Hit the Rewind Button: 11 Deeply Nostalgic Reality TV Shows

Reality TV has absolutely dominated a large chunk of that precious media streaming space for a long time now. People just seem to love to watch other people get together in occasionally exotic, sometimes disgusting, places to befriend, fall in love, and outright war with one another. The drama brings the viewers back, and there’s no short supply of new shoes that will capitalize on that. With that being said, the reality shows of nowadays can’t really compare to the reality TV shows of the past. Things were just even crazier, and taken too far back then. We’ll take a look at some of those nostalgic reality TV shows that wouldn’t make it nowadays.

1. Road Rules

Road Rules was an infamous MTV reality show that was inspired by MTV’s previous, The Real World. Road Rules was only MTV’s second reality show. It made its debut on July 19, 1995 and then braked to its bitter end on May 9, 2007. The series itself followed around six complete strangers that were aged between 18-24 years old. These wayfaring strangers were all without any money, and then subjected to living in an RV, while traveling from place to place. They would find clues and complete missions while out on the road. You can imagine how things would spiral out of control quickly.

2. The Mole

Of all the nostalgic reality TV shows that we’re covering, The Mole really had its own kind of cult following. This reality game show was initially broadcasted on ABC from 2001-2008, and then it was brought back for more shenanigans on Netflix in 2022. The Mole involves different contestants banding together to work as a team, while adding money to a pot that ultimately only one person will walk away with. Yikes. Within the team there also happens to be a person who is, “the Mole.” The producers pick this special person. The Mole basically makes it their life’s work to upend the group’s attempts at successfully completing tasks. At the end of each episode, the contestant who ends up knowing the least amount of information about the Mole, as is confirmed through a multiple choice quiz, is then eliminated from the show. The final contestant takes home the grand prize.

3. Bug Juice

Bug Juice was the original Disney Channel reality TV series that made its debut back on February 28, 1998. The reality TV series was focused on a group of 20 kids and their various adventures, mishaps, triumphs, etc. while away at summer camp. You can only imagine how ridiculous a reality TV series could get when it involves a bunch of rambunctious kids.

4. Rock School

Rock School was a widely loved British reality TV series that starred Gene Simmons from the infamous, the notorious, the legendary rock band, Kiss. Simmons had but a short period of time to work to salvage a classroom of misguided schoolchildren and convert them into an all-out rock band. The band would then go on to perform in an actual supporting slot for a leading rock band.

5. Real TV

Real TV was all about featuring both home and amateur videos. The videos that were featured themselves would often show intense rescue missions, escapes, stunts, and other gritty accidents. Real TV also made sure to steer clear of showing any clips that actually contained violence or injury. The clips would be overlaid with a narration that was recorded by the show’s host, and then paired with a soundtrack to really escalate the sense of drama in the show.

6. MTV’s Fear

MTV’s Fear was an obsessed after paranormal reality TV series that pretty much gave way to the reality TV genre itself. The series followed a group of five or even more contestants who were “left” at a supposed haunted location. From there they’d be swamped by a numerous dares over the course of but two nights. These dares would lead them around the premises, and require them to actually explore the location to see if it’s haunted or not. The series ultimately wasn’t long for the land of the living because it was too costly to produce each episode at the time.

7. Wife Swap

Wife Swap was a viral sensation of an American reality TV series that involved two different families, from two very different social classes that would occasionally swipe wives/mothers/husbands/fathers for two whole weeks. To make matters even more interestingly dysfunctional, the series would make sure to swap wives that were on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Think a career-obsessed wife being swapped with a stay-at-home mom that never wanted to get caught up in such a life in the first place. You can imagine how quickly testy things could become.

8. MTV’s Room Raiders

Oh boy, talk about some serious boundary issues. On Room Raiders either three men or three women would proceed to have their rooms inspected (but actually raided) by another outside single man or woman. This person never meets or sees any of the people that are about to have their rooms bombarded upon. The personal photographs of the contestants are also removed from their rooms. By the episode’s ending, the raider then opts to go out on a date with one of the contestants. But get this: This high-stakes decision is made based on the contents of the person’s room. I mean, wow. Just, wow.

9. Survivor: Borneo

You’ve no doubt heard of the acclaimed reality TV series, Survivor. But, the question is have you heard of or seen the original, first season of the show? If so, you can count yourself amongst the real deal, day one fans. The season began with 16 total contestants. These contestants were given the lofty task of surviving out in a remote part of Borneo, Malaysia with hardly any tools or supplies. This is also where Jeff Probst made his own big debut as the show’s host. If you’ve met a fan of Survivor, you’ve either met a lover or a hater of Jebb Probst. It can so easily go both ways with those sentiments of “wisdom” that he raps off while he keeps the warring Survivor factions from tearing each other apart.

10. Elimidate

ElimiDate is one of those TV names that just sticks with you, whether you like it or not. This American reality TV dating show featured one contestant that would choose between four contestants by basically eliminating them person by person, over three rounds. The show gained its popularity for the spicy drama, and for the fact that it’d air just around or past midnight. College students in particular seemed to take an unshakable liking to the show. Maybe it was fun to watch after a late night being out and about.

11. The Real World

The Real World had its big on MTV from 1992 to 2017. In fact, The Real World is the longest-running program that’s existed in MTV history, and really given its credit for helping kick off the modern reality TV genre. The premise of the show is that 7-8 young adults are selected to go and temporarily live in a new city together in one “home”, while they’re being filmed the whole time. The show got a bit of a bad rap though for basically spotlighting a steady series of wildly immature and downright ridiculous behavior.