10 reality TV bombshells of 2023 that we just couldn't handle: From Bravo world to queer Netflix
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It's time to shout "Bravo" to the most memorable reality TV moments of 2023! What a year it's been for reality television fans, who have been constantly delighted by some of pop culture's most buzz-worthy moments due to our favorite reality stars.
From dramatic breakups and unexpected hookups to cast shake-ups, feuds, and firings, there has been no shortage of wild occurrences on our tiny screens in the last year.
"Scandoval" was one of the year's most talked-about stories, with news that 'Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval had cheated on his girlfriend of nine years Ariana Madix with co-star Rachel "Raquel" Leviss swiftly sweeping the globe by storm in March.
Continue reading to remember the bombshell moments from 'The Real Housewives', 'The Ultimatum,' 'Vanderpump Rules,' and more of your favorite reality television series this year.
'30 Rock's MILF Island turned into reality 15 years later with TLC's 'MILF Manor'
'The Simpsons' is praised for foreseeing political and cultural events, but credit must be given where credit is due: '30 Rock' developed a spoof of a TV program dubbed 'MILF Island' 15 years ago, mocking the vapid and ruthless attitude of 2000s reality competition shows. TLC then broadcast what is essentially the real-life version of that spoof in 2023.
'MILF Manor' cast nine women aged 40 to 60 and placed them in a Mexican villa to date younger men — but they failed to inform them that the dating pool would include their other cast members' 20-something offspring.
'MILF Manor,' a repackaged Oedipal nightmare, forced the cast to partake in hair-raising tests, such as blindfolding the women and having them feel up the shirtless men to determine who could identify their son the fastest.
Sadly, there were no winners, neither among the viewers nor among the candidates, since the majority of them opted to walk away from any nascent romances they began establishing on the show. However, the fact that 'MILF Island' became a reality is a win in and of itself.
'RHOA' star Kroy Biermann and Kim Zolciak's messy divorce
Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann have had a turbulent year.
After 11 years of marriage, 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' alums filed for divorce in May, claiming that their relationship was "irretrievably broken."
They tried a reconciliation two months later until Kroy filed again in August.
However, the parents of six posted their $6 million house for sale in October, indicating that their divorce is unavoidable.
'The Ultimatum: Queer Love' earns a controversy of its own
'The Ultimatum: Queer Love,' Netflix's follow-up to 'The Ultimatum,' brought together eight couples, all of whom had been given an ultimatum: get married or break up. As in the previous seasons, each couple was split up and partnered with a new partner to see whether they wanted to continue in the relationship with which they arrived or explore other options.
During that time, Vanessa Papa caused quite a commotion with her trial marriage partner, Rae Cheung-Sutton, which fans called "Fingergate."
Vanessa violated a clear agreement she had made with her partner, Xander Boger, not to do anything physical with their trial marriage partners. When Vanessa and Rae experience an intimate (and notorious) encounter on their second night together, this line is crossed early in their trial marriage.
When it comes to what transpired in that trial marriage bed, not much is left to the imagination based on the incident's title.
The incident causes a significant squabble between Rae and her initial partner, Lexi Goldberg, which results in multiple arguments, tears, and, surprise, a proposal. Rae and Lexi end up getting engaged after the season, but their relationship is strained by the reunion.
Xander had a physical relationship with their trial marriage partner, but it didn't produce quite the uproar that Vanessa did.
'Below Deck Down Under's inappropriate behavior scandal
Captain Jason Chambers of 'Below Deck Down Under' was forced to terminate two season two crewmembers for improper behavior.
After a night of partying, Bosun Luke Jones and Stew Laura Bileskalne were both sent home on the Bravo series' August 7 episode for making unwelcome sexual approaches towards their costars Stew Margot Sisson and Deckhand Adam Kodra, respectively. Chambers and Chief Stew Aesha Scott stepped in instantly to ensure the safety of their workers and let the two yachties leave.
'Love is Blind' Season 4's Zack Goytowski and Irina Solomonova make fateful attempt to connect outside pods
The fourth season of Netflix's 'Love Is Blind' is full of unexpected twists and gasp-worthy moments. But, of all the narratives provided by the modern dating show, Zack Goytowski and Irina Solomonova's post-pod effort at bonding in Mexico is possibly the most difficult to witness.
The pair got engaged despite a slew of red signals, including Zack's close friendship with fellow constant Bliss Poureetezadi, whom he subsequently married.
When Zack and Irina eventually met, it was clear from the start that Irina was not drawn to him, even going so far as to describe him as a "cartoon character" to his face.
What followed was one of the most awkward post-engagement journeys in the show's history, as fans witnessed Zack and Irina failing horribly at transferring their bond in the pods to the outside world. If anybody thought they'd make it out of Mexico still engaged, they'd be wrong. In Episode 5, Irina hid her face with a pillow when Zack tried to have a candid chat with her about their relationship.
She was crazy about that one. This emphasized a crucial point: you can't marry someone you don't want to look at.
In the end, Zack plainly thought he'd made the wrong decision by proposing to Irina instead of Bliss, and Irina definitely wasn't attracted to her new fiance. After days of bickering and erecting emotional barricades, the two hit an impasse, resulting in a breakup chat that is as brutally honest and painful as anything you'll see on scripted television.
Tom Schwartz's and Kate Flood's liaison
'Vanderpump Rules' star Tom Schwartz proved he had a type when he hooked up with 'Below Deck Mediterranean' alum Katie Flood while filming season three of 'Winter House' earlier this year.
"We're definitely friends," Katie said in a December update on their no-strings-attached romance. She added, "We have a very flirtatious and cheeky relationship. I will say I'm very happy we managed to keep it really light."
Tom Hanks' niece has breakdown after being booted on 'Claim to Fame'
The show provided viewers with one of the year's finest reality meltdowns courtesy of competitor Carly Reeves, who was eliminated during the Season 2 opener after Hugo Wentzel (grandson of President Jimmy Carter) correctly identified her famous link as her uncle, Tom Hanks.
Tom is widely regarded as one of America's acting titans, but Carly's response to being booted from the program was as deserving of immortality.
Although Carly's time on the show was limited, she gave America everything she had when it came to crumbling: she cried, shifted the blame to her fellow competitors, yelled about the bench that appears in the movie poster for 'Forrest Gump', screamed in the stairwell, and used hot mic sound bites to call out other contestants for being foolish.
To put it briefly, it's a quintessential reality TV breakdown, the type deserving of an Oscar acceptance speech—that is if temper tantrums on TV could win awards.
Because of her outrageous response upon being eliminated, several conspiracy theorists speculated that Carly may be playing for the camera in an attempt to land acting opportunities in the future.
Carly, on the other hand, informed TMZ that her emotional reaction was absolutely genuine, for better or worse. Carly may not have inherited Hanks' acting abilities, but the family obviously has a genetic proclivity for drama, and we are pleased they continue to share their talents with the public.
Renewal of 'Vanderpump Rules' by Scandoval
Part of what has always captivated 'Vanderpump Rules' viewers is how the show's cast members change partners within their own buddy circle as casually as they flip shifts at SUR.
The exception to this trend has long been Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix, who began dating around Season 2 and looked to create a stable life partnership together.
However, as the Season 10 plot arc known to fans and non-fans alike as Scandoval proved, appearances can be deceptive, betrayal can come from any direction, and you should never trust a man who wears white nail paint.
On March 3, 2023, news of Tom and Ariana's separation began to circulate, although the issue began two days earlier when Ariana attended one of Tom's gigs and was handed his phone after it dropped out of his pocket.
Ariana claimed she looked through it out of curiosity, and what she saw on the phone was photographic evidence that Tom was having a physical affair with her friend and fellow 'Vanderpump Rules' castmate Raquel Leviss.
The subsequent events, which included Tom attempting to defend his actions at the reunion by accusing Ariana of keeping her shirt on during intimacy, Raquel issuing a restraining order against Scheana Shay for allegedly punching her, and Ariana's heartfelt breakup, made for some of the most captivating reality TV ever.
After a difficult few seasons, Scandoval not only brought back interest in 'Vanderpump Rules', but the events also marked a turning point in pop culture, drawing attention from people across the nation as brands offered Ariana deals and cast members of the show discussed their thoughts on podcasts.
Even if Scandoval destroyed one relationship, the narrative united the rest of us.
'RHOBH' sees the culmination of a 13-year-old story arc
One of the most memorable scenes from 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' was the titular meal in the Season 1 episode 'The Dinner Party from Hell'.
While inhaling a massive vape pen, psychic medium Allison DuBois antagonized Kyle Richards with harsh prophecies about the future of her marriage.
"He will never emotionally fulfill you, but you will stay with him and he will take care of you," said the psychic of Kyle's spouse, Mauricio, adding, "And as soon as the kids are bigger, you'll have nothing in common."
One of the reasons this moment struck audiences was because, in comparison to the 'Real Housewives' franchise's marriages kept together by glue and deception, Kyle and Mauricio's appeared to be the genuine deal. They had been married for over 15 years before Season 1 even began, and they continued to exhibit as a strong pair with real care for one another throughout the program.
Allison's big prognosis seemed laughably unsound as a result.
But that has all changed with the premiere of 'RHOBH' Season 13. Reports, whispers, conjecture, and eventually confirmation that Kyle and Mauricio are divorcing shook the lead-up to the new season.
On the program, the once-adoring pair appears distant and at odds in ways that stun viewers who have been following since Season 1.
Kyle even stated of her unhappy marriage during the mid-season teaser, "I want to feel happy and fulfilled," echoing Allison's remarks from all those years ago.
This narrative seed sown in Season 1 appeared to be yielding fruit 13 years later in ways that a written drama could only dream of.
'RHOC' Alexis Bellino is now with Shannon Beador's ex John Janssen
Shannon Beador's ex-husband, John Janssen, was reported to have moved on with 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' star Alexis Bellino in December, one year after their separation.
Needless to say, Beador felt deceived, considering that Shannon and her co-star Tamra Judge were sued for slander by Alexis's ex-husband Jim Bellino in 2018.