FromRuPaul’s Drag RacetoCouple’s Retreat, MTV currently has a stellar line-up of reality TV shows that provide an addictive mix of laughter, drama, and unapologetic authenticity. But when MTV first debuted, it was dedicated — as the “m” the name suggests — to music videos and other music-related programming. Now that the years have passed, it has moved away from music and more towards original programming, from beloved scripted series to drama-filled reality shows.
In the 2000s, in particular, MTV’s reality programming included everything from shows documenting lavish birthday parties to career-launching shows following groups of friends, even a look at the day-to-day lives of the decade’s celebrities.The result was not only some of the most memorable reality TV shows on MTV, but ones that defined a generation and are pop-culture touchstones to this day.From the extravagant spectacles ofMy Sweet 16to the intimate glimpses into the everyday lives of charismaticJersey Shorecastmates, there have been plenty of iconic reality TV shows to come out of MTV in the aughts.
10’Punk’d' (2003 - 2012)
Created by Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg
Hidden-cameraprank shows weren’t exactly new whenPunk’dfirst premiered, but what made the show different was its targeting of celebrities. It aired for a total of 11 seasons, first hosted byAshton Kutcherfrom 2003 until 2007 — “I have no more friends,” he joked in one episode — then returned in 2012 with rotating celebrity guest hosts each week and a closer look at how the pranks were executed. A reboot hosted byChance the Rapperlaunched in 2020.
Punk’dfeatured a number of celebrities and pranks, ranging from small-scale incidents to large staged explosions. The celebrity victims’ reactions to the staged scenarios could be just as varied, with some reacting calmly and others being quick to anger and attempt to leverage their fame. Some of the most memorable pranks includeKanye Westthinking that the police are arresting him for stealing stage equipment andJustin BiebertrickingMiley Cyrus. The end result was always the same — before things could go too far, Kutcher would reveal the ruse, leading to a visibly relieved celebrity. Without a doubt,Punk’dhas influenced modernprank shows likeJury DutyandImpractical Jokers.
Watch on Hulu
9’Cribs' (2000 - 2010)
Created by Nina L. Díaz
Before shows were giving us a look at celebrities’ everyday lives,MTV first invited us into their homes withCribs, a show that featured different celebrities offering a tour of their home each week. The show first aired in 2000 and ended in 2010, then returned in 2017 with shorter episodes distributed through Snapchat Discover. It was officially rebooted by MTV in 2021 and is now in its 19th season.
Cribsis a fascinating look at the lives of everyone from sports stars to chart-topping musicians, each home showing off its owner’s personal taste — and their wealth. But it’s not just a look at lavish homes. Because celebrities themselves are giving the tours, they become more relatable as they share information about their favorite parts of their home and how they spend their free time. Some celebrities that have showcased their homes in the show include Playboy tycoon Hugh Hefner and legendary NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.
Watch on MTV
8’My Super Sweet 16' (2005 - 2017)
Created by Jordana Starr, Lucy J. Lesser, and David L. Bowles
My Super Sweet 16gave audiences a look at the over-the-top partiesas a variety of wealthy teenagers celebrated their 16th birthdays, as well as the occasional Quinceanera, debutante ball, and even bar mitzvah. Some ofthe filthy-rich celebritieswho celebrated their extravagant birthdays on screen includeTeyana TaylorandSean Kingston.My Super Sweet 16ran for ten seasons, from 2005 to 2017.
It wasn’t just the parties that were over the top. For one, the teenagers often wore designer dresses and suits, with some episodes showcasing bespoke outfits that resembled red carpet ensembles. The meltdowns from teenagers whose big day didn’t go as planned, whether it was because there was a hitch in the party or they didn’t get the exact model of the luxury car they wanted as a gift, were also a key highlight of the show. Teens often wielded power over their peers with exclusive guest lists, resulting in confrontations over classmates, sometimes even frenemies, who hadn’t been invited trying to sneak in.
7’Newlyweds' (2003 - 2005)
Created by Ian McFadyen
Newlyweds: Nick and Jessicafollowed the newly married pop-star coupleNick LacheyandJessica Simpsonas they navigated starting their lives together. The show aired for three seasons, from 2002 until 2005. Simpson ultimately filed for divorce in December 2005, and both have since remarried and started families.
Newlywedsis responsible for some infamous moments, like Jessica’s confusion about tuna being called “chicken of the sea.”Still, she looks back on the show fondly and has noted that as one of the earliest reality shows, it was more authentic than today’s shows, as the couple was filmed all day, every day, as opposed to the set shooting schedules similar shows have now. In the final episode ofNewlyweds, the couple surprised audiences by presenting “Nick and Jessica Variety Hour.” In it, the couple sang and acted in various skits, showing that they’re more than willing to go the extra mile to entertain their fans.
Buy on Amazon
6’The Osbournes' (2002 - 2005)
Created by R. Greg Johnston, Jeff Stilsonm, Sharon Osbourne, and Lois Clark Curren
If you’re in the mood to watch and be entertained by adysfunctional family on TV, you should definitely check outThe Osbournes. From 2002 to 2005,The Osbournesgave viewers an inside look at the day-to-day life of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and his family— his wife,Sharon Osbourne, and two of their children,JackOsbourneandKelly Osbourne. At the time, it was MTV’s most popular show.
The Osbourneswas one of the most influential early reality shows and made the whole family — not just Ozzy — famous. It was an entertaining, expletive-filled glimpse at the family’s relationships with each other with plenty of memorable moments. From Ozzy’s confusion to using modern technology to the family’s attempt at keeping multiple pets, a lot of delightful scenes will surely encourage viewers to binge-watch the show. The family is set to make a return to reality TV to document their move from Los Angeles to England for BBC.
5’Jackass' (2000 - 2001)
Created by Jeff Tremaine
MTV kicked off the decade withJackass, which over the course of three seasons featured a variety of dangerous, over-the-top stunts, equal parts cringe-worthy and hilarious. The cast pulled off unforgettable stunts, like launchingSteve-Ointo the air in a portable toilet filled with human waste and turning a taxi into a terrifying experience for unsuspecting passengers. Each episode made it clear viewers were not to recreate them at home — even though plenty of people did.
Despite it’s popularity,Jackasssparked debates about the ethics of prank-based entertainment and the responsibility of creators in ensuring viewer safety. Members of the crew went on to other reality shows, includingBam Margera’s chaoticViva La Bamand Steve-O andChris Pontius’ wildlife show,Wildboyz, whileJohnny Knoxvilleappeared in a number of other TV shows and movies. They also released multiple movies, includingJackass Foreverin 2022.
Watch on Paramount+
4'16 And Pregnant' (2009 - 2020)
Created by Lauren Dolgen
MTV highlighted the struggles of teen pregnancy with16 and Pregnant, which debuted in 2009. Each episode featured a different girl from partway through her pregnancy to shortly after giving birth, andmultipleTeen Momspin-offsfollowed some of the girls as they navigated life as new parents. Some of the most memorable cast members includeSarah Palin’sdaughterBristol Palinand reality TV starFarrah Abraham.
Episodes showed everything from the girls navigating their relationships with their babies' fathers and their own parents to planning for the future. What’s notable about16 and Pregnantis that it didn’t shy away from controversial storylines, such as financial struggles, tense relationships, and even drug use. The authenticity and realistic painting of what teenagers go through resonated with viewers, making it a hit MTV show. The show made stars of the young moms, especially those from it earliest seasons, with most of them still making headlines today.
16 and Pregnant
3’Laguna Beach' (2004 - 2006)
Created by Adam DiVello
Airing for three seasons starting in 2004,Laguna Beachfollowed the lives of a group of teenagers living in Orange Countyas they navigated their friendships and romantic relationships during their senior year of high school. The show’s first season starredLo Bosworth,Stephen Colletti,Morgan Olsen,Trey Phillips,Christina Schuller,Kristin Cavallari, andTalan Torriero. Later seasons focused on different students, but many of the original cast members went on to star in other reality shows, including spin-offs of Laguna Beach.
Perhaps what struck viewers most withLaguna Beachwas its picturesque cinematography and landscapes that set a tone for future reality TV shows, making them more aspirational and influential than closer to reality. The show took some liberties with its narratives and it was later revealed, particularly when it comes to Torriero, who originally refused to participate in the show and then later was included in scenes that had already been shot. More behind-the-scenes information has been revealed in the podcastBack to the Beach, hosted by Cavallari and Colletti.
Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County
2’The Hills' (2006 - 2010)
AfterLaguna Beachended,Lauren Conradstarred inThe Hills, which ran for six seasons starting in 2006 and chronicled her life in Los Angeles after high school trying to build a career in the fashion industry.The Hillsalso featuredreality TV starsAudrina Patridge,Heidi Montag,Whitney Port,Spencer Pratt,Brody Jenner, andLo Bosworth. It was rebooted asThe Hills: New Beginningsin 2019 and ran for two seasons.
One of the most notable things aboutThe Hillswas its opening sequence which showed an aerial view of Los Angeles while “Unwritten” byNatasha Bedingfieldplayed in the background.Despite its entertaining scenes that showed the glamour of Hollywood, not everything onThe Hillswas real, though — the cast has admitted that many of the show’s storylines, from career setbacks to romances, were scripted for drama, and the series ended with a shot of a soundstage.
1’Jersey Shore' (2009 - 2012)
Created by SallyAnn Salsano
Jersey Shorefirst aired as the decade was ending, premiering in December 2009.Jersey Shorefollowed eight housemates in a shared summer house in New Jersey who pass the time working out and partying, plus their fair share of now-infamous fights. Some of the antics of theJersey Shorecast has impacted pop culture in unexpected ways. Such includeMike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s “GTL” lifestyle, which simply means Gym, Tan, and Laundry. There was alsoNicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s unique phrases and vocabulary, which included terms such as “grenade” and “smashing.”
Despite its appearance later in the decade,Jersey Shoreleft an undeniable mark on pop culture and was a huge hit – it was MTV’s highest-rated series ever, and its cast became stars. It was rebooted in 2018 asJersey Shore: Family Vacation, featuring most of the original cast, such asPaul “Pauly D” DelVecchio,Jenni “JWoww” Farley,and"Vinny Guadagnino."
