NBC Reality TV Shows

Over the years, NBC reality TV shows have struggled in the ratings race because the network is overpowered by Fox, ABC and CBS, which have all created award-winning programs such as American Idol, The Amazing Race and Extreme Makeover. However, there have been a couple of reality shows on NBC that have caught the attention of the viewing public.

While NBC has seen the rise and fall of many reality shows, there are a few that have stuck it out for more than just one or two seasons.

Dubbed the ultimate job interview, The Apprentice takes 18 contestants, divides them into two teams and runs them through a variety of tasks. The team that fails to complete the task up to specific standards is taken to Donald Trump's boardroom where it is decided who will be eliminated or fired. The contestant who makes it all the way through the 16-week job interview has a chance of being hired to work within the Trump Organization.

The Apprentice, created by Mark Burnett, came to NBC in January 2004. While it shot to the top of the ratings for the first few seasons, viewers had enough of watching the same old thing. After six seasons the show changed its format, coming back a year later with a new name and premise: The Celebrity Apprentice. This show takes B-list celebrities and gives them a chance to raise money through similar types of tasks for their favorite charities. In the end, instead of landing a job with Donald Trump's organization, that $250,000 salary is donated to the winner's choice of charity. Although it didn't prove to be the hit the original Apprentice was, it did fare well enough for another season.

Take your greatest fear, couple it with the most disgusting thing you could stomach and throw in a few outlandish stunts. The next step is to offer contestants a chance to win $50,000 and various other prizes, and you have Fear Factor. This NBC reality TV show came to the airwaves in 2001 and lasted six seasons.

The gist of show was this: pit contestants against one another by having them compete in a series of three stunts including a physical test, a mental challenge and an extreme feat. If an individual or team did not perform the stunt, didn't do it fast enough or couldn't complete it, they were eliminated. Stunts included jumping off buildings, eating cockroaches or escaping from cars sinking in the water. The show, which was NBC's answer to Survivor, was canceled in 2006 after declining ratings.

It's no secret the number of overweight Americans is growing. Why not create a reality show that allows them to come on national television and shed those extra pounds? That is what NBC officials did in 2004 when The Biggest Loser first aired. After the first casting call went out, thousands upon thousands of men and women wanted help to lose weight and they wanted to do it on this show. This premise worked. For a grand prize of $250,000 the individual with the highest percentage of weight loss wins.

With the help of nutritionists and personal trainers, chosen contestants (usually between eight and 16 total) leave the comfort of their homes and families and commit to having their lives put under a microscope. Their mental, emotional and physical states are put through exhausting challenges. An individual can be eliminated from the competition if they receive the lowest percentage of weight loss that week. A ratings grabber, Season 6 premiered September 16, 2008 with casting calls already under way for Season 7.

Just as there have been some great reality shows on NBC, there have also been quite a few that didn't make the cut. They include:

• America's Toughest Jobs (2008)
• My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad (2008)
• Grease: You're the One that I Want! (2007)
• Phenomenon (2007)
• Thank God You're Here (2007)
• The Real Wedding Crashers (2007)
• Celebrity Cooking Showdown (2006)
• The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (2005)
• The Contender (2005)
• The Law Firm (2005)
• Three Wishes (2005)
• Tommy Lee Goes to College (2005)
• America's Most Talented Kid (2003)
• For Love Or Money (2003-2004)
• Race to the Altar (2003)
• The Restaurant (2003-2004)
• Who Wants to Marry My Dad? (2003-2004)
• Dog Eat Dog (2002-2003)
• Spy TV (2001-2002)
• Unsolved Mysteries (1987-2002)
• Real People (1979-1984)

For more information on NBC reality television shows, check out the NBC website. You can also look up the name for each show online to get more information about casting calls and applications.

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