As a kid, I’m sure many of us spent time daydreaming about our crushes or entering their names into a compatibility quiz, but how do we view love now? I have to admit, my guilty pleasure is reality dating shows, so I think I have a pretty good idea on what’s hot and what’s not. I’m going to be telling you my top five most bingeable reality dating shows! Hey, maybe by reading this article, you’ll be ready to hop in front of your TV or device and press play!
In fifth place, we have Married At First Sight. The show revolves around three to five couples paired up by relationship experts who have never seen each other and are still getting married! The reason why I love this show is because it puts these complete strangers in situations that wouldn’t typically be assessed for months or even years into a relationship. It allows the audience to watch, and even laugh a little, at how these strangers navigate a situation like going on a honeymoon, moving in with each other, and even meeting each other’s friends and families. It’s the perfect blend of chaos, comedy and hopefully, devoted affection for each other by the end of the eight week process!
Coming in at number four on the list is The Ultimatum. The show follows five to six couples where one partner has issued an ultimatum to the other that they either get married or break up indefinitely. The craziest part of the process is that the couples go on a break and enter a trial marriage with one of the other contestants on the show! By the end of the eight week process, my head is absolutely spinning and I’m just watching the show through a screen. There was also recently a queer version of the show released and that offers up just as much absurdity as the original concept!
Moving from fourth and onto third we have Are You The One? which follows men and women paired up by relationship experts based on who is their “perfect match”. Over the course of the competition, the contestants randomly pair and compete in challenges, with the winning pair going on a date. By the end of the date, they get to enter a box telling them whether or not they are a perfect match. At the end of each night, all the contestants have to pair up to try to guess their perfect matches. It’s like speed dating times 100. When I watch the show, I feel like I am a part of the show guessing right along with them!
Down to our last two! The second to last is Love Is Blind, which follows 15 men and women who speed date without seeing each other. They date in what are called “pods” and shed the typical shallowness of dating by getting to know someone solely based on personality. When you find the love of your life, you get engaged and see them for the first time in a larger than life reveal. You go on a honeymoon, live together, and have a wedding truly deciphering whether love is blind. This is one of my favorite shows and it is quite entertaining watching individuals get to know each other without a single preconceived notion attached and I truly do fall in love with these couples as I watch the series.
The long anticipated number one spot goes to, Love On The Spectrum! This show follows single individuals on the spectrum as they navigate first dates, first kisses, and hopefully first relationships. This is my favorite reality dating show because it provides insight for neurotypical individuals to get a small glimpse into the dating life as well as the day to day life of someone on the spectrum. Representation matters and getting to follow this group of humans on their dating journey is one of my favorite things to watch. I love cheering them on when they have a good date or simply make a new friend. It is rewarding and the type of television that all people should be striving to watch. If you want to watch a program with a smile on your face, look no further then Love On The Spectrum!