Summer 2023 reality TV schedule and guide – reality blurred

Summer is here! And so are the big reality TV shows. While we’ll have to wait longer than usual for some of them, there will be plenty to watch. Returning shows include Claim to Fame, an all-star Project Runway, American Ninja Warrior, and The Bachelorette, while new shows range from Superfan to Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake.

This guide includes premiere dates for all reality show and documentary series premieres on broadcast, streaming, and cable TV in the United States this spring and beyond. Times listed are in ET/PT.

For any reality shows that premiered before June 1, 2023, such as America’s Got Talent, Hoarders, Barbecue Showdown, and The Kardashians, refer to the spring 2023 schedule.

For feature documentaries and reality TV specials, see the summer 2023 documentary premiere guide.

Program descriptions in quotation marks indicate that the text has come from network press releases, the show’s website, or other official materials. Other summaries are mostly my snarkiness.

I frequently update this list throughout the quarter, and work hard to ensure this a comprehensive list of reality TV and documentary series premieres—although that’s increasingly challenging now as schedules change frequently and some networks have stopped publicly announcing returning seasons.

If you have any updates, additions, or corrections, please send them to me. Thank you!

Summer 2023 reality TV premieres

June | July | August

June 2023

• Naked. Loud. Proud. (Max, June 1). “Discover the key members of Poland’s LGBTQ+ drag and burlesque scene”
• All Star Shore (MTV, June 1, Thursdays at 8). The Paramount+ series comes to cable; reality TV stars “battle it out for a cash prize”
• The Dead Files (Travel Channel, June 1, Thursdays at 9). “Former NYPD homicide detective Steve DiSchiavi and medium Amy Allan reunite to help solve incidents of devastating paranormal activity for beleaguered homeowners”
• Eli Roth Presents: The Legion Of Exorcists (Travel Channel, June 1, Thursdays at 10). “details terrifying stories of demonic possession from cursed objects inflicting harm to complete human body takeovers”
• Searching For Soul Food (Hulu, June 2). “follows rock star celebrity chef Alisa Reynolds as she discovers what soul food looks like around the world”
• Queen of the Universe (Paramount+, June 2, Fridays). “the world’s fiercest queens … debut a new musical performance in front of a live audience” and are judged by Michelle Visage, Vanessa Williams, Trixie Mattel, and Mel B.
• Guy’s All-American Road Trip (Food Network, June 2, Fridays at 9). “the Fieris, along with a caravan of campers full of their family and friends, hit the road for an unforgettable trip full of wild adventures, family competitions, and some of the best food in Tennessee and Kentucky.”
• Painting with John (HBO, June 2, Fridays at 11). “Cult-favorite musician, actor, director, painter, and The Lounge Lizards founder John Lurie returns” with “the artist enhancing his intricate watercolor techniques while reflecting on life lessons big and small”
• Vacation House Rules (HGTV, June 3, Saturdays at 9). “contractor and real estate expert Scott McGillivray … shows families how to unlock the full potential of their vacation property”
• Zombie House Flipping (A&E, June 3, Saturdays at 11). “Justin Stamper, Ashlee Casserly, and Keith Ori have made a name for themselves flipping rotting, abandoned properties – ‘zombie houses’ – into beautifully remade homes”

Week of June 4, 2023

• 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days (TLC, June 4, Sundays at 8). “7 brand new couples preparing to meet their partner in person for the first time, and one returning favorite, reuniting to figure out if they have what it takes to make their relationship work”
• Battle on the Beach (HGTV, June 4, Sundays at 9). “heads to vacation hotspot Gulf Shores, Alabama,” where Taniya Nayak, Ty Pennington, and Alison Victoria will mentor teams that compete weekly challenges
• America’s National Parks (National Geographic, June 5, Mondays at 9). “depicts the beauty and wonder of cherished natural space”
• The Age of Influence (Hulu, June 5). “an unfiltered look at the rise and fall of infamous influencers”
• American Ninja Warrior (NBC, June 5, Mondays at 8). “returns with the most elite athletes in the country competing on the world’s most difficult obstacle courses”
• Stars on Mars (Fox, June 5, Mondays at 8). “adventurous celebrities prepare for take-off to the red planet, where they will live, eat, sleep, strategize, and bond with each other in … conditions that simulate life on Mars”
• Crime Scene Kitchen (Fox, June 5, Mondays at 9). “bakers are tasked with decoding what type of dessert was made” and “must then recreate the recipe for celebrity judges”
• Destination: European Nights (Paramount+, June 6). “award-winning soccer journalist and CBS Sports analyst Guillem Balagué … travels tens of thousands of miles” to explore “the scenes, the people and the players that provide the genius, drama and thrills that make the UEFA Champions League”
• Body Cam (ID, June 6, Tuesdays at 9). “uses body camera footage” from police officers
• Customer Wars (A&E, June 6, Tuesdays at 9). “spotlights the conflicts that arise when disgruntled and irrational customers come face-to-face with the employees doing their best to take care of their needs”
• Storage Wars (A&E, June 6, Tuesdays at 10). “returns to bidding, buying and selling for a new season of wild auction battles in California”
• Late Night Lockup (ID, June 6, Tuesdays at 10). “all the commotion that transpires during graveyard shifts”
• The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch (History, June 6, Tuesdays at 10). “the team goes deeper and higher than ever before, applying cutting edge technology to investigate the 512-acre property”
• Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs (Hulu, June 7). “follows 10 Muslim American sisters whose faith and bonds are put to the ultimate test while trying to navigate cultural expectations, their careers and love in Los Angeles”
• Arnold (Netflix, June 7). “An intimate look inside the life and career of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pulling back the curtain like never before.”
• Big Freedia Means Business (Fuse, June 7, Wednesdays at 10). Big Freedia “explores all of the music and entrepreneurial opportunities that have opened up to her”
• Love Is Blind: Brazil (Netflix, June 7). “Camila Queiroz and Klebber Toledo guide a new batch of Brazilian singles through their search to find the one.”
• The Real Housewives of Orange County (Bravo, June 7, Wednesdays at 8). “Tamra Judge makes her triumphant return … joining veteran Housewives Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson,” plus new cast member Jennifer Pedranti and RHOBH’s Taylor Armstrong joins as a friend
• Mysteries of the Abandoned (Discovery Channel, June 7, Wednesdays at 11). “stories of the extraordinary people who originally designed these [engineering] marvels and those now bringing new life to each project”
• Tour de France: Unchained (Netflix, June 8). “follows several cycling teams as they compete in the 2022 installment of the world’s most grueling bike race”
• Alone (History Channel, June 8, Thursdays at 9). “Dropped in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada—home to vicious predators including territorial black bear, wolves, and moose—the ten survivalists will compete with each other … in an effort to last for as long as they can”
• Tribunal Justice (Amazon Freevee, June 9, weekdays). “features a panel of three judges adjudicating real and compelling cases … followed by a lively and spirited deliberation”
• Match Me in Miami (Roku Channel, June 9). “spotlights an elite matchmaking agency challenged with coupling up singles in the city where the party never ends”
• The Proof is Out There (History Channel, June 9, Fridays at 10). “an in-depth look at some of the most incredible and thought-provoking videos of unexplained phenomena and mysterious must-see moments”
• Build It Forward (HGTV, June 10, Saturdays at 6). “designer Taniya Nayak and builder Shane Duffy will surprise five dedicated community heroes … [with] a surprise, life-enhancing renovation for their home and community project”
• New York Homicide (Oxygen, June 10, Saturdays at 9). “investigates murders that shook the city to its core, and the unrelenting grit shown by law enforcement, family and friends who stopped at nothing to get justice”

Week of June 11, 2023

• Yellowstone Wardens (Animal Planet, June 11, Sundays at 9). “the lives of conservation officers of Montana defending public lands, handling anti-poaching sting operations, and more.”
• WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures (A&E, June 11, Sundays at 9). “WWE Legends Booker T, Mick Foley, and Lita [are] leading the search to reclaim WWE’s most iconic memorabilia”
• Stone Cold Takes on America (A&E, June 11, Sundays at 10). “Austin hits the road in his RV, accepting challenges from fans that push him out of his comfort zone”
• Hey Yahoo! (Game Show Network, June 12, weekdays at 8). “two teams of three players each compete to guess what millions of people are searching for on Yahoo”
• Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (MTV, June 13, Tuesdays at 8). “original cast members are making comebacks after major setback” while new cast try “to prove themselves as the next big musicians rising out of Atlanta”
• Why the Heck Did I Buy This House? (HGTV, June 13, Tuesdays at 8). Survivor winner Kim Wolfe “uses her expert skills to reinvent lifeless spaces and make homeowners finally fall in love with their home”
• Our Planet II (Netflix, June 14). “unravels the mysteries of how and why animals migrate to reveal some of the most dramatic and compelling stories in the natural world”
• Temptation Island (USA Network, June 14, Wednesdays at 9). “Four couples at a crossroads try “single life” to decide if they should stay together.”
• Small Town Potential (HGTV, June 14, Wednesdays at 9). “real estate agent and designer, Davina Thomasula, and her life partner and contractor, Kristin Leitheuser, will help families who are ready to settle down in a cozy upstate New York town find the perfect house to renovate”
• Save My Skin (TLC, June 14, Wednesdays at 9). “Dermatologist Dr. Emma Craythorne is busier than ever as patients arrive from near and far seeking help for their extreme skin ailments”
• The Big D (USA Network, June 14, Wednesdays at 10). “JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rogers host as recent divorcees search for romance in paradise with one catch: their exes are along for the journey.”
• Swiping America (Max, June 15, Thursdays). “follows a group of diverse singles from New York City (Ashleigh, Kesun, Kris, Reagan) on an introspective, eight-city dating app journey”
• Project Runway All-Stars (Bravo, June 15, Thursdays at 8). “Fourteen of the most beloved designers from across 19 seasons are given one last shot to change their life forever with a career-defining win”
• 60 Days In (A&E, June 15, Thursdays at 9). people “volunteer to go behind bars at the Pitt County Detention Center,” ugh
• Outchef’d (Food Network, June 15, Thursdays at 9:30). Eddie Jackson surprises chefs who are “thinking they are entering an audition” but are actually going “into a head-to-head culinary battle against a renowned world-class chef”
• True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes (Sundance, June 15, Thursdays at 10). “unfurls the bizarre story of Dr. George Kenney and his fall from grace after 10 years as a beloved principal at North Port High School in Florida where he practiced hypnosis on students.”
• Booked: First Day In (A&E, June 15, Thursdays at 10). “takes viewers through America’s booking process from the point of view of the arrestee”
• Morimoto’s Sushi Master (Roku Channel, June 16). “features renowned chef and restauranter Masaharu Morimoto as head judge of a cooking competition centered on the world’s most popular cuisine: sushi”
• Hoffman Family Gold (Discovery Channel, June 16, Fridays at 9). Todd “Hoffman returns to Alaska’s Mammoth Valley Mine with a plan to unearth 1,000 ounces of gold to turn a profit and pay off his $750,000 of debt”
• Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper (Nat Geo Wild, June 17, Saturdays at 10). “Life-long birder Christian Cooper takes us into the wild, wonderful and unpredictable world of birds”

Week of June 18, 2023

• The Great Food Truck Race: David and Goliath (Food Network, June 18, Sundays at 8). “nine teams from across the country … must prove their culinary expertise, marketing savvy and selling skills in action-packed challenges to beat their rivals”
• Beachside Brawl (Food Network, June 18, Sundays at 10). Antonia Lofaso hosts and Eric Adjepong and Brian Malarkey lead “teams of five professional cooks”
• Street Outlaws: Mega Cash Days (Discovery Channel, June 19, Mondays at 8). “follows 64 of the fastest small tire street racers who compete for a $100,000 cash prize at the end of the season”
• The Great American Recipe (PBS, June 19, Mondays at 9). “a new group of inventive home cooks … compete to wow the judges with their beloved signature dishes”
• Street Outlaws: After Hours (Discovery Channel, June 19, Mondays at 10). “takes viewers into the daily lives of the racing teams featured in Mega Cash Days from Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Memphis and California.”
• Break Point (Netflix, June 21). “The most promising players in tennis see dreams realized and hopes dashed as the second half of the 2022 season takes them from Wimbledon to the US Open”
• LA Fire & Rescue (NBC, June 21, Wednesdays at 8). “offers unprecedented access to the inner workings of the Los Angeles County Fire Department”
• Drag Race México (WOW Presents Plus, June 22). Lolita Banana and Valentina host as “eleven contestants seek to take home the crown, become Mexico’s next drag superstar and win a grand cash prize”
• Downey’s Dream Cars (Max, June 22, Thursdays). Robert Downey Jr. is “bringing his beloved old cars into the future, making them faster, more powerful, and more efficient while keeping their souls intact”
• Trippin’ with Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris (E!, June 22, Thursdays at 10). “Anthony and Mama Doris navigate other cultures and their mother/son relationship”
• Carpool Karaoke: The Series (Apple TV+, June 23). “All-new episodes feature Alison Brie, Darren Criss, Cara Delevingne, Cedric The Entertainer, Avril Lavigne, Lea Michele, Alanis Morissette, Danny Pudi, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Yungblud, the casts of Ghosts, Girls5eva, Apple TV+’s The Afterparty, and more”
• Catching Killers (Netflix, June 23). “Real-life investigators recount stories of cold-blooded killers, the desperate efforts to stop them and the brave people who brought them to justice”
• Love & Marriage: Detroit (OWN, June 24, Saturdays at 9). “a group of African American families with deep ties to Detroit who have decided to stay in the city and prove they can provide the best lives possible for their families in this community on a comeback”

Week of June 25, 2023

• Claim to Fame (ABC, June 26, Mondays at 8). “challenges relatives of celebrities to live together under one roof and conceal their identity and lineage in the quest for their own fame and fortune”
• The Bachelorette (ABC, June 26, Mondays at 9). “Charity Lawson’s journey to find love will continue when she steps in as the leading woman”
• Secret Chef (Hulu, June 29). “Guided by a mischievous animated talking hat, the [pro and amateur] chefs are tasked to perform a series of cooking challenges” and “must rate each other’s final dishes in blind taste tests”
• Press Your Luck (ABC, June 29, Thursdays at 8). Elizabeth Banks hosts the “game of wits, strategy and even higher stakes as contestants try to avoid the iconic and devilish WHAMMY”
• Generation Gap (ABC, June 29, Thursdays at 9). “pairs teams of seniors and juniors, challenging them to answer questions about pop culture from each other’s generations”
• Christina on the Coast (HGTV, June 29, Thursdays at 9). “Christina and her team, including fellow designer and project manager James Bender, will take on more clients looking for the coastal-inspired renovation”
• The Chase (ABC, June 29, Thursdays at 10). “three competitors face off against the Chaser, a ruthless quiz genius determined to stop them from winning cash prizes”
• Revealed (HGTV, June 29, Thursdays at 10). Veronica Valencia and her team are “creating beautiful and modern spaces that honor the family’s cultural heritage”
• Is it Cake, Too? (Netflix, June 30). Bakers “compete to create hyper-realistic cakes that look exactly like everyday objects”

July 2023

• Unknown (Netflix, July 3, Mondays). “tells breathtaking stories of adventure and exploration in awe-inspiring uncharted territories”
• Human Footprint (PBS, July 5, Wednesdays at 9). “biologist and Princeton University professor Shane Campbell-Staton embarks on a journey to understand all the ways humans have transformed the planet”

Week of July 9, 2023

• The Prank Panel (ABC, July 9, Sundays at 8). “lets everyday people pitch pranks targeting family members, friends and co-workers to a panel of the world’s greatest pranksters”
• Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake (Bravo, July 9 at 9, then Sundays at 10). “The Benton City Council surprises the town residents by inviting … Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan to help spruce up their small town (population just shy of 7,000) that was devastated by the pandemic”
• Celebrity Family Feud (ABC, July 9, Sundays at 9). Steve Harvey hosts as “celebrities, along with their immediate family members or their extended TV families, going head-to-head”
• The $100,000 Pyramid (ABC, July 9, Sundays at 10). “Michael Strahan is back to host … the timeless word-association game where two celebrities and their contestant partners face off”
• BBQ Brawl (Food Network, July 10, Mondays at 9). “superstar chefs Bobby Flay, Anne Burrell and series newcomer Sunny Anderson coach twelve of the best pitmasters from across the country in high-stakes challenges”
• BBQ USA (Food Network, July 10 at 10:30, Mondays at 10). “Michael Symon is back with more sizzling heat, tantalizing smoke, and mouthwatering action at the country’s biggest and toughest BBQ competitions”
• Eli Roth Presents: A Ghost Ruined My Life (Travel Channel, July 13, Thursdays at 9). “real-life stories of hauntings that have left emotional and sometimes physical scars”

Week of July 16, 2023

• The Real Housewives of New York City (Bravo, July 16, Sundays at 9). “Six independent and successful women—Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank and Brynn Whitfield—are taking the city that never sleeps by storm”
• America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston (PBS, July 18, Thursdays at 9). “the best-selling writer, podcaster, and comedian travels across the U.S. to uncover more amazing stories about how we work, play, and interact with the outdoors”
• Southern Storytellers (PBS, July 18, Tuesdays at 10). “follows some of the region’s most compelling and influential contemporary creators to the places they call home — the communities that fertilize the stories they tell in books, songs, poems, plays and on screens large and small”

Week of July 23, 2023

• Secret Celebrity Renovation (CBS, July 28, Fridays at 9). Nischelle Turner hosts and Rob Mariano and Sabrina Soto design as celebrities “show their gratitude to someone in their hometowns through a surprise renovation”
• How to with John Wilson (HBO, July 28, Fridays at 11). “John Wilson continues his heartfelt mission of self-discovery, exploration, and observation as he films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on six new deceptively simple and wildly random topics”

Week of July 30, 2023

August 2023

• Big Brother 25 (CBS, Aug. 2, Wednesdays and Sundays at 8, Thursdays at 9). “Expect the unexpected this summer with a season full of twists and turns and throwbacks to the last 24 seasons”
• Superfan (CBS, Aug. 9, Wednesdays at 9). “features six music superstars as they each crown their biggest fan” via “contestants vying in multiple rounds of play to prove they are their favorite artist’s most devoted supporter”
• The Challenge: USA (CBS, Aug. 10, Thursdays at 10, also Sundays at 9 until Aug. 31). CBS and MTV reality stars “will compete in one of the most unpredictable and demanding games”