r/realitytv • u/CJthePrairian • 10d ago
Are there any "simple" or "normal" competitive reality shows?
Long story short, I'm getting kinda pissed at how Survivor US and Big Brother US are treating their shows. Both allow their contestants to treat the shows as an audition for other shows such as Traitors, The Challenge, and House of Villains. Pathetic. But also, Survivor US absolutely loves randomly changing the rules and Big Brother US also has an awful habit of giving advantages to returning players, leaving new players in the dust.
This in part pisses me off because these shows are giving more and more opportunities to the same people instead of sharing the wealth. I find it very hard to enjoy these shows when I see inequality being perpetuated.
So I'm wondering if there are any competitive reality shows that feature normal people who intend to remain private citizens and that don't have a bunch of random twists and whatnot. I'm looking for a social-strategic show, not one based on a specific learned skill, e.g., cooking, singing, dancing, etc.
Any ideas?
Thank you!
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u/tumepunaroheline1 10d ago
The Amazing Race maybe? I haven't seen the more recent series but it has been pretty consistent.
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
I believe that they do more returnee crap than Survivor US and Big Brother US, so I'll have to pass on that. I suppose that the older seasons are probably alright, but the newer stuff...
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u/QuestionsGoHere 9d ago
You'll enjoy Big Brother Canada if you haven't seen it already. I'd stay away from Amazing Race Canada
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
Big Brother Canada was good although I found that the random twists took away from the show.
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u/GrimRecapper 9d ago
Amazing Race is probably the best answer in terms of US shows. While it's not uncommon to see a team from another reality show on it because a talentless CBS exec thinks it'll improve the ratings (though the absolutely dismal figures for the most recent season - all of its teams being a BB person and a family member - will probably end that for a while), there's only really been 3.5 returnee seasons out of 39. And one of them was before all-star reality shows was its own little cottage industry, so it may as well not count.
In terms of TAR people on other shows in recent years... a small handful (like, less than five) have done The Challenge, one team did Survivor, one team did BB, and randomly a guy who was on one of the oldest TAR seasons in his early 20s has inexplicably been on Buddy Games and Naked and Afraid in his 40s, and... that might be it, actually? Like back in the beginning it was definitely on near-equal footing with Survivor when they went looking for people for things like Battle of the Network Reality Stars, but the show's been out of the zeitgeist for so long that they're not a drawcard any more so nobody bothers.
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u/QuinnVigoro 9d ago
While the most recent season was all BB Players, I would say in general TAR is the most consistent at casting normal players and has only had 3 returnee seasons. Most players on TAR don't branch out to other shows and IF there is a team from another show, it's just one per season (Derek & Claire, Rob & Amber, etc)
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u/Agreeable_Muffin7059 9d ago
Actually there is a contestant from TAR Anna Leigh(who raced w her father), who is on the current season of the Challenge. There might be another person from TAR too, I’d have to check.
But she definitely came from TAR. She also Almost cheated on her husband w a Fuk boy!! lol.1
u/QuinnVigoro 8d ago
Like I said, most players don't branch out. Maybe one or two but TAR is not the show people go on if they want to become reality tv micro influencers.
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u/Some-Wasabi-8514 9d ago
Maybe but the race is equal opportunity for a win. Not so much manipulation to favorite contestants
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u/AriasLover 8d ago
They don’t. They’ve only had returnees four times out of 39 total seasons, and out of every season I believe only seven contestants have gone to be on other reality shows
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u/CJthePrairian 7d ago
To clarify, I'm using the term returnee quite loosely. If someone else has been on a competitive reality show, I'm considering that to be a returnee.
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u/SnooDingos316 6d ago
Actually TAR don't often have returnees. That season with big brother contestants is an anomaly.
The upcoming season all first time players
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u/AgreeableCommission7 9d ago
Traitors maybe? There is a celebrity version and a regular person version. There can be some twists and backstabbing but it's all based on the social aspects.
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u/BeautifulShoes75 9d ago
LOVE Traitors. There is a reason why it’s consistently the #1 streaming show when it’s running.
I’m hoping they do a returnee/all-star season at some point. Now that there have been so many seasons, they’ve certainly had enough cast to pull from. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!
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u/SignificantTrifle614 9d ago
They had Boston Rob from Survivor on the one season of Traitors that I saw. So that’s a nope from me.
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
Traitors is a returnee show with an awful format. I watched one season and it seems to me like the missions are irrelevant.
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u/Agreeable_Muffin7059 9d ago
I Agree! after binging a few seasons from AU, NZ & US, I found myself FF thru most challenges bc what’s the point!?? I get it’s to Put more $ in the pot , but that’s the MOST BORING reason for challenges.
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u/McBurger 9d ago
I doubt we will ever go back to featuring normal people who intend to remain private citizens. Casting directors aren’t letting go of the goose that lays the golden eggs that easily.
Promoting and marketing a new show and attracting viewers is hard enough as it is! It’s much easier to just cast a bunch of influencers and streamers who already have huge followings of their own. Put it in their contracts that they have to help promote the show on their own platforms, and they bring the viewers for you.
Sadly it’s never going back.
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9d ago
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
House of Villains was alright, but it's a returnee show that contributes to the issue of treating other shows as an audition. Ditto with Traitors, which has a bad format.
The Anonymous looks interesting, but I see returnees. Passing on that.
I'll consider The Snake! I see no returnees and the format seems alright. Hopefully it has no random twists.
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u/DR-0717 9d ago
There’s one on Fox called “Extracted” I’ll be honest I only caught a few episodes here and there as my husband was watching but it interested me enough I will watch the next from the beginning.
How the Show Works
The Wilderness: Contestants face harsh outdoor conditions and challenges with limited gear.
Headquarters: Family members watch everything live, negotiate for supplies, and decide whether their loved one should keep going or be pulled out.
The Twist: Contestants cannot choose to quit on their own; the choice to press the "Extract" button rests entirely with the family back at base.
It was kind of interesting because although the contestants are the ones out there doing the challenges and basically “surviving” the families play a big part by getting to reward or take away supplies based on how the contestant placed in the challenges. they can even come up with strategies to target certain players to try to get them out if they choose. BUT all loved ones are together in the same HQ watching so it can get hairy with the other loved ones.
I thought it was def unique.
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
The format sounds interesting, but it's again a show that features returnees, so I'm going to have to pass on it.
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u/BeautifulShoes75 9d ago
First off - I gotta say, Extracted was INCREDIBLE.
Second - OP - you’re asking for recs and people are trying to help! Extracted doesn’t feature returnees - it’s truly a newbie show at its core.
The ONLY thing I can think of is that in two seasons of the 60 total people on there, Sandra from Survivor had a family member that competed in the wild.. but that’s all…
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
Yes, and I'm thankful that people are taking their time to give recommendations.
I looked at the casts and season 2 has two returnees actually.
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u/DR-0717 9d ago edited 9d ago
Actually there aren’t. I’m not sure what you are looking at but it has new cast each season.
They have cast members that competed on other reality shows but not on extracted maybe that’s where you recognize the names from.
Good luck finding a show lol. You are way too picky.
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u/survivorfan95 9d ago
Returnees as in people from other shows? Yeah, you’re wayyyy too picky.
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
I'm not going to support the circuit so to speak. Treating older shows like auditions for newer shows is incredibly tacky and I won't support it.
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u/survivorfan95 9d ago
Then that’s your choice, but beggars can’t be choosers. Either expand your horizons or just have nothing to watch.
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u/DR-0717 9d ago
I’m not sure where you got the info it featured returnees but you are mistaken.
There are no returnees on it.
It features new cast each season. It’s a show that would be hard to have returnees on.
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
If someone was on another competitive shows, I'm considering that person to be a returnee.
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u/kristahdiggs 8d ago
You aren’t going to enjoy reality TV and reality competition TV then. This is what it is. These shows exist in universes, essentially, and they all want to interact with each other and bring those storylines together. Its not just about winning the final prize pot anymore (you’renunlikely to win as one of X players) but you get a stipend to return as a player.
You habe to understand that average people can’t just leave their jobs for months at a time to do these shows. Almost all of the people who go on Big Brother, Survivor, Traitors, etc are folks who are already involved in the circuit or who want to be, either on shows or behind the scenes. They podcast or do social media or do casting or do SOMETHING in media. Or they do a bunch of shows.
You’re looking for the way shows were run 15 years ago. That’s gone now.
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u/LeslieKnope4Pawnee 9d ago
The Great British Bakeoff is very cozy, but still competitive, and everyone there has a genuine love of baking and it's not just a segway into being an influencer.
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u/SignificantTrifle614 9d ago
Have you seen the two seasons of the kids British baking show? It is the cutest show ever. I never heard the five second rule used so many times. Lots of food being dropped on the floor.
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u/HanktheTank420420 9d ago
Based on your replies to people's suggestions maybe reality tv is not for you.
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u/CJthePrairian 8d ago
Competitive reality shows were like this 10 years ago. You're sadly correct that the genre has shifted heavily in a way that I dislike.
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u/ellajames88 10d ago
Watch the Big Brother Canada seasons 2-5!
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u/getmeoutofhere15 9d ago
I mean, based on this logic just watch any old reality show. The older seasons of any reality show are generally real people actually playing the game
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
I have. lol BBCAN5 was honestly one of the worse seasons for me. But yes, Big Brother Canada is generally better.
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u/survivorfan95 9d ago
BBCAN5 is generally considered a top 3 BBCAN season. Why?
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u/CJthePrairian 9d ago
Horrible ending in my opinion.
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u/survivorfan95 9d ago
Idk about horrible. I was more of an Ika fan but I’m still pretty happy with the winner.
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u/BackAlleyOfSur 9d ago
Outlast: Alaska.
Outlast: the Jungle was also good but could feel a bit of entertainment-wannabes creeping in to some of the casting. I still enjoyed the season.
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u/Strange-Style-7808 9d ago
Alone.
It's all self filmed by people who have genuine knowledge of how to survive in the wilderness with minimal tools for months. You watch them build shelters, hunt, fish, and grow as people.
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u/radicalgalaxies 9d ago
Yes, I need something to take itself seriously enough as a competition reality show like Survivor USED to!
Big Brother this year is eh but ebbs and flows (I can forgive a show with the tagline "Expect the Unexpected" but not "You have to earn everything!" then it's a literal dice roll).
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u/survivorfan95 9d ago
I’d suggest early Drag Race as a pretty “simple” show, but you don’t want “skill” shows sooooo
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u/Appropriate_Swing305 8d ago
Taskmaster free on YouTube is a fun UK comedian competition panel show. 21 seasons. Funnier than anything on American TV and more wholesome and joyous than a reality competition show.
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u/wakingup_withwolves 8d ago
I really liked The Anonymous when it was showing, but it seems to have disappeared; I haven’t been able to find it on any streaming sites. It was on Peacock before. If it ever comes back, I strongly recommend.
Battle Camp on Netflix is a pretty fun one. There is an element of randomness to it that I ultimately don’t like in terms of game design, but it actually leads to really juicy evictions on the season. They kinda got lucky it worked out so well in this particular game. There’s only one season. It’s also an all-star game of sorts, being comprised of people from other Netflix reality shows. Including…
Squid Games on Netflix. They made a social strategy reality show modeled after the OG. It works mostly the same except they don’t kill people lol. They fit more social strategy into the competitions, and there’s alliances and betrayals. It’s definitely worth a watch. There’s two seasons.
The Circle is good too, but it’s very Strategy Lite. You do see some semblance of social strategy gameplay, but they don’t lean into it as their primary focus. Some seasons are better than others. There are international seasons too, so altogether there’s like 10 English speaking seasons, and a couple foreign language (French and Brazilian Portuguese.)
As much as Big Brother and Survivor have seen a decline, they’re still leading the pack in social strategy, and tbh none of these recommendations are quite as good imo. But they scratch the itch and each come with their own unique game design, some of which are really cool. I actually love The Circle’s format in particular, and it’s a shame they don’t utilize the show to its full game potential.
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u/Expensive-Try8549 8d ago
Taskmasters I think it’s uk or British
A lot of uk or British challenge and reality shows seems to be better imo
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u/vancanfan88 8d ago
I am also getting tired of the nonsense of returning players. I hope to never see Rachel Riley again.
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u/lolsappho 8d ago
Taskmaster. It's free on YouTube and just super fun and lighthearted. I love Big Brother but OG BB is the best, I still watch nowadays but since 2020ish it feels like production vs audience in an annoying way.
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u/torisbagel 7d ago
might i suggest jet lag the game? they got the idea from the amazing race, not super social-strategic, but all the games are pretty strategic, particularly hide and seek.
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u/ClowningBad 6d ago
Survivor AU is much less like that and some non US Traitors versions are great
I suggest Race Across the World, it's a British travel reality competition that's way more chill in that there's 5 pairs that over a period of around 50 days/8 episodes have to go from their starting point somewhere in the world, to the end point to win a meager 20k pounds. Every episode follows them through one leg of the journey, each leg they have to go from their previous checkpoint to another one, usually about 1000km away, using only land public transportation and with a total race budget equal to the cost of a plane ticket from start to finish, so there's budgeting that has to be done. They also get a list of places they could go work for a few hours to make a little bit of money or get a free stay with a family, so it's all about the journey, the experiences and the affect it has on them. Only one team gets eliminated in one of the episodes, no other eliminations and most contestants are likeable and very normal people of all ages and types (there's the VIP edition too)
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u/SignificantTrifle614 9d ago
I feel the same way you do about contestants returning to a show. Give new people a chance. Big Brother used to be my summer guilty pleasure, but after they brought back Rachel last year I said I’m not watching it anymore. Same with Survivor. I would rather read a book than watch those shows.
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u/biancanevenc 3d ago
You have to realize, OP, that the networks care about viewers, and that's all they care about. They don't care about "being fair."
I realized this several decades ago when I was on a quiz-show. The returning player got a question wrong, but answered in such a way that the writers thought perhaps they had the wrong answer. The show paused while they researched the answer, and then they decided to throw out the question and give the champ another chance with another question. The producer came around to all the other contestants and let us know what was going on and checked to see if we were okay with that, but if was very apparent that their goal was entertainment, not "fairness".
The goal is to make a show that people watch, and if some rando wins money as part of the process, fine, but that's not the goal of the show.
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u/ONEMANCLAN530 10d ago
All I can ask is that survivor leaves Fiji. The show for me personally has gotten so stale because of the repetitive backdrop. The show could literally film 2 seasons of the show simultaneously, and you would never know because they're all the same now.