when it comes to reality shows sometimes
a line or two is crossed eight glass at
parties bars friend get-togethers I love
reactions I get from people welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
down our picks for the top ten
controversial reality shows for this
list we’re going back through
televisions storied history to find the
reality shows whose content was
questionable at best and heavily
criticized at worst we’re not including
any shows that didn’t make it to air
such as all my babies mamas our focus
here is strictly on programs that have
had the chance to make an impact for
better or worse
number ten teen mom their stories
continue now teenagers have a tough
enough time without having a child to
worry about when I got pregnant in high
school I gave up a lot cheerleading
friends and a love life playing off this
idea in 2009 teen mom was born as a way
to chronicle the lives and hardships of
four teenage mothers previously featured
in the first season of 16 and pregnant
you watch the four of us become 16 and
pregnant though the concept may be
interesting the show received some
criticism for glamorizing teen pregnancy
to say nothing of its stars questionable
decisions and aggressive behavior
number nine there’s something about
Miriam there was indeed something going
on here
but we don’t necessarily condone how it
was handled I tried to be honest with
all of you I’ve much as I can
yes I’m from Mexico I’m a model and I’m
21 in this limited reality series
Mexican model Miriam was wooed by six
men each competing for a trip with
Miriam and 10,000 pounds I’m not a woman
I was born as a man however there was a
catch Miriam was a pre-op transgender
woman a fact only revealed to the men in
the last of six episodes this detail
angered many transgender groups and
critics who viewed the show’s premise as
cruel even the six men were up in arms
banding together to sue the show for
damages I’m feeling very shocked really
number eight Big Brother tonight
Big Brother is back with another season
of drama fun and betrayal when a show
shares a name with a fictional symbol
for all-encompassing Authority you know
it’s something unique named after the
character from George Orwell’s book 1984
this franchise has built itself on a
reasonably simple premise set up cameras
in a group house insert some competitors
and let the sparks fly controversy is
not unknown across the 50-plus
incarnations of Big Brother which
includes footage showing competitors
making bigoted remarks or resorting to
bullying alongside allegations of game
rigging I mean I’m just saying we’re
gonna win to put that positivity out
there number seven
jackass hi I’m johnny Knoxville welcome
to jackass nothing quite like self harm
and death-defying stunts for the
audience’s amusement right my name is
johnny Knoxville and today I’m going to
jump the LA River well from the outset
of this MTV shows two-year run
jackass built a reputation for some of
the most risky stunts and pranks on
television which can be divisive for
people US Senator Joe Lieberman for
instance sent a letter to MTV’s parent
company Viacom the senator felt that
airing the show posed a threat to
children while we’re not sure about the
show’s direct effect on kids it has been
stated as the inspiration behind a 16
year old being doused in gasoline and
set ablaze
yikes number six sister wives one
husband four wives sixteen children
marriage knows no bounds it seems such
appears to be the basis of this reality
show centered around ad salesman Kody
Brown his four wives and their group of
children with Robyn coming along chicks
don’t understand that a guy can have
four best friends focusing on the life
and times of a polygamist family Kim
seemed odd to some especially in the
United States where polygamy is illegal
all of the wives maintain that their
family is better as a result from 2011
to 2013 the Brown family engaged in a
court case questioning if their
situation violated America’s laws
against multiple marriages the Brown
family ultimately won but the show
subject gained notoriety as a result it
is a matter of choice and
of us for choosing that percent on the
same page number five the Jerry Springer
Show this woman lost her virginity at
the age of 13 to the family pet it’s
easy to forget how different TV was in
the 1990s just look at the Jerry
Springer Show a talk show hosted by ex
politician Jerry Springer the show
heavily fixates on two things
sensationalist stories and Mitch show
fights the frequency and degree of
violence in these fights caused several
religious figures and television
personalities to criticize the show in
1998 more intriguing though are
allegations that the fights were staged
and based on a quota it’s certainly
attention-getting and will say that much
number for the Swan such a beautiful
name for such controversial subject
matter
I’ve always been self-conscious about my
nose a little bit my hair my chest size
I always felt frumpy the Swan was a
weekly series about women deemed ugly
being given expensive makeovers and
plastic surgery all leading up to a
beauty pageant she had many breakdowns
and have difficulty sticking to the
program but she stands here today a
radiant beauty much of the show’s
premise and proceedings were heavily
criticized by feminists scholars and
journalists for its perceived
mean-spirited and conformity driven
nature
fortunately for them The Swan suffered
low enough ratings that it was cancelled
before a third season could be greenland
number three my husband’s not gay
uh where’d it begin well this TLC show
kicked off as an hour-long special spot
lighting for Mormon men who were married
to women
we’re also attracted to men I found it’s
more freeing to just acknowledge yeah
that is a beautiful man web and
television critics alike
quickly jumped on the chance to critique
the show debating whether or not it was
worth watching
it’s the upcoming reality show stirring
a real-life controversy this morning I
don’t know how to tell you this but I’m
attracted to men in addition the
organization glad claimed my husband’s
not gay poses a threat based on its
portrayal of homosexuality I’m attracted
to my wife for sure and I’m definitely
attracted to men too regardless it
remains to be seen where the show goes
from here just like I can’t choose not
to be gay I can’t choose not to be a
person of faith number 2
Lockman some tulle toes if you know via
comments uh televisions restraint
loosens a bit more with this fascinating
Danish series consisting of only six
episodes
Lockman is surprising in its simplicity
the host Thomas Blackmon sits with a
male guest a woman walks in and strips
off a bathrobe and flock men and his
guests disgust both the woman’s body and
their roles as men nevertheless the show
raised eyebrows with its questionable
subject matter and perceived sexism
perhaps that’s why the show was canceled
after a mere month on the air wants a
baby but I’m not going to forgive it’s
funny but it’s great go ahead yawn well
before we unveil our number one pick
here are some honorable mentions
one at a time grab my needham time is
wasted there you go you got it you got
it you got it
grab it need it eat it from jr. get one
get one yeah each have to eat five just
grab it and all of a sudden one of the
most salacious things you can imagine
which is child molestation goes in and
people can’t help but look it’s like
watching a train wreck number one
toddlers and tiaras this is among the
most impactful of controversial reality
shows especially considering the
discussions that’s raised toddlers and
tiaras spotlights families involved with
child beauty pageants with toddlers
being the focus a given considering the
title however this has invited criticism
of parents who dress their children and
adult themed costumes and expose them to
potentially great risks the only thing
that I would suggest is a little
smoother hair whether or not the
concerns are valid the show eventually
spawned the spin-off series here comes
honey boo boo make of that what you will
do you agree with our list it’s a big
shock but it’s a shock that still needs
a decision what controversial reality
show draws your eye and having Sister
Wives makes it so that I do have less
time with Kody for more surprising top
10s published every day be sure to
subscribe to watchmojo.com excellent
great we’ll try
a line or two is crossed eight glass at
parties bars friend get-togethers I love
reactions I get from people welcome to
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
down our picks for the top ten
controversial reality shows for this
list we’re going back through
televisions storied history to find the
reality shows whose content was
questionable at best and heavily
criticized at worst we’re not including
any shows that didn’t make it to air
such as all my babies mamas our focus
here is strictly on programs that have
had the chance to make an impact for
better or worse
number ten teen mom their stories
continue now teenagers have a tough
enough time without having a child to
worry about when I got pregnant in high
school I gave up a lot cheerleading
friends and a love life playing off this
idea in 2009 teen mom was born as a way
to chronicle the lives and hardships of
four teenage mothers previously featured
in the first season of 16 and pregnant
you watch the four of us become 16 and
pregnant though the concept may be
interesting the show received some
criticism for glamorizing teen pregnancy
to say nothing of its stars questionable
decisions and aggressive behavior
number nine there’s something about
Miriam there was indeed something going
on here
but we don’t necessarily condone how it
was handled I tried to be honest with
all of you I’ve much as I can
yes I’m from Mexico I’m a model and I’m
21 in this limited reality series
Mexican model Miriam was wooed by six
men each competing for a trip with
Miriam and 10,000 pounds I’m not a woman
I was born as a man however there was a
catch Miriam was a pre-op transgender
woman a fact only revealed to the men in
the last of six episodes this detail
angered many transgender groups and
critics who viewed the show’s premise as
cruel even the six men were up in arms
banding together to sue the show for
damages I’m feeling very shocked really
number eight Big Brother tonight
Big Brother is back with another season
of drama fun and betrayal when a show
shares a name with a fictional symbol
for all-encompassing Authority you know
it’s something unique named after the
character from George Orwell’s book 1984
this franchise has built itself on a
reasonably simple premise set up cameras
in a group house insert some competitors
and let the sparks fly controversy is
not unknown across the 50-plus
incarnations of Big Brother which
includes footage showing competitors
making bigoted remarks or resorting to
bullying alongside allegations of game
rigging I mean I’m just saying we’re
gonna win to put that positivity out
there number seven
jackass hi I’m johnny Knoxville welcome
to jackass nothing quite like self harm
and death-defying stunts for the
audience’s amusement right my name is
johnny Knoxville and today I’m going to
jump the LA River well from the outset
of this MTV shows two-year run
jackass built a reputation for some of
the most risky stunts and pranks on
television which can be divisive for
people US Senator Joe Lieberman for
instance sent a letter to MTV’s parent
company Viacom the senator felt that
airing the show posed a threat to
children while we’re not sure about the
show’s direct effect on kids it has been
stated as the inspiration behind a 16
year old being doused in gasoline and
set ablaze
yikes number six sister wives one
husband four wives sixteen children
marriage knows no bounds it seems such
appears to be the basis of this reality
show centered around ad salesman Kody
Brown his four wives and their group of
children with Robyn coming along chicks
don’t understand that a guy can have
four best friends focusing on the life
and times of a polygamist family Kim
seemed odd to some especially in the
United States where polygamy is illegal
all of the wives maintain that their
family is better as a result from 2011
to 2013 the Brown family engaged in a
court case questioning if their
situation violated America’s laws
against multiple marriages the Brown
family ultimately won but the show
subject gained notoriety as a result it
is a matter of choice and
of us for choosing that percent on the
same page number five the Jerry Springer
Show this woman lost her virginity at
the age of 13 to the family pet it’s
easy to forget how different TV was in
the 1990s just look at the Jerry
Springer Show a talk show hosted by ex
politician Jerry Springer the show
heavily fixates on two things
sensationalist stories and Mitch show
fights the frequency and degree of
violence in these fights caused several
religious figures and television
personalities to criticize the show in
1998 more intriguing though are
allegations that the fights were staged
and based on a quota it’s certainly
attention-getting and will say that much
number for the Swan such a beautiful
name for such controversial subject
matter
I’ve always been self-conscious about my
nose a little bit my hair my chest size
I always felt frumpy the Swan was a
weekly series about women deemed ugly
being given expensive makeovers and
plastic surgery all leading up to a
beauty pageant she had many breakdowns
and have difficulty sticking to the
program but she stands here today a
radiant beauty much of the show’s
premise and proceedings were heavily
criticized by feminists scholars and
journalists for its perceived
mean-spirited and conformity driven
nature
fortunately for them The Swan suffered
low enough ratings that it was cancelled
before a third season could be greenland
number three my husband’s not gay
uh where’d it begin well this TLC show
kicked off as an hour-long special spot
lighting for Mormon men who were married
to women
we’re also attracted to men I found it’s
more freeing to just acknowledge yeah
that is a beautiful man web and
television critics alike
quickly jumped on the chance to critique
the show debating whether or not it was
worth watching
it’s the upcoming reality show stirring
a real-life controversy this morning I
don’t know how to tell you this but I’m
attracted to men in addition the
organization glad claimed my husband’s
not gay poses a threat based on its
portrayal of homosexuality I’m attracted
to my wife for sure and I’m definitely
attracted to men too regardless it
remains to be seen where the show goes
from here just like I can’t choose not
to be gay I can’t choose not to be a
person of faith number 2
Lockman some tulle toes if you know via
comments uh televisions restraint
loosens a bit more with this fascinating
Danish series consisting of only six
episodes
Lockman is surprising in its simplicity
the host Thomas Blackmon sits with a
male guest a woman walks in and strips
off a bathrobe and flock men and his
guests disgust both the woman’s body and
their roles as men nevertheless the show
raised eyebrows with its questionable
subject matter and perceived sexism
perhaps that’s why the show was canceled
after a mere month on the air wants a
baby but I’m not going to forgive it’s
funny but it’s great go ahead yawn well
before we unveil our number one pick
here are some honorable mentions
one at a time grab my needham time is
wasted there you go you got it you got
it you got it
grab it need it eat it from jr. get one
get one yeah each have to eat five just
grab it and all of a sudden one of the
most salacious things you can imagine
which is child molestation goes in and
people can’t help but look it’s like
watching a train wreck number one
toddlers and tiaras this is among the
most impactful of controversial reality
shows especially considering the
discussions that’s raised toddlers and
tiaras spotlights families involved with
child beauty pageants with toddlers
being the focus a given considering the
title however this has invited criticism
of parents who dress their children and
adult themed costumes and expose them to
potentially great risks the only thing
that I would suggest is a little
smoother hair whether or not the
concerns are valid the show eventually
spawned the spin-off series here comes
honey boo boo make of that what you will
do you agree with our list it’s a big
shock but it’s a shock that still needs
a decision what controversial reality
show draws your eye and having Sister
Wives makes it so that I do have less
time with Kody for more surprising top
10s published every day be sure to
subscribe to watchmojo.com excellent
great we’ll try
Please follow and like us: