7.2/1021 votes#1 - The Swan
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/3/2024
"The Swan" is supposed to be fairytale makeover television, but when the cast discover they're really contestants in a plastic surgery face-off, it becomes a grueling nightmare.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/1020 votes#2 - Kid Nation
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/17/2024
When 40 children are chosen from America's best and brightest to form their own society in the middle of the New Mexico desert, it quickly descends into Lord of the Flies 2.0.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/1015 votes#3 - Joe Millionaire
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 9/24/2024
It's TV's biggest ever bait and switch - 20 women are deceived into believing their would-be suitor is worth millions, and made to look like gold diggers in front of 70m viewers.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/1014 votes#4 - The Surreal Life
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/1/2024
Seven celebs spend ten days together in a Hollywood mansion, but what starts as a social experiment gets out of hand after producers cast personalities that explode on contact.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/1017 votes#5 - Hell's Kitchen
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/8/2024
The meanest man on television runs his contestants through a verbal assault course as they vye for a dream job working under him. But is this a cooking contest, or just a game show?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.7/1013 votes#6 - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/15/2024
Gifting new homes to families in dire straits seems anything but dark; but viewers don't get to see how the houses become money-pits, that lead to family fallout and massive debt.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.3/1013 votes#7 - Survivor - Season One
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 10/22/2024
It kickstarted a TV revolution, and gave rise to reality's first villain. But was the real winner of Survivor's first season Richard Hatch, or the show's creator, Mark Burnett?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/109 votes#8 - The Real Housewives
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 10/29/2024
Over 20 years after it first aired, and with a franchise on almost every continent, how did a show about housewives create some of the most compelling and controversial TV ever?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/108 votes#9 - Toddlers & Tiaras
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/12/2024
TLC's tantrum-filled pageant show was controversial from the start, but were these toddlers and their moms organically outrageous, or did producers juice things up for television?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/107 votes#10 - America's Next Top Model
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/19/2024
Tyra Banks promises to give aspiring models the tools they needed to succeed in a tough industry; exploring how the show impacted their careers and lives.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Dark Side of Reality TV Season 1
Every episode of Dark Side of Reality TV Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Dark Side of Reality TV Season 1!
Dive deep beyond the infamous makeovers, romances and eliminations that helped define an entire TV genre, to bring you stories you've never heard before from...
Genres:DocumentaryReality
Network:Vice TV
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"The Swan" is the best rated episode of "Dark Side of Reality TV" season 1. It scored 7.2/10 based on 21 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 9/3/2024. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Kid Nation".