Most outrageous reality TV shows of the 2000s – from The Osbournes to Big Brother

This competition series was originally an American show on NBC before a British spin-off was created in 2005 on Sky Living. The premise involved overweight contestants competing for a cash prize by losing the highest percentage of weight. The show, filmed over the course of 30 weeks, began with a weigh-in to determine their starting weight, which was later used to decide the winner.

Some of the humiliating tasks contestants were made to do included moving food from one place to another using only their teeth, alongside enduring strict fitness coaches.

Netflix recently released the documentary Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser, where former contestants spoke out about what it was really like to be on the series – and the damaging effects of being on the show. In the series, JD Roth, one of the producers, described it as throwing ”fat people who were unhappy” into the spotlight to lose weight.

This coexisted alongside many other 2000s British weight-loss reality series, such as Supersize vs Superskinny (Channel 4). It’s awful that this was once considered a trendy concept for on-screen entertainment. And, as the documentary highlights, it’s important to consider the participants’ side of the story – something viewers tend to forget, even today.

Hot-headed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay instilled my fear of ever working in a kitchen – and rightfully so – in this anxiety-inducing reality cooking competition.

In the UK version of the cooking show, 10 celebrities worked in a kitchen under head chef Ramsay as he taught them how to cook. After preparing food for famous clientele, the celebrities were eliminated by public vote. The show often got intense; a memorable moment from season one saw Amanda Barrie trying to hit Gordon after a heated exchange.

Across the pond, the US version of the show followed a similar concept, but instead of celebrities, it featured two teams of professional chefs competing for a job as head chef in a top restaurant.

Gordon was known on TV for his harsh, critical nature and didn’t exactly have a ‘nice guy’ reputation. However, some might argue that this reflected real restaurant kitchen culture – and, for better or worse, it made for great television.

Following the tumultuous domestic life of heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and their two kids, Kelly and Jack, the show was full of eccentric, unscripted moments. 

The show ushered in a new wave of shows, which depicted celebrity family life. 

Claire spoke about why this show was a standout: “When it came to The Osbournes, it was completely outrageous for its time; wall-to-wall swearing, total chaos, and no filter whatsoever. Back then, no one worried about how it would land on social media, because social media didn’t really exist. If they tried it now, it would be a very different show – people are far more cautious and concerned about backlash.”

Ozzy sadly passed away aged 76 last month, but his legacy lives on through this truly iconic piece of television.

Jo Frost was the nation’s nanny, determined to sort out any misbehaved children.

Supernanny started as a UK show in 2004 on Channel 4, with each episode devoted to helping a family with a misbehaving child. Through observation, Jo would suggest alternative parenting techniques to help restore order in the household. A US spin-off originally airing on ABC in 2005, which saw Jo visiting families across the country.

I, for one, used to be terrified that Jo Frost would appear at the door any time I got into trouble. While her parenting methods were not unreasonable, it does raise the question of whether a show like this would still be aired in 2025.

Claire Powell shared: “Shows like Supernanny, which I actually thought was good, feel harsher in hindsight. Would we really make a programme today where children are filmed being disciplined in that way? Probably not. Parents and producers alike are much more careful now, and the impact of social media means every decision is scrutinised.”

Weight-loss expert Steve Miller presented this Sky One documentary about overweight families and how to improve their eating habits. Steve would spend some time with the families, then give them a few months to lose weight following his advice.

The language used in the show definitely wasn’t the most sensitive. At the beginning of one 45-minute episode, Steve said: ”Watch out, massive fatties, I’m coming to get you.” 

One contestant, Eileen Haddrell, even had a running machine set up in her daughter’s living room, with a camera attached to the curtain pole.

It was one of many diet-culture reality shows of the time and further highlights the lack of censorship or consideration for viewers who found this content triggering.

In the nostalgic MTV days, Jersey Shore became a pop culture phenomenon, following the lives of eight housemates living in a vacation home. While it sounds like the perfect summer show – similar to Love Island – it was far wilder and glamorised the party lifestyle.

The UK later launched its own spin-off, Geordie Shore, which aired on MTV in 2011 and was set in Newcastle upon Tyne. It followed the same premise as the American version and is still on air today. Some of the show’s most recognisable reality TV names included Vicky Pattison, Charlotte Crosby, and Gary Beadle.

Again, the show faced controversy for its depiction of heavy drinking and party culture. In 2022, Vicky told The Times that she drank a “dangerous amount” of alcohol during her time on the show. 

So, while it may have been entertaining to watch, was it really just a reflection of how out of control the 2010s were?