The most promising reality TV shows of 2020 are as diverse as the people who star in them. From fashion to dancing to health and wellness, reality TV is upping its game to rope in viewers and cause many viral moments in the process. For fans with a sweet tooth, Girl Scout Cookie Championship is a must-see. Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother) hosts the four-part series which challenges bakers to create delicious desserts using the popular cookies. Former Top Chef host Katie Lee will serve as a judge on the show along with Nacho Aguirre and a third judge from a rotating panel, which includes Carla Hall. Hall, Lee, and Hannigan also get candid about their time as Girl Scouts, and the competition will also feature recollections from the contestants who were Scouts as well. Fans will get their chance to fall in love with the fun and flavor when it debuts Monday.
Flirty Dancing is reality show that looked like it had a long future here in the United States. The British import offered an interesting premise: Two singles respectively learn a choreographed dance then come together and dance that routine as their first meeting with each other. Will sparks fly? Will they miss a step? That's the beauty of the show. Flirty Dancing was a huge hit in its debut week, but it seems that viewers may have failed to connect with the show.
Fox Alternative President Rob Wade is just as puzzled by the show's spotty debut. He told Deadline, "The first number was great, the second number went down. I have never done a show ever that has had so much positive press on it. It looks like no other show on television. I obviously want the numbers to be better, but I believe in the show, I’ve made a commitment to myself to try and bring new ideas. We have an opportunity in unscripted, I don’t want to play it too safe." Maybe Wade won't have to. So many shows that fail on networks get picked up by the streaming services, so don't count out Flirty Dancing just yet.
Pivoting over to fans who with a strong constitution, there's TLC's My Feet Are Killing Me. Dr. Ebonie Vincent and Dr. Brad Schaeffer will do for funky feet what Dr. Pimple Popper (also on the same network) does for boils and pus sacs. Next on the list is Next in Fashion. This show is Netflix's answer to Project Runway. Hosted by Queer Eye's Tan France and style icon and fashion designer Alexa Chung, Next in Fashion will feature established designers vying for $250,000, and will also get to debut their collection with Net-a-Porter. The show premieres Jan. 29 on Netflix. Finally, for viewers who need a little excitement in their lives, watch Bravo's Spy Games. This show is based on the once-secret World War II government program known as "Station S," in which everyday people were trained to be spies. On Spy Games, 10 contestants will come together to outplay each other in the ultimate spy fantasy.
It seems like the networks are finally getting the message that viewers want more diversity in programming. In 2020, the shows are inventive, charming, and have the high production value that used to be reserved for scripted television or films. Therefore, it's now up to audiences to support the shows that resonate with them. While the fate of Flirty Dancing is still undetermined, it's a prime example of what happens when good TV gets caught in the crossfires.
Source: Marie Claire, Deadline