The best reality TV of 2025

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Reality TV dominated the airwaves this year, providing a welcome escape from everyday life. While scandals – breakups, arguments, and unpredictable moments – grabbed headlines, heartwarming scenes also emerged from even the most dramatic shows. Series like “Love Island USA,” “Dancing With the Stars,” and “Mormon Wives” demonstrated that Americans can find common ground, especially when there’s a little competition or honest self-expression involved – and maybe a touch of playful energy.

A dramatic exit on ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’

Garcelle Beauvais has left the reality series after six seasons, making her exit during the Season 14 reunion show. When host Andy Cohen attempted to gather the cast for a traditional group photo, Beauvais refused and walked off stage, stating she was finished. She later expressed in her dressing room that she couldn’t maintain friendships with the other women due to a lack of trust and mutual respect. This moment effectively signaled her departure. Her strained relationship with the other cast members, especially former close friend Sutton Stracke, has been a major storyline this season. – Yvonne Villarreal

Television

The star of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ is talking about the current season, the presidential election, and says she’d quit the show if her sons wanted her to.

Liam Payne’s posthumous appearance on ‘Building The Band’

The passing of Liam Payne, former member of One Direction, was deeply felt by fans worldwide in 2024. Now, his passion for music lives on in the Netflix reality series “Building the Band.” The show followed aspiring singers forming bands and collaborating with established artists like Payne, Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, and AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, who all served as mentors. Filming wrapped just before Payne’s death, and the series premiered in July with a tribute to him. AJ McLean noted Payne’s dedication to music and helping others discover their own talents. Throughout the competition, Payne offered heartfelt encouragement and valuable advice to the contestants. The final episode featured a touching clip of Payne singing and dancing to One Direction’s hit “What Makes You Beautiful” with the contestants and audience, showcasing his joyful and energetic personality. He playfully joined the crowd, sharing a lighthearted moment with everyone before returning to the judges’ panel, exclaiming, “That was so fun.” It’s a truly memorable scene that perfectly captures his warm spirit. — Kaitlyn Huamani

Music

Based on Liam Payne’s own statements and conversations with those who knew him, the late pop star appears to have battled addiction while living in the public eye.

Huda Mustafa’s crash-outs on ‘Love Island USA’

I have to admit, my friends totally got me hooked on “Love Island” this year! Everyone was talking about the hilarious “Mommy? Mamacita” moment with Huda, but honestly, it was watching her emotional rollercoaster that really kept our group chat going. We spent weeks debating which of her breakdowns was the most memorable. Was it when she burst into tears after seeing Amaya kiss Jeremiah (their picture is even our group avatar!)? Or maybe when she reacted to Jeremiah’s date with Iris, saying it was her dream date? And then there was that awful dinner where Chris left her! Seriously, we’re all hoping Huda gets some good support and finally gets that perfect beach date she deserves. – Vanessa Franko

Voices

Commentary: ‘Love Island USA’ watch parties could offer a guide for saving television

Even if you’re not a fan of ‘Love Island USA,’ it’s remarkable how the show is bringing people together when so many other programs are dividing audiences, according to our columnist.

How race and class were discussed in Season 9 of ‘Love Is Blind’

This season of the reality dating show saw no weddings, but the couples’ journeys were still captivating. Discussions about class differences were central, particularly with Jordan Keltner and Megan Walerius, who ultimately broke up because of their contrasting lifestyles. Work and lifestyle also led to a split for Anton Yarosh and Ali Lima, as Ali openly wanted financial security and to maintain her self-care routines. However, the most compelling conversations revolved around race, especially involving Patrick Suzuki. He shared his insecurities with both Anna Yuan and Kacie McIntosh, the woman he proposed to. The biggest shock came when Kacie ended the engagement right before a trip to Mexico, insisting it wasn’t about Patrick’s race or appearance. This left both Patrick and viewers confused, but his honesty made him a sympathetic figure. — Maira Garcia

Television

As a big fan of the latest season of that Netflix dating show, I was really interested to hear Patrick Suzuki talk about his relationships with both Anna Yuan and Kacie McIntosh. He finally opened up about what happened with Kacie and why they ended things, which was something a lot of viewers, myself included, were curious about.

When Meghan explained her surname on ‘With Love, Meghan’

While preparing star-shaped cucumber sandwiches for a pretend children’s party on her Netflix show, Meghan Markle playfully reminded her guest, Mindy Kaling, about her married name. This happened in the second episode of the first season, as Meghan shared stories about her childhood growing up as a typical American kid who often ate fast food.

Mindy Kaling joked that it’s highly unlikely Meghan Markle has ever enjoyed a meal at Jack in the Box.

The duchess playfully corrected Mindy Kaling, pointing out, ‘You keep saying ‘Meghan Markle.’ I’m known as Sussex now.’ Kaling paused briefly, seemingly speechless – a reaction that felt perfect for a popular ‘the woman was too stunned to speak’ sound clip on TikTok.

Meghan discussed why it’s important to her that her children share a last name. Mindy Kaling responded that she understands now and appreciates that perspective. The author admits she isn’t critical of Meghan or the show, and even envies Meghan’s seemingly effortless domesticity. However, she’s struck by how anything connected to Meghan quickly becomes a source of controversy. The comment sparked a lot of online discussion about the challenges Meghan’s family faces with their name now that they’re no longer part of the royal family. On a lighter note, the author also found the mention of “flower sprinkles” on scrambled eggs particularly amusing. — Y.V.

The ‘Mormon Wives’ pass a talking stick and ‘take accountability’

The third season of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” which follows social media influencers in Utah with different levels of religious belief, delivered plenty of drama this year. The season included arguments, surprising claims, and even polygraph tests. However, a highlight was a sincere attempt at reconciliation. Whitney Leavitt, recently known from “Dancing With the Stars,” and Mayci Neeley brought everyone together to discuss their problems and take responsibility for their actions—a phrase repeated often on the show. The meeting was uniquely organized: each woman wore a glowstick around her neck after sharing her feelings, and a Barbie doll named Eve was passed around to ensure everyone took turns speaking. While the setup was a bit silly, it provided entertaining moments and highlighted what makes the show so compelling: these young women openly address complicated issues, even if their way of resolving conflicts is reminiscent of the movie “Mean Girls”—a comparison they playfully admit.

Kirk Cousins’ musical stylings in ‘Quarterback’ Season 2

This Netflix series is a must-watch for NFL fans, offering an insider’s look at the league. But what truly makes it special is how it reveals the human side of these elite athletes. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, in particular, is surprisingly relatable – a book lover and Kohl’s shopper who shares how music inspires him. He credits Tom Petty with helping him bounce back from a tough game, and even promises a coach a stellar practice if Celine Dion is played. The highlight, though, is a joyful post-win drive-thru singalong with his brother and friends, belting out Cher’s “Believe” in perfect harmony – a far cry from the typical, serious athlete image. Even his son asks them to stop, but Cousins insists, “Sometimes you just have to sing Cher.”

The entirety of Season 2 of ‘The Valley’

The recent season of “Vanderpump Rules” felt surprisingly grim, more like a true crime documentary than typical reality TV. While drama is common in these shows, this season’s darkness was constant and intense. What started as a look at former partygoers navigating adulthood, marriage, and parenthood quickly turned unsettling. The season heavily focused on Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s difficult breakup, marked by Taylor’s unstable behavior, cheating allegations, money problems, and struggles with substance abuse, ultimately leading to their separation and Taylor entering rehab. Others contributed to the negativity too, with conflicts between Jesse Lally and Michelle Saniei, and Danny Booko’s drinking becoming a major issue. It was a season that made even devoted reality TV fans question whether they should be watching it.

Television

Bravo’s reality show has a completely new cast for Season 12, featuring 10 servers and staff from SUR restaurant who are all hoping to become the next big star.

Tom Sandoval’s rise from rock bottom on ‘The Traitors’

I didn’t expect the guy from the original “Vanderpump Rules”—you know, the one involved in the whole “Scandoval” with Ariana Madix—to last long on Alan Cumming’s show, but I was surprised. After he stopped being so nervous at breakfast, he actually provided some really fun drama. He constantly had the wrong ideas about who the “Traitors” were, and it became almost sad to watch his teammates mock him while he sang along to eerie lullabies played by creepy dolls. Despite being totally over the top with his claims of musical talent—and his performances were just as unsettling as the dolls—he genuinely seemed to be trying to play the game honestly. In the end, his performance on “The Traitors” is one of the best reality TV comeback stories, and it was a completely unexpected turn of events. — V.F.

An (alleged) affair to remember on ‘The Real Housewives of Miami’

Okay, so Adriana de Moura isn’t even a full-time cast member, but she always knows how to steal the spotlight and stay relevant. Honestly, when Julia Lemigova revealed she’d slept with Adriana – after they’d had a falling out during the season – I thought that would be all anyone talked about. And it was, for a little while. But then Adriana dropped a bomb of her own! She claimed Julia had cheated on her wife, Martina Navratilova, with a Haitian mortician, and said it with so much conviction! She even went into detail about Julia paying for motel rooms, bringing champagne, and gifting this man a coffee machine. It was seriously wild and took over TikTok. But if you’ve watched the show for a while, you know this isn’t the first time Adriana has created a viral moment. Remember when she wrote a letter as her friend’s liver? She’s a master of the comeback, that’s for sure!

Nataliia’s homage to Ukraine on ‘Great British Baking Show’

@britishbakeoff

Nataliia’s beautiful tribute to Ukraine. #GBBO

♬ original sound – The Great British Bake Off

This baking competition is known for being kind and encouraging, and it consistently amazes me to meet the incredibly talented, yet down-to-earth, home bakers who compete. The latest series featured a particularly lovely group of contestants, including Nataliia Richardson, a Ukrainian immigrant who moved to England with her family shortly before the war. In the first episode, Nataliia created a stunning cake inspired by the Ukrainian landscape – it looked more like a work of art than a baked good! She earned the title of Star Baker that week, and deservedly so. It was a poignant reminder of the strong connection Ukrainian refugees maintain with their homeland, even after being forced to leave.

Robert Irwin’s moves on ‘Dancing With the Stars’

2023 marked a turning point for Robert Irwin, allowing him to emerge as his own personality beyond being known as Steve Irwin’s son. Steve, famous as “The Crocodile Hunter” with his energetic style and signature “Crikey!” catchphrase, captivated audiences with his adventurous wildlife encounters. While Robert shares his father’s passion for animals, he gained attention this year in a surprising way – on the American TV show “Dancing With the Stars.” His appearance wasn’t just about impressive dancing; he quickly became a fan favorite, charming viewers with his personality and skillful performances alongside partner Witney Carson. He provided plenty of viral moments for social media, from funny facial expressions to heartwarming and playful scenes. It was a remarkable transformation, and like his sister Bindi before him, he won the competition. A fitting tribute, indeed, considering his father’s famous exclamation!

Hollywood Inc.

As ‘Dancing With the Stars’ heads into its season 34 finale on Tuesday, executive producer Conrad Green discusses the show’s recent ratings success and its transformation over the past two decades.

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2025-12-23 14:32