In the second decade of the 21st century, the human race finally has a reality show that resembles the world they see around them, or, at least, what they would see if they spend all their time on social media. Welcome to Netflix's The Circle, the future of reality television.
The Circle is a television series that will make viewers wonder if Twitter had a baby with The Real World. After watching The Circle, rather than checking Facebook, try out these shows that should fill the void until Season 2 debuts. Let's recount other binge-worthy reality shows that, in their own right, are just as groundbreaking.
Married At First Sight
Anyone who wants a happily ever after with their significant other, it is probably best to not be a contestant on this show. However, for those who like out of this world scorched Earth drama, this is the ideal show.
After getting married in a non-legally binding wedding, these couples - who are made for each other on paper - must contend with the highs and lows of married life. Learn what happens to strangers married on the first date, and binge-watch Married At First Sight.
Extreme Love
This show is a mixture of cringe-worthy and binge-worthy at the same time. The relationships on this show seem taboo but, surprisingly, are ones that viewers will root for. Besides, what other show has vampires in love? That alone makes Extreme Love a must-watch.
In an age where even reality shows are scripted, Extreme Love is a breath of fresh air that will keep viewers gasping. Whether it is polyamorous love, grandmas who love to get their grooves on, or a woman with a slime fetish, this show has everything one could imagine and sometimes more.
Survivor
At the time of its creation, Survivor was on an island all to itself when it came to reality shows. While it goes in a completely different direction when it comes to modern technology, similarities do exist between Survivor and The Circle.
Contestants must rely on their relationships with others to survive. Alliances are formed and broken, along with the contestants' personalities coming to the surface. So, for viewers who need a break from social media reality shows, Survivor might help pass the time until season 2 of The Circle arrives.
Dating Around
Dating Around might not be one of the more original concepts on this list but not every reality show has to reinvent the wheel! One thing that makes Dating Around unique is that one contestant will go on a date with five strangers, whose backgrounds and sexual orientations can be completely different from the contestant, forcing the participants to go outside of their comfort zones.
While Dating Around does have some drama and relies a bit on shock value, the show mostly sticks to what attracts viewers to reality shows in the first place: Relatable experiences.
Big Brother
Like Survivor, Big Brother has been on television for a long time, but the concept of the show hasn't aged. Strangers must figure out a way to live with each other, without electronics, in a house they cannot leave. As each contestant tries to stave off elimination, the competitions are geared towards breaking friendships and testing loyalties.
Each competition varies, as it can be anything from individual, skill-based, or team-based, with eliminations taking place on live television. Sometimes the strong survive, sometimes the crafty, either way, Big Brother is just the backstabbing television fans demand.
Naked And Afraid
A show that appeals to the lowest common denominator, sexual attraction, in the guise of a skill-based survivalist's dream has serious pros and cons. That said, Naked and Afraid is reality television at its finest that mixes high octane drama, human survival, and conflict.
No matter their conflicts, contestants are forced to work as a team as a means of surviving against mother nature for 21 days. Naked and Afraid is a reality show that goes beyond simple expulsion rules and has a "survive or die" attitude.
The Masked Singer
Is it a celebrity version of American Idol with peacock costumes? Yes, but who doesn't think that sounds like an amazing concept for a reality show? The celebrity judges outlandish guesses alone, are worth the watch.
Every single one of the masked singers is a talented performer and singer, making the decision of who gets unmasked heartbreaking. Viewers who pay attention to pop culture trends or are music enthusiasts who enjoy picking favorites and being distraught when they are eliminated will find The Masked Singer at the top of their must-watch list.
Spy Games
For those clamoring for a James Bond related reality television show, your voices have been heard. Spy Games is the most unique reality-based show on the list, one that offers a sense of mystery that fans of The Circle are likely to enjoy. Contestants are put through the rigors of being a world-class spy while being trained by experts in the field.
Missions on Spy Games include things like lock picking and intelligence gathering. Those who do not have an inner 007 are shipped off, while those who demonstrate the appropriate techniques move that much closer to the $100,000 prize.
90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days
For those unfamiliar with 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days, it deals with couples in long-distance relationships who meet for the first time and then marry before their 90-day visas expire.
Fans of The Circle will enjoy the drama that boils to the surface as online lies become real-world problems. Secret lives are exposed, with each couple struggling to move past simple but convoluted complications like language barriers and societal norms. This reality show puts love and patience to the test as fan-favorite couples fall apart, presenting the most real-world experience viewers could ask for.
Catfish
Catfish and The Circle have more in common than casual fans of both shows might think. Each show works with individuals, who only know the person or persons they are talking to through social media sites. Both shows speak to how much humans really trust each other, even going so far as to explore relationships and love that transpire under the cover of illusion.
Although concepts such as catfishing are explored on both shows, The Circle accepts the practice as a part of the competition. Conversely, Catfish investigates requests by people to see if their online partner is for real.