From ‘Top Chef’ to ‘Property Brothers, These 10 Reality Shows Are Perfect for Mom
Reality TV has gone from a guilty pleasure to a cultural phenomenon, and women have long been the source of the most entertaining moments in the genre. Not only do the ladies hold the genre down as cast members, but for a long time the audience was largely the girls and the gays. These days, however, with A-list celebrities like Rihanna and Jennifer Lawrence frequently gushing about their favorite reality TV moments, hetero-leaning men have also felt more comfortable weighing in as well. Hollywood heavyweights like Ben Stiller espousing his favorite Bravo opinions has opened the door for other dads to feel welcome to make a foray into the genre as well. But the reality TV genre rose to its great heights through the ladies’ viewership, and this list is all about the best shows for moms.
Reality TV is such a flexible genre, it has a series for every possible mom moment. If the kids are finally asleep, and she needs to unwind with a dark crime thriller, options abound. If they’re distracted with homework, it’s time to catch up with her favorite The Real Housewives franchise. And there are endless options for feel-good lifestyle and cooking shows. No matter the mom scenario, there is a reality series to pair perfectly with it. Here are the 10 best reality TV shows for moms.
10
‘Snapped’
August 6, 2004
Now, not every mom will want to unwind with a true-crime episode about spousal murder like those featured in Snapped, but those that get the vibe will appreciate this entry on the list. Lots of ladies out there love to relax watching the gritty depictions in true-crime documentaries unfold, especially those about couples who have been pushed to their limits and finally snapped. It may be grim, but it can also be soothing to follow the investigators as they work their way through the crime scene, interview witnesses and potential suspects, and ultimately solve the crime. The sense of closure at the end of each episode can reassure viewers that though these terrible crimes do occur, ultimately, the perpetrators are typically caught and punished accordingly.
Understanding the psychology of criminal perpetrators is often something that draws a predominantly female audience to the true-crime genre. It has also been noted that many women learn tips about self-protection by listening to investigators in these series. There is also the general escapism and thrill-seeking viewers look for when turning to the genre in the first place. Not every mom will want to unwind with such grim subject matter, but there are many moms out there who will understand the pleasure of flipping on an episode of Snapped after it was lights out for the kids.
- Release Date
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August 6, 2004
- Network
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Oxygen
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Laura San Giacomo
Narrator (voice)
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Ronnie Farer
Detective Verlin
-
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Jody Flader
Self (archive footage)
9
‘Dancing With the Stars’
June 01, 2005
There are a variety of competition series that offer family-friendly entertainment, but there is something unique about the journey celebrities undertake on Dancing With the Stars that sets the show apart. Celebrities from a variety of spheres, from sports, film, TV, and other forms of entertainment, humble themselves as they learn to execute choreography and perform to their best ability week after week. The bond the celebrity contestants form with their dance partner develops over the course of the season, and often it is their chemistry that determines whether viewers will vote for them.
Unwinding with a glass of wine and cheering on her favorite dance pair is the perfect way for mom to end the day. In time, she’ll be as opinionated as the judges about pointed toes, expressive faces, and musicality in the celebrity competitors. Since fan voting often has the power to say which contestant stays or goes, regardless of their dance capabilities, mom will enjoy the thrill of feeling empowered by keeping her favorite pair another week through her votes.
8
‘American Ninja Warrior’
December 12, 2009
Another competition series that moms will love is one that is sure to bring the whole family together. American Ninja Warrior has united families in the joy of watching athletes from various backgrounds attack the seemingly impossible obstacles placed in their way on a course designed to discourage even the most agile of contenders. Kiddos will delight in the outrageous feats of athleticism, Dad will be sure to weigh in on how he would have approached the course differently, and mom can relax in the delight of everyone enthralled watching the show together.
American Ninja Warrior is also the exact kind of reality series that mom can turn on so she can turn off her brain. Tensions arise naturally in competition, but the premise of the series is that adult athletes throw themselves at a giant padded obstacle course, so the stakes remain relatively low. Whether she just wants some background noise, she wants to bring the family together, or she wants to simply turn her mind off for a moment, American Ninja Warrior is the perfect reality show for mom.
7
‘Top Chef’
March 8, 2006
Top Chef is another competition series that can still be considered soothing enough for mom to unwind with. Each season is set in a different locale, and learning a little about the local culinary history is part of the fun on this Bravo series. If mom considers herself an amateur chef, she’ll enjoy learning along with the competitors and critiquing their efforts.
A side benefit for the whole family is when mom, or any family member who watches along with her, takes inspiration from the series and suddenly the family delights in these new culinary pursuits. Dad is welcome to join in on the fun, as he is sure to have opinions about the dishes the competitors prepare, and will feel just as inspired to prove he can do better himself. Top Chef is another competition series that can be relied on to make mom happy by uniting the whole family.
6
‘Property Brothers’
January 4, 2011
The Property Brothers offer mom a soothing opportunity to fantasize about pulling down walls and creating an open floor plan in the family home. Any renovation series will have mom’s name all over it, but Property Brothers offers the family element of the double trouble that comes with the twin brother hosts who moms love. The brothers share their real-estate expertise by helping home buyers find a home to fix up and turn into their perfect property for the family.
The brothers helping each prospective family remodel their new purchase into their dream home is always satisfying to witness. Mom can get new renovation ideas to add to the “to do” list at home, while critiquing the design choices featured in the series. The show offers low stakes compared to other home renovation series, considering a happy family and a beautiful home are all but guaranteed at the end of each episode. Plus, with a slew of spin-offs, including the feel-good fan favorite Celebrity IOU, the Property Brothers have almost endless hours of entertainment for mom to indulge in.
5
‘Queer Eye’
February 7, 2018
There isn’t another feel-good guaranteed reality series for moms to dive into quite like Netflix’s Queer Eye. Make-over series have existed for a long time in the reality TV space, and the long-run of TLC’s What Not to Wear speaks to viewers’ interest in seeing people make incredible transformations in their lives. Where the TLC series focused exclusively on outward appearance, Queer Eye takes people in need of life changes on several fronts. While physical appearance is one element the gang touches on when they visit their hometown heroes, the transformation is about more than clothes.
Watch moms melt as, episode after episode, the Fab Five help people find their confidence, renovate their living spaces, and completely transform their lives. The inspiring stories shared each episode are about individuals in need who are also dedicated to helping their community. The series provides hopeful and inspiring messages for the whole family. As Season 10 is all but confirmed, mom won’t want to miss one bingeable moment of this reality series.
- Release Date
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February 7, 2018
- Network
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Netflix
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Jonathan Van Ness
Uncredited
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Karamo Brown
Self – Grooming
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Antoni Porowski
Self – Food & Wine
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Tan France
Self – Interior Design
4
‘Selena + Chef’
August 13, 2020
Moms love somebody to root for, and if there is one celebrity who has that touch of underdog appeal while continuing to be madly successful, it is Selena Gomez. The child star has suffered through bouts of ill health since she was diagnosed with lupus in 2013. Gomez also made a documentary about her mental health, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, in which she spoke about the effects of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Throw in the unfortunate circumstances of her teenage love life being turned into tabloid fodder that has followed her through every stage of life, and it becomes hard not to root for the inspiring entertainer who has suffered so much.
The Only Murders in the Building actress and Rare Beauty founder has been on a career high in recent years. It has also been rewarding to see her love life aligning as well, as she and her renowned music producer fiancé Benny Blanco celebrate the recent release of their collaborative album I Said I Love You First. Moms can go overboard, falling in love with Gomez in the many different art forms she pursues, including her stint on reality TV with her at-home cooking series Selena + Chef, where the star invites chefs to teach her new culinary skills and their favorite recipes.
3
‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’
October 14, 2010
The Real Housewives franchise is a juggernaut in the world of reality TV, and there are ample options of series for moms to choose from. But one of the shows that has the longest-standing cast member remaining is the Queen of Beverly Hills, Kyle Richards. Well, she is tied at 14 seasons with The Real Housewives of New Jersey‘s Teresa Giudice, and while there is no guarantee either will return for Season 15, it seems far more likely the world will continue to view Richards’ journey before Giudice returns to RHONJ amid its production pause. Aside from seniority, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has consistently been a cast that produces engaging and glamorous entertainment season after season.
Moms will revel in the exploits of the Richards sisters in the early seasons. Any mom who has sisters herself will appreciate the complex interwoven relationships the child stars have with each other and their children. The massive implosion of Richards’ friendship with reality TV maven Lisa Vanderpump is the stuff of RHOBH legend. And the current cast have such rich and interesting personal lives, and are caught up in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse exposing what the others are trying to hide, that the ladies continue to enthrall.
2
‘With Love, Meghan’
March 4, 2025
This recent addition to the reality lifestyle genre caused quite a stir online before it even premiered. Meghan Sussex née Markle has become a polarizing figure, simply for marrying into the UK Royal family and absconding with their beloved Prince, whisking him away to California to live her As Ever lifestyle. Moms who hate real-life fairy tales may want to skip this entry, but for those who love a little whimsy in life, this reality series is like a warm embrace.
Markle’s easy grace and warm enthusiasm create an inviting environment in this bingeable series. From Meghan’s easy tips to elevate the everyday, to her guests’ enchanted attitudes at being invited into her world, With Love, Meghan doesn’t offer drama any more intense than a moment when the water almost boils over on the stove. There is high rewatch potential here as well, since the series not only has so many insightful ways to integrate elevated lifestyle choices into the everyday that viewers will want to watch it over again, but also, the soothing nature of each episode makes it an excellent series to fall asleep to. What mom doesn’t love napping on the couch in a peaceful moment with her favorite series playing in the background?
1
‘Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?’
October 16, 2024
There are few quiz show series that have such an endearing charm as the beloved series Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Jeff Foxworthy hosted the series that asked contestants to answer questions at the elementary school level, with the assistance of precocious 5th graders. The 2024 spin-off series Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? had large shoes to fill when it came to crafting the same charm on stage as its predecessor. Luckily, the new show found a host who had the cleat size and the charisma to lead the spin-off to success.
Travis Kelce is best known as Taylor Swift‘s boyfriend to most of the world, and also as a three-time Super Bowl champion to people who pay attention to American football. The tight-end has also been clear about his ambitions to transition to a career in Hollywood, accepting roles in Grotesquerie and Happy Gilmore 2. In his role as host on the Prime Video quiz show series, Kelce brings his signature charisma and boyish locker-room charm. With the help of a classroom of celebrity guests, Kelce guides contestants through several increasingly difficult school-level questions where the ultimate prize is $100,000. The feel-good series is the definition of easy-viewing, and its fun-for-the-whole-family appeal, combined with Kelce’s considerable charisma, makes it the number one reality series for moms.
Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?
- Release Date
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October 16, 2024
- Network
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Prime Video
Cast
