Reality TV experienced a boom in the early 2000s, and its popularity has never really let up since. The genre and definition of "reality TV" are nebulous, with many people considering competition shows to be a form of reality television. Whatever the case, there's no denying that the expansive genre has remained at the top of the public spotlight for the last two decades.
Of course, as is the case with any type of television, there are winners and losers. Reality TV is not created equally, and there is a lot of great TV to mine from the bad. But according to the Emmys, these are the best of the best.
American High (2000): 1 Emmy Win
Fox's American High was not a ratings success, and very few people even remember it. Made by documentary filmmaker R.J. Cutler, American High follows 14 students from Illinois's Highland Park High School. Unfortunately, Fox canceled the show after just four episodes aired, prompting PBS to pick it up and air the remainder.
Regardless of its commercial disappointment, the show earned critical praise and won the inaugural award for Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (which is now known as Outstanding Structured Reality Program). It's well worth watching for fans of Freaks and Geeks and similar high school-set dramas.
Deadliest Catch (2005 - ): 1 Emmy Win
Deadliest Catch is one of the most popular reality programs ever aired on the Discovery Channel. As of 2021, the show has aired 17 seasons and 280 episodes since its inception in 2005. It follows fishermen as they brave the dangers of the Bering Sea while fishing for Alaskan crab.
The show has earned consistent critical acclaim since its inception. It earned five nominations for Outstanding Nonfiction Series and eight for its successor, Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, for a total of 13 nominations. It finally took home its first and only win at the 66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2014.
Undercover Boss (2010 - ): 2 Emmy Wins
A huge success for CBS, Undercover Boss has aired 10 seasons and 120 episodes since its inception in 2010. The concept is simple (if a little far-fetched): the CEO of a corporation goes undercover as a new hire and learns about the faults of the company through its employees.
The series earned four straight nominations for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program between 2010 and 2013 and won in both 2012 and 2013. It beat out the likes of MythBusters, Deadliest Catch, and Shark Tank to take home the top prize.
Kathy Griffin My Life On The D-List (2005 - 2010): 2 Emmy Wins
Airing on Bravo between 2005 and 2010, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List follows the life and professional career of famous comedian Kathy Griffin. In a funny twist of irony, the show proved both a commercial and critical success, taking Griffin out of the D-list to strong ratings and several accolades.
All six of its seasons were nominated for Outstanding Reality Program, and it won the prestigious award for its second and third seasons in 2007 and 2008. Its only other win was a GLAAD Media Award for Best Reality Program.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2003 - 2020): 2 Emmy Wins
While some felt that it could border on the maudlin at times, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was a touching reality program that blended tragic personal interest stories with well-produced home makeover segments. It aired for nine seasons between 2004 and 2012 and was recently revived by HGTV for a 10th.
The series earned five nominations for Outstanding Structured Reality Program between 2004 and 2008 and earned two back-to-back wins at the 57th and 58th Primetime Emmy Awards.
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009 - ): 3 Emmy Wins
This reality program has changed a lot over time, and many of those changes are for the better. Airing on both Logo and VH1, RuPaul's Drag Race has been airing since 2009, but the critical acclaim didn't come until much later.
The show didn't earn its first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Competition Program until its ninth season in 2017. However, this kickstarted five straight nominations, and the show won the award in three consecutive years between 2018 and 2020. The 73rd Emmys, taking place on September 19, 2021, may prove to be its fourth.
Queer Eye (2018 - ): 3 Emmy Wins
Queer Eye was an instant hit for Netflix, featuring a remarkable cast, great production value, and some emotional makeovers. It's a remake/reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which itself won the Emmy for Outstanding Structured Reality Program in 2004.
Queer Eye was an immediate critical success, and it has won every Outstanding Structured Reality Program award since its inaugural year in 2018. Its nomination at the 73rd Emmys has proven its fourth straight nomination, and it may also prove its fourth straight win.
Shark Tank (2009 - ): 4 Emmy Wins
Shark Tank managed to make the business of entrepreneurial investment fun and exciting. The concept originated with the Japanese program Money Tigers, which in turn launched the famous Dragons' Den franchise around the world.
A great American iteration, Shark Tank has earned consistent acclaim, with most of its praise going towards the charismatic investors. The series has earned nine straight nominations for Outstanding Structured Reality Program since 2012, and it won four consecutive times between 2014 and 2017.
The Voice (2011 - ): 4 Emmy Wins
For many, The Voice seemed like nothing more than a cheap rip-off of American Idol. However, it managed to find its own identity through some unique twists and notable celebrity judges, which have included Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, and Ariana Grande.
The series earned eight straight nominations for Outstanding Competition Program between 2012 and 2019, and it has won four times - in 2013 and three consecutive times between 2015 and 2017.
The Amazing Race (2001 - ): 10 Emmy Wins
The Amazing Race is easily the most celebrated reality program of all time. Ever since its inception in 2001, The Amazing Race has earned consistent critical acclaim for its dexterous editing, expansive scope, unique gameplay, and thrilling locations.
Since 2003, the show has earned 17 nominations for Outstanding Competition Program, with 2020 being the only year in which it did not receive a nomination. It has also won the award a record 10 times, which included seven consecutive wins between 2003 and 2009. Aside from those seven, the show has also won in 2011, 2012, and 2014.