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5 Shows That Defined Reality TV In The Early 2000s

When reality tv was just getting started and these stars had no idea what they were creating.

Reid Mitchell Thompson

Feb 26, 2020

Florida State University

5 Shows That Defined Reality TV In The Early 2000s

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Most people will agree that the early 2000s were the prime time of reality television. Since reality TV was just getting starting back then, the people creating these shows really didn't have a formula, so it was truly real and amazing. We have some of the most iconic reality tv scenes ever coming out of this era.

Now don't get me wrong, I still love the Kardashians, the new franchises of the Real Housewives, and other reality shows we have today. But something about these shows from back in the day just hits different.

You probably have heard of most of the shows on this list, so enjoy the walk down memory lane. But if for some unholy reason you have not seen one of these shows, you're welcome! Because now you have weekend plans to binge-watch.

1. 'The Simple Life.'

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Literally the bible of reality TV. 'The Simple Life' starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie was/is genuinely tv gold. This show ran from 2003-2007 and I wish it was still on today. Paris' signature catchphrase "That's hot." as a reply to any situation cracked viewers up. I actually own all the seasons of 'The Simple Life' on DVD just because of digital warfare and God forbid if computers go down I can still enjoy Paris and Nicole.

2. 'The Hills.'

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Hopefully, everyone knows when Lauren Conrad was in high school she was on an MTV show titled 'Laguna Beach,' after high school, she got her own show with some friends titled 'The Hills.' LC went through so much on this show from heartbreaks, drama, to being known as "The girl who didn't go to Paris." Honestly, this scene alone cements this show in tv history, but there was so much more that made this show great.

3. 'Pretty Wild.'

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Another legendary reality show, 'Pretty Wild,' followed Alexis Neiers and her family. This show would actually later serve as visual inspiration for scenes in the movie 'The Bling Ring,' a film that dramatized the alleged criminal acts Alexis and her friends committed. This scene has been turned into memes, and people who don't haven't even seen 'Pretty Wild' know about this voicemail fight with Nancy Jo over her Vanity Fair article about Alexis. Alexis Neiers (now Alexis Haines) is one of the top bad b**ches of the 2000s.

4. 'The Girls Next Door.'

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Talk about another legendary show, featuring Hugh Hefner and the famous Playboy bunnies, 'The Girls Next Door.' Kendra, Holly, and Bridget were all bunnies who lived at the Playboy Mansion, and who all happened to be dating Hugh. This show was one we were probably all too young to be watching but we were definitely watching it anyways. Justice for these girls because they are seriously the unsung heroes of reality TV.

5. 'My Super Sweet Sixteen.'

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MTV's 'My Super Sweet Sixteen' provided so much premium content back in the day. We got to see bratty teenagers, over-indulging parents, and wildly lavish parties. The birthday extravaganzas were crazy, but the kids on it were crazier. Like this time, when Audrey was so livid that her parents gave her a brand new Lexus on her actual birthday instead of the day of her party and honestly I feel that for her.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

5 Shows That Defined Reality TV In The Early 2000s

When reality tv was just getting started and these stars had no idea what they were creating.

1. 'The Simple Life.'

2. 'The Hills.'

3. 'Pretty Wild.'

4. 'The Girls Next Door.'

5. 'My Super Sweet Sixteen.'

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

CDs

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