The 30 Best Bravo Reality Shows, Ranked

Bravo's known for creating some of the most bingeworthy reality television shows around, including Vanderpump Rules, which recently aired drama between straying pretty boy and mixologist, Tom Sandoval, his long-time love Ariana Madix, and the "other woman," Raquel Leviss. Things got out of hand as that drama reached a heated crescendo. The bizarre love triangle now has its own nickname - Scandoval. This all made for riveting viewing, and it's a prime example of why Bravo programs are often train wrecks. Even when the drama gets ridiculous, it's hard to look away. Heated conversations, love on the rocks, money issues, work problems... there's no life stressor that Bravo hasn't leveraged to evoke emotions from its audience. As the years pass, the network's execs stick with what works. They don't go too far off the beaten track. Since they've got their fingers on viewers' pulses, they're able to come up with new shows that offer the same types of thrills that older series provide.

Bravo executives know how to produce certain kinds of reality shows - thanks to their slick formula, the hits just keep coming.

One big gun in the Bravo arsenal is Below Deck- it introduced viewers to a Downton Abbey-style dynamic. It's all about rich people upstairs and servants that are literally (not figuratively) beneath them. Sure, some crew members are up there too, trying to charm obnoxious and entitled guests, but all that niceness is really just a hustle for tips. Rich people have the cash that crew members want. Also, there are boatmances that add a little sizzle at sea. Below Deck is an example of how the network provides onscreen action that's unique. They've moved the typical reality setup to the high seas, placed cast members in confined spaces and then filmed the emotional fireworks. Besides Vanderpump Rules and Below Deck, the network has impressed with Southern Charm, the Million Dollar Listing franchise, and more.

20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now

Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.

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30 Southern Hospitality (2022-)

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Those who crave Southern fare can enjoy a feast of friends by tuning into Southern Hospitality. While it doesn't have the OG spirit of Southern Charm, it's got something, including a glimpse into some exciting Charleston, South Carolina eateries. The series is centered on Leva Bonaparte's restaurants, including her flagship dining establishment, Republic.

This series is the third Southern Charm offshoot. Leva, a Southern Charm regular, recently let the world know that her stint on the original series that started a franchise is ending. After Southern Charm season 10, she won't be returning. So, it's the end of an era, as of March 27. 2025.

The show works because it combines the slow and easy Southern Charm of the OG series with a touch of Vanderpump Rules glitz and competition. While it doesn't eclipse its predecessor, it holds its own as very digestible entertainment. Leva's a bold entrepreneur who isn't afraid to be a true girl boss.

29 Ladies Of London (2014-2017)

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Ladies Of London starred Caroline Stanbury, who made the scene at 2025's Bravo-con, as seen above, via her Instagram. This series showcased the highfalutin lifestyles of women in England's most celebrated city. London's a luxe place, where real estate is more expensive than anywhere else on earth. While shows like Made In Chelsea have already featured well-heeled socialites and their shockingly polite squabbles, there was room for another series, and this one is a little bit different.

With Made In Chelsea, the vibe's cozier... a little more youthful and romantic. The Ladies of London don't mess around - they're trying to claw their way up the social ladder in high-heeled shoes, or keep their places at the top, while doing all they can to keep their reputations pristine. It's not just about cold, hard cash in London - it's also about decorum, and this is what makes the show so watchable.

28 Denise Richards And Her Wild Things (2025-)

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Denise Richards has had such an exciting life, with extreme highs and lows. She was Dr. Christmas Jones in the 007 flick, The World Is Not Enough, alongside Pierce Brosnan. While she wasn't wholly convincing as a nuclear physicist, she looked absolutely fabulous. There are lots of iconic Bond girls, from Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore to Jane Seymour as Solitaire. When Denise joined their ranks, it was quite a career coup. Now, she's put another feather in her cap, with her reality series, Denise Richards And Her Wild Things.

Her career has been interesting - she was a "hot girl" for the ages thanks to star turns in Wild Things and Starship Troopers. The willowy brunette also got press for a turbulent marriage with Charlie Sheen, who spectacularly went off the rails. They share two daughters, Sami and Lola Sheen, both of whom are featured in the new series. So is Denise's new man, Aaron Phypers.

While the series does have a bit of glamour, it's got dull moments too. Seeing Denise deal with the mundane (such as daughters fighting with each other) or trying to pull an outdoor BBQ together, challenged by city bylaws, isn't exactly as exciting as watching James Bond battle a "baddie." However, animal lover Denise, who dotes on her dogs, is endearing.

Remember when Denise was dating her Starship Troopers costar, Patrick Muldoon? That romance wasn't fated to last forever, but they were definitely a cute couple. Patrick is silky-smooth and Denise still talks to the dark-haired Melrose Place charmer. In fact, a lame love triangle angle involving Patrick, Aaron and Denise is one attempt to add some sizzle to the series, but it doesn't really generate much heat.

27 The Real Housewives Of Dubai (2022-)

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The Real Housewives Of Dubai: Caroline Stanbury & Sergio Carrallo with Sergio in the back while Caroline seems shocked — The Real Housewives Of Dubai: Caroline Stanbury & Sergio Carrallo

The Real Housewives Of Dubai is an interesting addition to The Real Housewives canon, with a glitzy UAE location, but it's not the most diverting series of its type. Cast members, including Caroline of Ladies of London fame, add a little spice, thanks to their socialite glam and jet-set lifestyles. However, overall, it lacks the high-octane, lowbrow fights that make the best Housewives versions, including The Real Housewives of New Jersey, pop.

Tables aren't flipped, RHONJ-style - no wooden legs are tossed in a rage, á la Aviva Drescher's shocking The Real Housewives of New York City meltdown. The drama in the Dubai iteration just doesn't reach a truly operatic and Shakespearean level. It's too muted, mimicking the soft focus background.

Some fans may know Carolinefrom her prior reality TV stint. When she filmed the newer Dubai series, she'd been living in UAE for years, and supermodels and tech queens rounded out the RHODubai cast. However, something about the show's cast, in the first and second seasons, doesn't really grab eyeballs. There's just not the explosive chemistry that there should be. People don't clash in electric ways, or make-up in heartwarming ways. The overall vibe is bland. So, this one is worth a watch, mostly for the stunning backdrops, but it's not a modern classic.

26 The Real Housewives of Orange County (2006-)

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The Real Housewives of Orange County has been around for 16 seasons, and there have been RHOC spin-offs, but the show doesn't captivate viewers like other Real Housewives series do. The problem is that the only cast member remaining from the early days is Tamra Judge. She left for two years before returning in 2022. Nonetheless, the series has its charms, thanks to a ritzy, balmy, sun-soaked vibe, the requisite tanned women with issues, and the expected allotment of spangled dresses in cotton candy hues. Those who thrive on watching rich women act rich will enjoy all that this series has to offer. RHOC's equivalent of Jersey Shore's credo, "Gym, Tan, Laundry," is "Plastic Surgery, Tan, Buy Something New And Wear It Once' - it's a touch of "let them eat cake" decadence that may just be aspirational.

Not everyone aspires to this lifestyle, but those who do want the easy life may find the sometimes-shallow meanderings of RHOC cast members soothing. Oh, to be so carefree!

The thing is, no one can live without some degree of emotional intensity. That's why these women, who could (if they preferred) spend their days painting their fingernails and reading Vanity Fair, find ways to stir up trouble. That saves them from going full Marie Antoinette... i.e. stuffing bonbon after bonbon into lipsticked mouths while the peasants who cook and clean for them silently store up rage. When these expensively clad Housewives get into it, it all becomes interesting.

The haze of wealth and privilege melts away and there is something worth seeing.

Vicki Gunvalson returned to RHOC in 2022 after a four-year break from the show - however, she came back in a “friend of” role. The mocking Marie Antoinette example is meant to entertain (with a grain of truth to add some pepper), as some of these Housewives, including Vicki, have worked hard to get where they are - for this reason, their journeys can be fascinating.

Vicki carved out a successful career in the financial services/insurance niche.

Alexis Bellino is coming back for more (in that "not holding a diamond" "friend of" kind of way), so the show's changing in diverting ways - it's one to watch in 2024 and beyond. While it's not the first series that comes to mind when one thinks of the Real Housewives franchise, it's worth watching. So, don't forget about Orange County!

25 The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (2020-)

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While it is one of the least-watched shows in the Real Housewives franchise, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is different enough to entertain. The storylines feature an almost Shakespearean level of drama, especially when it comes to Jen Shah and her sickening misdeeds. Yes, she's the housewife accused of scamming vulnerable old people to make a quick buck. She's a cross between Elvis Presley's greedy manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and Cruella de Vil. Few people ever sink this low and Jen was convicted of doing so. She's an interesting archetype - this villain took people for a ride for the sake of cold, hard cash.

Since so much of the series' premise is tied to money (having it and spending it), it's interesting to look at the shadow side. What Jen has done to become wealthy matters - she's hurt people. White collar crimes can ruin lives.

It's rare to see this kind of criminal activity in a Real Housewives storyline, although it's not unheard of. Teresa and Joe Giudice ended up doing hard time, and frankly, Teresa looked fit and fabulous in her prison scrubs. Soon enough, Jen, who was sentenced to over six years in prison after copping a plea, needed to figure out how to style that "bad girl" look. Her Orange Is The New Black phase is riveting - a twist of fate that, while richly deserved, was also unexpected. Jen's trip to the dark side (learn more about it in the clip shown above) is one good reason why viewers should give this underrated Bravo show a shot (or a second chance).

24 Below Deck Mediterranean (2016-)

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Everyone talks about Below Deck, but there is every reason to call the spin-off Below Deck Mediterranean just as interesting and entertaining as its predecessor. In this series, the superyacht cruised to various locations in the Mediterranean, including Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, Spain, and Malta. These places are totally beautiful - they spark the imagination. It's hard to watch without imagining oneself at the locations. While some people may not make it to these luxe destinations, they can fantasize. The show offers so much fodder for those who enjoy travel and exploring. The white boats featured on the show are tricked-out like nobody's business. Burled walnut, sheets with astronomical thread counts, and delicate porcelain tableware are just the beginning. Soak up the ambiance and dream. The show has its drama, but it's also a travelogue... and a dreamy escape from the mundane. Hannah Ferrier, who got busted for bringing contraband on a maritime vessel, was the series' great diva.

As with the original, this series follows the superyacht's crew members as they attempt to make trips pleasurable for their clients. Sandy Yawn has served as the captain since the second season, and she's become almost as famous as Below Deck’s iconic "stud of the sea," Lee Rosbach. Captain Sandy isn't a perfect leader. Known for micromanaging to the max, she can actually be extremely annoying. However, her job isn't easy, and it's inspiring that a woman's controlling a huge and costly vessel. For a long time, the world of high-end yachting was a boy's club. Women like Captain Sandy are breaking the glass ceiling. They're just as skilled and competent as men. Also, some of the shade that gets thrown Sandy's way may be linked with sexism.

People are used to seeing men in captain roles. It's important to be open to the idea that women can excel in every line of work, even the most "traditionally male" positions.

Below Deck Med is simply delicious - the views are splendid and living vicariously through charter guests who have money to burn is a lot of fun. Who doesn't want to laze around on a yacht, be served great meals (well, most of the time) and recline in comfort while a crew works on planning the next fun party? This is escapism at its finest, but sometimes, a little reality creeps in. Crew members fight - they make mistakes on the job. There's enough genuine emotion to power this nautical franchise for years.

23 Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2003-2007)

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The cast of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy with one of their heroes

Queer Eye For The Straight Guy premiered on Bravo way back in 2003. The show ran for five seasons and 100 episodes. The Fab Five performed makeovers on the show's guests - in early seasons, they worked their magic on straight men. The charming Queer Eye crew showed the fashion-challenged how to dress. The people getting the makeovers also got grooming tips, haircuts, and life coaching. This show was snarky with a heart - it had all the elements to intrigue and inspire. It was so easy to love the OG Fab Five and their mission. They were really helping other people, to the extent of showing people how to create healthy and delicious meals.

Also, the show's gay sensibility rocked - in the fashion world, that sensibility has been the motor for decades of creativity and excellence. This inclusive, feel-good series is about valuing everyone - that's why it's everything.

22 The Real Housewives Of New York City (2008-)

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TheReal Housewives of New York Citywas the second city to be added to the franchise, and this series is addictive. This show sparked the successful careers of some #girlboss luminaries, including Bethenny Frankel. Plus, the location is pure excitement - what could be more energizing than a Big Apple backdrop? The city that never sleeps offers endless possibilities. The show has quite a cast - these women have distinct personalities.

In particular, the ups and downs of Countess Luann de Lesseps make for riveting viewing. A beguiling mixture of beauty (age never takes it away), ego, social climbing moxie and vulnerability, the "Countess" was born to be on TV. Luann couldn't hold onto her "royal" title, but no matter - she's still the Countess. Whether she's frolicking with a sexy pirate, Tomas (who strongly resembled Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow), or "feeling Jovani," she's a total star.

So, where does Luann's vulnerability come in? It's linked with her addiction. On these shows, the booze flows and that's very dangerous for alcoholics. Luann has lived with a drinking problem for years. Under that tough but glossy veneer, there is a woman in pain. Luann has tried to conquer her addiction - it is not easy to do that.

Addicts should stay away from environments that trigger them. Luann films for a show with a drinking culture - the Housewives are always holding big glasses of wine.

Sadly, the series took a major dip in ratings in season 13, making it one of the least likable shows in the franchise. However, the cast is still interesting. It's the direction the show took in later seasons that's the problem. Regardless, RHONY has some amazing episodes. Many were hoping season 14 would turn things around, but this series still needs a shot of adrenaline.

21 Below Deck Down Under (2022-)

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Below Deck Down Under is a real wild card in the famous nautical franchise, and a sneak peek from season 3, as shown above, reveals part of the reason why. In season 3, Captain Jason Chambers is displaying some delightfully kooky behavior that sets him apart from "stud of the sea" Captain Lee Rosbach and the micro-managing Captain Sandy Yawn. Captain Jason's into flaunting his "sexiness" whenever he can, in what appear to be fake Versace dressing gowns.

It's honestly hilarious - if he feels he can work these skimpy designs, it's his life, right? Some people might like it. What it isn't is standard Below Deck franchise fare, and maybe that's a good thing. I don't mean that his body isn't nice, or he doesn't look good, or whatever. It's not his shape or features that make me laugh. It's the campiness of it all, and just his willingness to do whatever he wants, knowing he's going to get some shade.

Captain Jason's "lounge act" wouldn't be out of place at the Playboy Mansion, and he's in charge of a very expensive "white boat." Those who seek silliness from reality shows may enjoy his macho bluster. Also, the BDDU locales are gorgeous. Initially, the show was all about Australia. G'day mate! However, in season 3, the glorious Seychelles are the backdrop, changing the mood. Some people might not like the change, but personally, I think the East African locale is drop-dead glamorous and intriguing.

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