Welcome to the first annual Reality Tea Awards! Today, we will be celebrating some of the best and most captivating competition reality shows of 2024. Let’s face it, there are a ton of reality competition shows to choose from. So, after careful consideration, the Reality Tea staff voted on four nominees, as well as our top pick.
Some of our selections are newbies on the block that kept viewers guessing. Who knew that a private island, some high-dollar value briefcases, and a slightly deranged Banker would breathe new life into a beloved series?
Plus, one show has been gracing our television screens since 1998, with no signs of slowing down. It features high-octane thrills combined with some tense personal relationships.
Some other series weren’t new but really picked up steam this year. All of these shows had people buzzing about the most recent episodes. So, here are our nominees, and the winner, of the Best Competition Reality Show of the Year!
Best Competition Reality Show of the Year Nominee: Deal or No Deal Island
Deal or No Deal Island is a reboot of the beloved game show Deal or No Deal. This time, contestants compete on the Banker’s private island to try and win the biggest cash prize on TV. During challenges, players locate briefcases, each with a cash value. These are added to the final case’s total.
Plus, the winner of each challenge sends one player to face the Banker. If that contestant makes a good deal, they send someone home. And if not? They are ousted. In the end, the last player competes against the Banker for the money in the final case. Plus, this show has tons of twists and scary challenges.
Host Joe Manganiello is back as the Banker’s intermediary, and this time, a mysterious female Banker is calling the shots. Season 1 of the show included Survivor legend “Boston” Rob Mariano and Claudia Jordan from Real Housewives of Atlanta. For Season 2, which premieres in January 2025, three more reality stars will be competing.
Best Competition Reality Show of the Year Nominee: The Anonymous
Another new competition show, The Anonymous, premiered on the USA network in August 2024. In this series, the winner can walk away with up to $100,000. The hitch?
This game is played in two worlds: the actual world and in “Anonymous Mode.”
The contestants, who live together, compete in challenges to increase the value of the prize pot each week. When in “Anonymous Mode,” the players choose a digital name and keep their true identity a secret. During this phase of the game, the contestants can be more strategic and even brutal. After each challenge, the player who best hid their identity sends another contestant home.
Of course, what would a show be without a host? In this case, the host is DANI, aka Digital Anonymous Networking Interface. DANI gives the competitors daily instructions and lays out the rules for each challenge.
This game is wildly unpredictable, like when DANI randomly added three new players to the mix. The Anonymous is a real nail-biter of a thrill ride.
Best Competition Reality Show of the Year Nominee: The Challenge
In 1998, when The Challenge first aired on MTV, it featured cast members from The Real World and Road Rules franchises. The insane physical challenges, along with the drama that stems from living together under one roof, were reality TV gold. This show is still positively addictive.
As time went on, The Challenge gained international franchises. As the series stands now, players from international franchises, as well as other competition series like Survivor and Big Brother, have joined the cast.
Of course, this show is known for its epic rivalries, fierce competition, messy romantic entanglements, and bad blood. Several fan favorites are household names, including Chris “CT” Tamburello, Cara Maria Sorbello, and Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio.
Season 40 of The Challenge: Battle of the Eras did not disappoint, with cast members representing four eras of the show. The 40 players competed for their part of the cool $1 million prize. Even after all these years, The Challenge finds ways to keep upping the heart-pounding suspense.
Best Competition Reality Show of the Year Nominee: Love Island USA
Love Island USA is a dating competition series. The contestants meet and form couples, all while competing in challenges. And when temptation knocks, the players must decide if they will cut their current partner loose in order to “recouple.”
Plus, fans have a big say in who receives another chance at finding love, and who gets a plane ticket home. In the end, the couple who is voted “most compatible” takes home a cash prize, and hopefully, true love.
As for the challenges, my absolute favorite is the “Heart Rate Challenge.” The cast is divided by gender. Then, each contestant performs before the group, hoping to raise the other gender’s heart rates.
In addition, Season 6 of Love Island USA exploded in popularity when Vanderpump Rules alum Ariana Madix took on hosting duties. Ariana was an obsessed fan of the series and made an appearance during Season 5. She was destined to host this series. Plus, her fashion was amazing, as was her sisterly vibe with the contestants.
Best Competition Reality Show of the Year Winner: The Traitors
The Traitors was our winner, and the reasons aren’t surprising. Alan Cumming is witty and deviously delightful as he hosts a group of celebrities at a castle in the Scottish Highlands. He secretly selects two Traitors who will keep their identities hidden. Then they will murder one Faithful each night.
Meanwhile, every night at an explosive round table, the group votes out one player, hoping that they have identified a Traitor. All the while, the players compete in physical challenges to add money to the prize pot. The last Faithfuls split the cash prize unless a Traitor remains. Then the Traitor takes it all.
Plus, the social game is everything in this series. Contestants must convince the others that they aren’t a Traitor. Deception, lies, and betrayal are around every corner in this mind-blowing show.
The Traitors took home the Emmy for Outstanding Reality Competition Program for Season 2, and Alan won the Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program. Don’t sleep on The Traitors. Get ready, because Season 3 returns in January 2025 on Peacock.
TELL US – WHICH OF THESE COMPETITION SERIES IS YOUR FAVORITE?
