I wasn’t a huge fan of reality TV until I started watching the plethora of Australian reality shows on Netflix. I’m not sure what it is that makes them so much better than the American shows I refuse to watch. Maybe it’s the accents or the strange yet familiar culture. Regardless, I have compiled a list of endlessly entertaining Australian reality shows. Be wary that this ranking considers entertainment value solely.
- Cheapest Weddings
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Premise: Australian couples planning their weddings on strict budgets. Often includes family drama, bridal party mishaps and last-minute catastrophes.
Best episode: Episode 2
Saddest episode: Episode 1
Accents: 10/10, can’t understand without subtitles.
- Yummy Mummies
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Premise: Docuseries that follows the lives of four rich, young, lavish mothers-to-be where they compete for the yummy mummy crown.
Best episode: none of them
Saddest episode: all of them
Favorite quote: “I’m gonna do Burbery at the hospital, I think it’s more ‘baby.’”
- Instant Hotel
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Premise: Teams of two travel to other competitors’ homes and rate their hotel experience and compete to win $100,000 prize.
Beautiful views: 10/10
Entertaining: 6/10
- Bringing Sexy Back
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Premise: This Biggest-Loser-esque TV show helps people reach their fitness goals and become “sexy again.” Although the fitness journeys are inspiring, the show’s language is dangerously fat-phobic.
Accents: 6/10
Fat shaming: 10/10
Inspiring: 10/10
- Bondi Ink
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Premise: This TV series follows the day-to-day business at a tattoo shop on Bondi Beach, which is basically the Miami of Australia.
Scripted drama: 10/10
Accents: 10/10
Best episode: all
- Extreme Engagement
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Premise: A recently engaged couple embarks on a one year trip around the world as they explore other cultures’ wedding customs, facing many survival-like challenges along the way. At the end they’ll decide if they still want to get married.
Scripted drama: 8/10
Accents: 3/10, the narrator sounds English
Favorite quote “Ugh, I guess that’s what I get for falling in love with a cross between Tarzan and Tarantino.”
- Unveiled
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Premise: Brides-to-be get plastic surgery before their big day where the final look will be revealed to her husband, family and friends.
Ridiculousness: 10/10
Awfulness: 10/10
Unlike many American reality TV shows, I would consider the Australian shows listed above as highly educational. If you only watch one, watch Cheapest Weddings and drink every time they say budget.