Five Early 2000s Reality TV Shows You Need to Binge Right Now
Bring yourself back to the world of Snooki, lip gloss, and MySpace
by TAYLOR CHAIKEN ★ JULY 11, 2021
The days of waiting every week just to cringe through episodes of The Bachelor and Rupaul are SO over. Not only are these shows too PG and cheesy IMO, but they are WAY too dated (and not in a hip, vintage way). Housewives and Vanderpump Rules have had their moment, and the newest Netflix dating shows are hot for a minute, then seem to cool down the next. What better time than summer to watch something new? With the Y2K era taking over the fashion and other industries, it only makes sense to go back to this decade when watching TV. While KUWTK is already so long gone, and you’ve already sat through all of Love Island, here are the five best early 2000s reality TV shows to keep you laughing all summer.
The Simple Life
Are you even surprised?? The Simple Life (2003-2007) is a classic must-watch for any reality TV fan. The show kicked off Paris Hilton’s career and was a cultural reset as far as reality TV is concerned. The Simple Life features five hilarious seasons of Paris and her former BFF Nicole Richie, another one of my idols, where they are forced to leave their Beverly Hills mansions to head to a farm and trade their Juicy jumpsuits for overalls. While they are forced to give up everything they have (cell phones included) and “work” blue collar jobs, they cause a great deal of chaos and craziness. I put work in quotations because Paris and Nicole are basically just as brainless as they come (yet they can still put together some pretty cute outfits). While the two of them have never worked a day in their life, this show is hysterical as they try to navigate a lifestyle so different from their own. You will cry tears as you watch this duo cause a scene literally everywhere they go. Truly nothing better. The Simple Life can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
The Hills
The Hills (2006-2010) is a must if you want to jump into the world of the early 2000s party scene. While The Hills has changed a lot over the years and the show is actually still on-air, I like to focus on the earlier seasons (before Heidi Montag went lowkey off the rails...) to get a more the 2000s feel. Originally, the show followed Lauren Conrad, everyone's fave, into her internship at Teen Vogue, living with her ex-best friend Heidi, dating the hottest boys, and going to the most exclusive nightclubs in LA. Who wouldn't want to watch? Although Lauren leaves the show in season five, there is still tons of drama, partying, and most of all, the dreamy Brody Jenner (probably the reason why I’m still watching). More importantly, this was also filmed during an era where we weren’t glued to our phones, hookup culture wasn’t as big, and people went out to genuinely have fun, not to document everything on social media. If you want a mature, sophisticated show, be sure to watch The Hills. You can find The Hills on Hulu, MTV, and YouTube TV. The Hills: New Beginnings is shown on the same services.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach (2004-2006) is the show before the follow up, The Hills. Laguna Beach one again follows Lauren Conrad and her group of friends during their late high school years around Orange County. I recommend watching The Hills first to get a better sense of who Lauren is in her adult life and her character development, and then Laguna Beach, but that’s just a personal preference. While Laguna Beach does take you back in time, it also brings you back to your highschool days when parties, boys, and girl drama were the most important thing ever. You also get to see Kristin Cavallari (pre Jay Cutler), Stephen Colleti (before One Tree Hill), and Lo Bosworth (prior to her influencer and Love Wellness days), in their prime. Laguna Beach is a great show to time travel back to high school and reminisce. Laguna Beach can be streamed on Paramount Plus, MTV, and Amazon Prime Video.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Queer Eye’s older sister, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2003-2007) is the perfect series to keep you not only laughing and crying but on the edge of your seat all summer long. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy features the original Fab Five (pre-Netflix era), five professionals in the fashion, personal grooming, entertainment, and culture industries who happen to be gay men. Similar to the Queer Eye we’ve all binged on Netflix, they give a makeover to a nominated straight guy who could use some fixing up. While it may seem superficial, the Fab Five works hard to transform this individual from the inside out, bring up confidence levels, and provide the power and encouragement to potentially transform one’s life for the greater good. While the Fab Five is both hilarious, heartwarming and will make you want to become best friends with all of them, the individual's story is enough to keep watching. This show definitely guarantees some tears so get the tissue box ready. Stream these five seasons of fun on Amazon Prime Video.
Jersey Shore
Last but not least, how could I not include Jersey Shore (2009-2012)? Jersey Shore is the ultimate binge-watch for any party girl. Not only did Jersey Shore reinvent the party/clubbing scene, but it has stayed relevant so many years later. There’s no question why it’s the most known show on television. While there are so many spin-offs such as Snookie and Jwow, Revenge Prank, Double Shot at Love, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, and so many more, Jersey Shore is a must-watch before coming back to school. Besides all of the dancing, drinking, and partying, you get to watch this ‘family’ of friends evolve and grow closer over the years. Between the relationships, hookups, and blackouts, this show is not one to miss! Binge Jersey Shore on MTV, Hulu, and Apple TV.
*Editor’s note: someone once told me I looked like Snooki…am I offended or honored DM us @universitygirlsu
These shows are not only personal faves, but classics that everyone is bound to love. Although they may seem cheesy or uneducated, reality TV is so unpredictable and can teach you more than you think. Also, it's pretty fun to “travel” back to a time where things were more simplified and social media wasn’t a thing. I hope these shows give you a sense of nostalgia and humor to keep you laughing all summer.