What to watch: 10 of the best Netflix reality TV shows to binge on

Netflix has boomed over the pandemic with reality television shows just one of the many genres viewers have been lapping up on home TV screens.

With the newfound reality leaving many too anxious to leave the house much, you may have found yourself with extra time to watch TV.

Luckily for you, this year Netflix has brought a wide selection of reality television shows to distract us all from the current state of the world.

Reality TV

Reality TV is a great way to entertain yourself with other people’s drama.

From bake-offs to romance wars to competitions, here are the 10 binge-worthy reality shows (in no particular order) now streaming on Netflix.

‘Too Hot to Handle’

This is the reality TV show responsible for many sexual social media memes.

Too Hot to Handle places 15 good looking contestants – who wear bathing suits 99% of the time – in a villa.

The plot twist is that they must abstain from all physical contact with one another to keep their $100,000 (more than R1,6-million) cash prize fund intact.

Things get heated when the sex-fuelled cast take part in stimulating “self-discovery” workshops. Each violation of the rules leads to a deduction from the communal pot.

This makes for a great watch if your brain needs a complete vacation from reality.

‘Family Feud (South Africa)’

Family Feud (South Africa) is a branch of the popular international television game show: Family Feud. US comedian Steve Harvey has been hosting the show since 2010.

This iconic game show revolves around two families competing by naming the most popular responses to gathered survey questions. There are loads of cash and prizes to be won.

‘Next In Fashion’

If you are looking to see jaw-dropping runways and enviable style, then Next in Fashion is for you.

Tan France and Alexa Chung host this fashion competition showcasing 18 designers from around the world. The designers compete in numerous challenges based on global trends and styles.

The fashions seen on the show will have you inspired and eager to go shopping.

‘Cheer’

When released in January, the six-part series Cheer took social media by storm.

It follows the Texan Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team as they prepare for the annual National Cheerleading Championship.

Expect to witness heart-wrenching personal stories, incredible teamwork and, of course, an inside look into the competitive world of cheerleading.

‘Million Dollar Beach House’

The show follows real estate agents, part of Nest Seekers International, who sell multi-million-dollar homes in the Hamptons area of the US.

If you are in the mood to look at luxury homes while observing inter-company drama, then Million Dollar Beach House is a good pick.

‘The Circle’

The Circle revolves around a group of people living separately in an apartment complex. They only may communicate through a social media network called “The Circle”, hence the title of the show.

If that is not awkward enough, players are required to rank and vote out fellow contestants based on their likability and interactions.

There is also a major twist: players may catfish the rest of the group.

If you are looking for a fun, cheesy and heartfelt binge, then this reality show will tick your viewing boxes.

‘The Big Flower Fight’

This aesthetically pleasing show pairs florists, artists, and landscapers up to build sculptures out of flowers and plants.

The co-hosts for the show are comedians: Natasia Demetriou and Vic Reeves. The judge for the show is star florist Kristen Griffith-Vanderyacht.

The Big Flower Fight is soothing to watch, even if you have bad seasonal allergies.

‘Crazy Delicious’

Crazy Delicious is a magical food competition surrounded by an edible set. It turns everyday meals into extraordinary culinary creations.

Presenter Jayde Adams stars alongside judges Carla Hall, Heston Blumenthal and Niklas Ekstedt.

Crazy Delicious challenges the UK’s most talented food lovers to produce meals that must impress with originality, visuals and extraordinary flavours.

Floor Is Lava

The fun show Floor Is Lava takes everyone’s favourite childhood game to the next level.

The heart-pounding competition sees a small team of contestants navigate through an obstacle course in a room filled with “lava”.

The prize is $10 000 (around R167 000) and a lifetime of bragging rights.

You can expect suspense and a sudden urge to go play the game yourself!

Love Is Blind

Imagine 30 of Atlanta’s singles all joining together for some fun “blind” speed-dating.

The dating takes place in pods separated by a glass wall over a period of 10 days.

The participants have two choices: get engaged to someone they have never seen before, or go home.

For those who chose engagment, they are finally able to meet their significant-other face to face. They also go on a pre-wedding honeymoon and then begin a three-week countdown to their wedding.

You must wait and see whether the couples say “I do” or not after walking down the aisle. This makes  Love is Blind an entertaining rollercoaster for the viewer.