The top reality TV shows offer the right mix of glamour, romance and drama to liven up a night with the girls. It is fun to watch wealthy housewives bicker and then make up with a swanky luncheon. Each person can cheer for his or her favorite in a dance competition. Youthful audiences can enjoy almost cartoon like comedy and drama. Thanks to the top reality TV shows, there is something for every taste.
The divas of BRAVO lead the reality TV show pack with the wildly popular “Housewives” franchise. The casts have expanded to present fashion, friendships, personalities and blood feuds from all parts of the United States. Enjoy the regional flavors of Orange County and Beverly Hills, California. The New Jersey housewives live with Italian flair. Some prefer the hustle and bustle of New York, while others like the laid-back style of Florida or the southern belles of Atlanta.
The VH1 channel offers two “Mob Wives” franchises set in Chicago and Staten Island. The spouses of real racketeers who have elaborate personalities, life challenges and lifestyles.
Everyone can appreciate a ballroom dancing competition, and “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC is a good choice. The new season features comics Andy Dick and D.L. Hughley. Skater Dorothy Hamill and country music star Kellie Pickler might be the most well prepared contestants. Wynona Judd and Lisa Vanderpump complete the mature women’s category. Alexandra Raisman, Victor Ortiz and Jacoby Jones are in the Athlete’s corner.
“The Bachelor” on ABC is an odd duck in the reality show genre. After losing audience over several seasons, the show is now more popular than ever. According to The New York Times, chiseled, handsome bachelor Sean Lowe returned to choose his bride from a new cast of characters. As a former favorite, Lowe appeals to the traditional audience who loves romance in beautiful settings. Social media helps to attract a younger audience who use the Internet to chat and joke while the show is on.
Style TV offers a younger and livelier version of the rich girls’ club with two shows, “Big Rich Atlanta” and “Big Rich Texas” where the cast takes their outrageous fights and ridiculous styles to new levels. Highlights include a bright green, shoulder-padded formal dress that set a new record for tackiness. If ill-tempered rich girls are too annoying, stay with Style TV for “Clean House” or “Supernanny” where experts clean up the worst housekeeping and childcare disasters.
MTV has “Snooki and JWow”, two beloved holdouts from the scandalous “Jersey Shore” reality series. The crazy days are over as the girls have settled down to keep their friendship going. Snooki is now a new mom with a shapely new figure and JWow is engaged to her longtime boyfriend.
The Learning Channel left learning behind and went for pure, thoughtless fun with Honey Boo Boo and her Mama June. Mother and daughter started with the pageant circuit and became a wildly popular comedy team. No girl’s night would be complete without stopping in at “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” and setting for a spell.
When a girls’ night is about new style and design ideas, the romance, celebrity gossip and glamour of reality TV shows can break the ice and inspire conversation without taking any of it too seriously.
Eric Halberg is the busy dad of three teenage girls. When he has free time, he loves to blog about entertainment and family life on various websites.