Hayu Reality Shows that aren’t about the Real Housewives

By now, you’ve probably witnessed the drama that goes down on various instalments of the Real Housewives shows. Although entertaining and a tad dramatic, such content gives reality TV a bad reputation. And while the OTT platform Hayu offers a binge-fest into the lives of the housewives, there are other reality shows you can explore.

Botched (Hayu, Jio Cinema)

Living in an era of Instagram influencers and the pressure to meet unrealistic beauty standards, we are no strangers to the effects of plastic surgery. But what happens when a plastic surgery procedure goes horribly wrong? That’s when the stars of Botched, doctors Terry Dubrow and Paul Nassif, step in and remedy what’s amiss. Spanning 7 seasons, the show deals with all sorts of cases, including people who get procedures to look like dolls or their favourite celebrities. Once you start watching, Botched is like doing down a rabbit hole and you just can’t give it up before running through all seven seasons. You’ve been warned.

The Millionaire Matchmaker (Hayu)

Finding love is hard, even if you have a million dollars! But thankfully, for the uber-rich, matchmaker extraordinaire Patti Stanger has much to offer. The show focuses on Patti finding compatible matches for her wealthy clients and the ensuing drama. Running for 8 seasons, the show leaves you chuckling at some of the participants while simultaneously rooting for them to find their soul mate. Whether you watch it with friends at a sleepover or on a date night, The Millionaire Matchmaker makes for an entertaining viewing experience.

Top Chef (Hayu)

Nothing beats a good show that focuses on food, and Top Chef is proof of just that. With contestants battling it out to win the title with creative and awe-inspiring dishes, the show will get your creative juices flowing. And if it doesn’t, it’ll surely make you drool over the elaborately-presented dishes. With judges such as Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons and presented by Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef will arm you with enough culinary knowledge to pull through a conversation with a chef. Learn the jargon and put it to practice the next time you visit a fancy restaurant. Remember to keep sufficient snacks handy while you binge Top Chef; you’ll need it.

Flip it Like Disick (Hayu, Jio Cinema)

No list on reality shows is complete without mentioning the Kardashian clan. Although not technically a Kardashian, you’ve seen Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian’s ex-partner, making audiences laugh on Keeping Up with the Kardashians (now streaming on Hayu and Netflix). With this show, Lord Disick brings his home renovation talents to the fore, flipping luxury houses and turning them into brand new spaces. Watch the show for some much-needed inspiration to spruce up your home decor.

Now that you’re armed with a list of quality reality TV shows to watch, cancel your weekend plans, and let the binge-watching begin.