10 Reality shows that attracted way too much controversy

History will attest that, if entertaining, such reality shows are sure to offend. Some secretly compel contestants under dire situations; others publicly mislead with half-truths. Some reality shows scornfully exploit horrific practices such as extreme violence where all manner of criminal acts held sway.

The backlash ranged from Kid Nation seemingly endangering children to Jackass appearing to encourage reckless stunts. The Swan and The Biggest Loser, on the other hand, fostered harmful beauty standards on participants and had lasting negative effects. Meanwhile, Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Teen Mom straddled the short, slippery line between entertainment and harmful influence, redefining societal norms in ways that many consider seriously problematic.

These shows were criticized nevertheless, for whatever reason, their marketing ploys revolved around the same. Some got canceled after the public outrage, others molded themselves, and others rebranded to stay afloat. Here are ten reality shows that have stirred up controversy, been dragged into legal issues, or stained the genre.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's personal opinion which might not align with the views of the readers. Any recommendations or rectifications are welcome in the comments below.

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1. Kid Nation (2007)

A social experiment, CBS's Kid Nation was essentially a 40-children experiment to create their society in a ghost town; but it turned into an ethical and legal fiasco. Reports emerged that the children were denied medical attention for burns and injuries; some claimed they wanted to leave but were contractually trapped. Seriously, they were afraid for their safety with so little adult supervision. Later, parents revealed that they had unknowingly signed waivers preventing them from suing CBS, much to the backlash. After one season, amid public outrage, it was quietly canceled, thus keeping its disturbing legacy alive.

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2. Jackass (2000–2002)

The reckless stunts that formed the base of MTV's Jackass became a hazard to public sanity as they conjured consequences. Lawsuits piled, after which audiences replicated dangerous hoaxes, despite onscreen warnings. It fueled bigger controversies as casualties, injuries, and fatalities happened when incidents became copycats, thereby eliciting calls from politicians to cancel the show. Bam Margera, a cast member, further revealed how much it took a toll physically and mentally on the participants. Johnny Knoxville incurred many concussions and broken bones.

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3. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (2012–2014)

It was originally a lighthearted view of child pageantry star Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson and her unusual family but soon turned serious. TLC canceled the show abruptly when it was reported that Alana's mother, June Shannon, was said to have been dating a convicted child molester. Further revelations alleged that he had also abused one of her daughters, and thus the decision was quick and final for TLC. Even after the show was canceled, the family continued to be in the news for drug-related arrests and custody battles, as well as jaw-dropping weight loss transformations.

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4. Toddlers & Tiaras (2009–2016)

What was intended as a glimpse into the world of child beauty pageants grew to become one of television's most controversial shows? Toddlers & Tiaras was criticized for objectifying its young contestants, some of whom were dressed up in lingerie, fake teeth, and heavy makeup by their parents. Certain episodes featured eyebrow-raising performances like one where a child impersonated Julia Roberts' courtesan character from Pretty Woman. Pediatric psychologists warned about the hazards of long-term psychological damage; however, the greater scrutiny fell upon pageant culture itself.

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5. Big Brother (Multiple Seasons, Various Countries)

Hardly any reality show has brought out more scandals than Big Brother. Contestants have sometimes been caught on live feeds insulting others with se*ist, homophobic, and racist remarks which lead to public outrage and expulsions from the show. The UK and the US versions have had several cases of housemates using slurs or displaying violent conduct, while some international versions even had accusations of se*ual assault happening "on camera." Some ex-contestants talked about how the producers edited footage for drama purposes, and at times, that resulted in mental health issues. Housemates became distressed by a post-show backlash.

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6. 16 and Pregnant / Teen Mom (2009–Present)

At first, the show was hailed for deploying a critical spotlight on teenage motherhood; however, quickly, it became apparent that such exposure did unintended harm. Critics argued it glamorized youth pregnancy, not the least because some of the show's stars would gain massive social media followings that could then be turned into sponsorship deals. These then produce formerly ordinary girls: Farrah Abraham and Jenelle Evans, but later celebrities who would be most famous for their scandals ranging from scandalous court arrests to adult content careers more so than for their parenting.

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7. The Swan (2004)

One of the most exploitative reality TV shows is The Swan by Fox. It involves contestants going from six to twelve different occasions of plastic surgeries while not disclosing the results until a final veiling. Tagging these women ugly, they will enter into a contest for beauty pageants and this would reinforce total misconceptions regarding beauty standards. Many former contestants later came out speaking on regret and were suffering from body dysmorphia and other mental issues. The Swan is remembered today as an unhealthy relic of the early 2000s reality TV with no chance of revival in an age of body positivity.

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8. Joe Millionaire (2003, 2022)

Fox's Joe Millionaire reportedly misleads its contestants into thinking they are vying for the affection of a rich bachelor only to reveal that he is not wealthy at the end of the show. Though it was a ratings bonanza, it was criticized for the way it palters reality and the views it appears to perpetuate, that of women as exploiters. Some contestants claimed later they were misled as to the full nature of the twist. The format was revived in 2022 with Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer, which toned down the deception by using both a rich and a middle-class bachelor.

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9. Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021)

A pop culture behemoth, Keeping Up with the Kardashians made its family billionaires, but not without scandal. The show was accused quite often of dramatizing, scripting, and keeping up toxic beauty standards. From Kim Kardashian's 72-day marriage stunt to blackfishing and cultural appropriation, there have been controversies. How the family shapes trends about plastic surgeries- for instance, the increasing popularity of Brazilian butt lifts (BBL)- has given rise to debates concerning body image among young women. In fact, the Kardashians have gone on with the reality reign after the end of the successful show, airing on Hulu, The Kardashians.

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10. The Biggest Loser (2004–2016, 2020)

Eagle initially considered the reality show to have been inappropriate for encouraging weight loss but criticized later for its alleged health dangers. The ex-cast gave disclosures about hard-core dehydration and caloric deficits, not to mention alluding to anything and everything being taken to shred pounds off them. Research indicated that many of the contestants rebounded from the weight losses due to metabolic slowdown - further evidence proving how unsustainable the methods really are. The uproar turned loud enough that on its return in 2020, the show reverted to a whole new "healthier" model.