Lifestyle
10 reality TV shows that aren’t just for millennials
It’s not all bimbos, brawn and boobs – some reality TV shows are actually gripping viewing for an older audience, too. Stream one of these and see for yourself.
By Carolyn Tate
Remember when TV's biggest hits were all about oil barons and shoulder pads? When shows like Dallas and Dynasty served up a glossy, fantastical version of wealth and power? These days, as a society, we seem to have developed quite the appetite for 'reality' – but not the kind that involves doing the weekly shop or loading the dishwasher. That might be a touch too real!
Today's reality shows pack more drama, skill and entertainment than JR Ewing could shake a gilded walking stick at, and they're not just catering to the youth market anymore either. From high-stakes cooking competitions to mature dating and survival skills (sometimes the same thing!), there's a whole world of reality TV that speaks to viewers of all ages.
But how do you sift through the seemingly endless range of streaming options to find the nuggets of gold among the rubbish? We've taken one for the team and dived into the world of reality TV, rounding up some of our favourite guilty pleasures that prove age is just a number when it comes to great entertainment.
1. Australian Survivor
Despite being around for almost 25 years, Survivor is still a thriving reality TV show that garners huge interest in Australia. The intense TV show sees people of all ages test their survival and social skills out in the ‘wild’ together, with their wheelings and dealings as they vie for first place making for a fascinating study of human social behaviour and juicy television drama.
Watch Australian Survivor on 10 Play.
2. I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here
The OTT mad-cap humour of Julia Morris is a real breath of fresh air, and her sweet co-host Robert Irwin is her down-to-earth ballast. They are basically the ultimate Gen-X-meets-Z pairing and we are here for it. Much like we’re here for watching well-known Aussies slither around in the bush attempting to be ‘authentic’ and ‘real’. Of course, they are anything but, however that’s the whole point: this show is not to be taken seriously, so kick back and let the mud and mayhem wash over you.
Watch IACGMOOH on 10 Play
3. Dessert Masters
If you love the adrenaline of a busy kitchen (or just prefer to watch others tackle it from the comfort of your couch while you eat ice cream straight from the tub), Dessert Masters serves up the perfect blend of skill and spectacle. Australia's finest pastry chefs battle it out to create incredible edible masterpieces, with pressure-cooker challenges that will have you on the edge of your seat. What sets this show apart is the genuine talent on display – these aren't amateur bakers hoping for their big break, but accomplished professionals pushing the boundaries of what's possible with sugar, chocolate and cream.
Watch Dessert Masters on 10 Play
4. The Golden Bachelor/Bachelorette
If you've rolled your eyes at the melodrama of The Bachelor franchise in the past, The Golden Bachelor/Bachelorette might just change your mind. Following singles in their ‘golden years’ looking for a second chance at love, this spin-off brings a refreshing depth and authenticity to the format – there's something genuinely touching about watching people who've lived full lives open their hearts to new possibilities. And while there's still plenty of the drama we've come to expect from the franchise, the contestants' life experience and wisdom adds a layer of sincerity that's often missing from the original series. If you like the US version, you’ll be pleased to know Channel 9 is making an Australian version which will be hosted by Samantha Armytage and is expected to hit our screens in early 2025.
Watch The Golden Bachelor/Bachelorette on Apple TV.
5. Shark Tank
If you think business deals are boring, Australian Shark Tank will make you think again. This addictive show turns entrepreneurship into edge-of-your-seat entertainment, as hopeful business owners pitch their ideas to some of Australia's most successful (and intimidating) investors. What makes it especially watchable is the range of pitches – from practical innovations that make you wonder 'why didn't I think of that?' to wildly optimistic dreamers who clearly haven't done their sums – and watching the Sharks alternate between ruthless takedowns and genuine mentorship. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about watching people pursue their dreams and occasionally walk away with life-changing deals.
Watch Shark Tank on 10 Play.
6. Vanderpump Rules
If you thought The Bold and the Beautiful had drama, wait until you meet the real-life cast of Vanderpump Rules. Led by former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Vanderpump, this reality show follows the lives, loves and spectacular fallouts of the staff at her West Hollywood restaurants – and trust us, these people make your most dramatic dinner party look like a gentle cup of tea. With the cast now in their 30s and 40s, the drama has matured like a fine wine, proving that sometimes reality is more gripping than fiction.
Watch Vanderpump Rules on Netflix
7. Catfish: The TV Show
Here’s proof that online dating isn’t just for the younger crowd, Catfish: The TV Show proves that digital deception knows no age limit. In each episode, hosts help people who've fallen for someone online discover if their virtual romance is the real deal or if they're being ‘catfished’ by someone hiding behind a fake profile. What makes this show incredibly bingeable is its diverse cast of participants from all age groups and walks of life – from tech-savvy seniors to digital newcomers – proving that matters of the heart (and the risks that come with them) are truly ageless.
Watch Catfish: The TV Show on Amazon Prime Video
8. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
If you're going to indulge in reality TV, you might as well go all out with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – the crown jewel of guilty pleasure viewing! Following the lives of some of LA's most affluent women, this show serves up an intoxicating cocktail of luxury lifestyle and deliciously complicated friendships, all set against the backdrop of America's most famous postcode. Whether they're turning lunch into a battlefield or a charity gala into a crime scene, these ladies prove that high society drama never gets old.
Watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Foxtel.
9. Married to Medicine
If Real Housewives feels a bit too focused on shopping sprees and lunch dates, this one might be more your speed. Following the lives of women in Atlanta's medical community – both doctors and doctors' wives – this show offers a fascinating glimpse into the high-pressure world of healthcare professionals juggling demanding careers with equally demanding social lives. The unique mix of medical careers and southern social circles creates compelling viewing that's equal parts substance and style, proving you can have your drama with a side of brain surgery.
Watch Married to Medicine on Foxtel.
10. Alone Australia
If you've ever wondered how you'd fare in the wilderness (from the comfort of your couch, of course), Alone Australia makes for gripping viewing. Dropped into the remote wilderness of Tasmania with just a handful of survival gear and camera equipment, contestants face not just the physical challenges of finding food and shelter, but the psychological battle of complete isolation. What makes this show particularly compelling is its raw authenticity – there's no camera crew, no manufactured drama, just real people filming their own very real struggles against nature and loneliness as they compete to be the last one standing.
Watch Alone Australia on SBS on Demand.
Feature image: iStock/milorad kravic
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