Reality TV-Inspired Shows That Do It Better Than Reality

Reality television has dominated the airwaves for decades by promising unscripted drama and authentic human interaction. Scripted series have responded by adopting the shaky cameras and confessional interviews to tell stories that feel arguably more genuine than the shows they mimic. These mockumentaries and satires use the conventions of the genre to highlight the absurdity of manufactured fame and editing manipulation. Writers and actors find unique ways to explore character depth when the subjects are performing for an audience within the show itself.

‘UnREAL’ (2015–2018)

This drama series exposes the manipulative chaos occurring behind the scenes of a popular dating competition show called Everlasting. A young producer named Rachel Goldberg struggles with her conscience while obeying her ruthless boss Quinn King to generate outrageous footage. The narrative explores the psychological toll taken on both the contestants and the production crew as they manufacture drama for ratings. Viewers witness how editing and coercion construct the narratives often presented as unscripted reality television.

‘The Comeback’ (2005–2014)

Lisa Kudrow stars as Valerie Cherish in this satirical look at the lengths a fading sitcom star will go to for fame. Valerie allows a camera crew to document her life as she attempts to revitalize her career by starring in a new sitcom. The series utilizes raw footage to highlight the awkward and humiliating moments Valerie endures while trying to maintain her dignity. It provides a cringeworthy yet insightful critique of the celebrity reality show genre and the entertainment industry.

‘Dead Set’ (2008)

A fictional season of Big Brother becomes the setting for a gruesome nightmare when a zombie outbreak overtakes the United Kingdom. The housemates remain oblivious to the apocalypse outside until the undead invade the studio compound during an eviction night. This miniseries blends horror and satire to comment on the voyeuristic nature of reality television and society’s obsession with fame. The isolated nature of the reality show set provides a unique backdrop for a survival story against overwhelming odds.

‘Burning Love’ (2012–2013)

This web series turned television show serves as a direct parody of The Bachelor and other dating competition programs. Fireman Mark Orlando searches for the perfect woman among a cast of eccentric contestants who embody familiar reality TV tropes. The show exaggerates the emotional breakdowns and competitive absurdity found in genuine dating shows to comedic effect. Comedic actors portray the desperate singles participating in ridiculous group dates and elimination ceremonies.

‘Reno 911!’ (2003–2022)

Officers of the Reno Sheriff’s Department allow a documentary crew to film their daily duties in this parody of the show Cops. The incompetent deputies deal with strange local criminals and interpersonal drama while responding to emergency calls. Much of the dialogue is improvised by the cast to mimic the spontaneous and chaotic feel of actual law enforcement ride-along shows. The series highlights the absurdity of police procedural reality shows through slapstick humor and bizarre character interactions.

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

Employees at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton navigate their workdays under the watchful eye of a documentary film crew. Regional Manager Michael Scott constantly performs for the cameras while his staff attempts to maintain productivity despite his distractions. The mockumentary format allows characters to share their inner thoughts through confessionals that often contradict their public actions. This stylistic choice revolutionized the sitcom genre by grounding the humor in mundane office realism.

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

The Parks Department of Pawnee becomes the subject of a documentary tracking the efforts of Leslie Knope to improve her town. Cameras follow public officials as they navigate local government bureaucracy and eccentric town hall meetings. The show utilizes the single-camera setup to capture subtle reactions and breaking of the fourth wall by the characters. It presents an optimistic spin on the format by focusing on a group of colleagues who genuinely care about their community.

‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)

A documentary crew is granted access to the Staten Island home of four vampires who have lived together for hundreds of years. The roommates struggle to adapt to the modern world while dealing with supernatural threats and mundane household conflicts. Viewers watch as the vampires interact with the local community and attempt to maintain their secret existence while constantly seeking attention. The show applies the conventions of reality television to a fantasy setting to normalize the extraordinary lives of its subjects.

‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)

Three diverse branches of the Pritchett-Dunphy clan face the complications of contemporary family life while being filmed for an unseen documentary. The series explores themes of parenting and marriage through the lens of a handheld camera that captures intimate domestic moments. Characters frequently address the audience directly to explain their motivations or clarify misunderstandings within the family dynamic. This approach allows for a multifaceted storytelling technique that connects three distinct households into one cohesive narrative.

‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021–Present)

Teachers at an underfunded Philadelphia public school work tirelessly to help their students succeed despite numerous administrative challenges. A documentary crew captures the daily struggles and triumphs of the optimistic Janine Teagues and her veteran colleagues. The show uses the mockumentary style to shed light on the realities of the American education system while delivering character-driven humor. The camera captures the knowing glances shared between teachers as they navigate chaotic classrooms and budget constraints.

‘Total Drama Island’ (2007–2014)

Teenage contestants compete in dangerous challenges at a dilapidated summer camp for the chance to win a large cash prize. This animated series satirizes shows like Survivor by subjecting its cast to disgusting food and physically demanding obstacles. The host Chris McLean revels in the suffering of the campers while manipulating the game to increase tension and ratings. Relationships form and crumble as the animated characters strategize to avoid the elimination ceremony at the campfire.

‘Drawn Together’ (2004–2007)

Eight animated archetypes from different genres are forced to live together in a house equipped with cameras watching their every move. The housemates include a superhero and a fairy tale princess who engage in crude behavior and conflicts typical of reality shows like The Real World. The series parodies the animation medium itself while mocking the contrived drama of unscripted television house-shares. Viewers see cartoon characters dealing with adult themes and elimination challenges in a surreal environment.

‘American Vandal’ (2017–2018)

High school filmmakers investigate a prank involving vandalism to determine if the accused student is truly guilty of the crime. The series meticulously adopts the tone and style of serious true-crime documentaries like Making a Murderer to analyze a ridiculous premise. Interviews and forensic analysis are used to uncover the social hierarchy and secrets of the student body. The show serves as both a gripping mystery and a satirical take on the self-serious nature of modern crime docuseries.

‘Bajillion Dollar Propertie$’ (2016–2019)

Seven ambitious real estate agents compete for a partnership at a luxury firm in Los Angeles while selling high-end real estate. The show parodies programs like Million Dollar Listing by amplifying the egos and personal dramas of the brokers. Cameras follow the agents as they deal with eccentric clients and backstab each other to close the most expensive deals. The semi-scripted dialogue allows comedians to improvise absurd negotiations and tour ridiculous properties.

‘Review’ (2014–2017)

Critic Forrest MacNeil hosts a television program where he reviews real-life experiences rather than movies or food. He commits to experiencing difficult scenarios such as addiction or divorce to give them a star rating for his audience. The series showcases the destruction of his personal life as he steadfastly refuses to quit the show despite the consequences. It acts as a dark satire on the concept of participatory journalism and the obsessive nature of fulfilling a premise.

Tell us which of these mockumentary masterpieces captures the reality TV vibe best in the comments.