Do you remember the golden era of MTV reality shows, where Snooki and The Situation ruled the airwaves? Well, get ready to take a trip down memory lane because we’ve compiled a list of MTV reality shows that we completely forgot existed. From Surf Girls to Room Raiders, these shows were the ultimate guilty pleasure. So grab your Ed Hardy t-shirt, crank up the Jersey Shore theme song, and get ready for a nostalgia-filled ride.
Making the Band
Before American Idol and The Voice, there was Making the Band. Yep, that show where Diddy was all like, “I want to put together a band,” and a bunch of hopefuls would come and audition for him. It was three seasons of drama, music, and lots of Diddy-isms. And the final product? Danity Kane.
They were mildly successful, but hey, they had some bops. And guess what? MTV just announced that Making the Band will return! So, get ready for more Diddy-isms and some new potential superstars.
Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica
Remember when Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson were the ultimate pop-power couple? MTV thought it was a good idea to capture all their lovey-dovey moments in Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. We got to see the couple argue over everything from housework to canned food.
Let’s be real; the chicken vs. tuna debate was the best thing to come out of that show. It only lasted three seasons, but those few years of televised blissful domesticity couldn’t save their marriage, which ended four years later. But hey, at least we have that timeless tuna moment to cherish forever.
The Ashlee Simpson Show
Back in the day, when we thought of Ashlee Simpson, we mostly thought of her as Jessica Simpson’s cooler, younger sis who rocked skinny scarves like nobody’s business. But then, MTV gifted us with The Ashlee Simpson Show, and we finally got to know her as a person.
We saw her recording her first album and navigating the ups and downs of the music industry. It was a wild ride, and we even got that iconic “Pieces of Me” performance on SNL. So, thank you, MTV, for introducing us to the real Ashlee Simpson.
Meet the Barkers
Remember when Travis Barker, the drummer for Blink-182, and his wife, Shanna Moakler, were the coolest couple on the block? They were the kind of neighbors you’d want to invite to your backyard barbecue, and they proved that rock stars could be pretty chill.
Sadly, they’re not together anymore, and we can’t help but wonder if it’s all because of the MTV reality show curse. You know, the one where being on a reality show pretty much guarantees the end of your relationship? It’s like the universe just can’t handle that much coolness in one couple.
The Osbournes
Remember when we all fell in love with Ozzy Osbourne and his family on MTV? It was five seasons of pure entertainment, and we got to see a side of Ozzy that we never knew existed.
Plus, let’s be real, watching Kelly Osbourne being an angsty teen was pure gold. It’s been a while, but trust us, it’s worth a rewatch. So, grab some snacks, turn up the volume on “Crazy Train,” and let the Osbournes entertain you once again.
Rich Girls
Alright, so there was this show called Rich Girls that followed the lives of Ally Hilfiger (aka Tommy Hilfiger’s daughter) and her bestie Jaime Gleicher (aka the daughter of the guy who started Innovation Luggage).
It was a lot of fancy clothes, exclusive parties, and discussing whether spending $400 on shoes was ethical when you could be saving a life. You know, the kind of deep stuff that really makes you think. But hey, if you’re into watching the lives of the rich and fabulous, this one’s worth checking out.
Life of Ryan
Yo, do you remember Life of Ryan on MTV? The show put pro skater Ryan Sheckler back on our radars (and, if we’re honest, our crush lists). The show lasted a solid three seasons (like, how?), and we got to watch Ryan do his thing on his skateboard, take care of his little brothers, and flirt with all the ladies.
But the real highlight was Ryan’s deep monologues on life, love, and happiness. The guy was like a modern-day philosopher, dropping truth bombs left and right. Ryan, if you’re reading this, please return to our screens and bless us with your wisdom again.
‘Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave
So, Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro thought it would be a good idea to star in their own reality show on MTV called Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave. It was a pretty confident title, considering their marriage only lasted for a whopping two years. Oops.
At least they gave us some entertainment while it lasted, right? Also, let’s be real; the drama and chaos that went down on that show were worth tuning in for.
Punk’d
On the hit reality show Punk’d, Ashton Kutcher took the world of pranks and celebrities, smashed them together, and gave us TV gold. The concept was simple: an accomplice would lure their famous friend into a cringe-worthy situation set up by undercover actors.
Be honest with yourself; you weren’t a cool teen in the early aughts if you didn’t know the Justin Timberlake episode by heart. It was classic. So let’s all raise a glass to the OG prankster Ashton Kutcher and his epic show Punk’d.
Jackass
“Don’t try this at home” became everyone’s favorite catchphrase after watching MTV’s Jackass! Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, and Chris Pontius took stupid stunts to a whole new level with that show.
Somehow, they managed to keep it going for three seasons and even spawned a bunch of movies. After all, who wouldn’t want to watch a bunch of grown men get hit with giant rubber balls or ride a shopping cart down a steep hill? Classic MTV gold.