (and often dramatic) personalities.

What started as a Real World spin-off has become an athletic spectacle of its own. These MTV vets (and now some newbies) battle it out in insane physical competitions and even more intense house politics. It's like the Olympics, but with way more backstabbing. 

Celebrities you kinda know attempting complicated ballroom dances with patient pros? That's our kind of show! From epic transformations to some truly questionable rhythm, this show is all about the sparkle and the surprisingly emotional journeys. 

For years, Project Runway has been serving looks and high-stakes design challenges. It's where aspiring designers showcase their talent, and we judge their creations from our couches! 

Gordon Ramsay feuding with chefs on this show until they either cry or become culinary rockstars is a formula that just keeps on giving. The pressure is insane, the insults are legendary, and rooting for that one "idiot sandwich" is always the goal. It's deliciously brutal. 

For 20 seasons, the Kardashian family let us into their glitzy, chaotic, and often hilarious world, basically defining a whole era of pop culture. They built an empire while we watched, proving family drama can be seriously good business. Bible. 

This raw, ride-along show has been a TV staple for a long time, offering viewers a glimpse into the world of law enforcement. It's unscripted in a way few other shows ever achieve. 

Pack your knives and go! This culinary competition is for serious foodies, showcasing incredible talent and high-pressure kitchen battles. It's made "cheftestants" household names and our mouths water for years. 

Start your engines, and may the best queen win! RuPaul's Drag Race is a cultural phenomenon that has brought drag artistry to the mainstream with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. It's a celebration of creativity, resilience, and a whole lotta sass. Shantay, you stay. 

Those blind auditions and spinning chairs are just ... chef's kiss. Focusing purely on vocal talent, The Voice has launched careers and given us some epic coach rivalries. It's all about finding that one voice that gives everyone goosebumps. 

Aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their wild ideas to a panel of touch-love investors (a.k.a. the Sharks). We get to see dreams either take flight or get hilariously (and sometimes harshly) shot down. It's like business school, but way more entertaining. 

The Real Housewives franchise has turned into a pop culture empire. It started with Orange County and has now expanded to Rhode Island. The ladies showcase lavish vacations, loyal friendships, and iconic table flips. They've been stirring up trouble for what feels like forever, and we can't get enough. 

Tyra Banks taught us how to "smize" and brought high fashion (and high drama) to the masses. Aspiring models faced wild photoshoots and intense critiques, all vying to be on top. It was fierce, and we lived for every makeover episode. 

Who knew international love stories could create so much drama? This show and its countless spin-offs explore the wild ride of couples who have 90 days to marry, delivering culture clashes, skeptical families, and some truly unforgettable characters. It's a global phenomenon for a reason.