10 Must-Read Tell All Books About Reality TV

The scope and impact of reality television have increased in the past few decades. Audiences are drawn towards all sorts of reality shows, ranging from singing programs to survival adventures. But this leads to the question: “How real are reality shows?”

Books covering the behind-the-scenes affairs of reality shows or memoirs by ex-contestants offer a more nuanced look at the myths and realities of showbiz. The debates and discussions aside, such works of literary non-fiction are also a delight for fans who desire to know more about a particular reality show’s history, making, or even insider gossip.

10 Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture (2012)

Most Talkative is an account by Andy Cohen on how his obsessive love for TV drove him to serve as an executive producer for shows like Top Chef and the Real Housewives franchise. Cohen’s honest style of writing brings out his childhood as a “nerd” who only wished to climb up the ladder in the television industry by all means possible.

Along with his early struggles as a journalist for CBS News and true stories behind Real Housewives, Cohen delightfully recalls the ups and downs of his career.

9 Reality Matters: 19 Writers Come Clean About The Shows We Can’t Stop Watching (2010)

Reality Matters is a compilation of essays, curated by writer Anna David. Each essay brings out the perspective of a particular journalist or novelist but the casual tone of the book definitely tries to bring a more audience-driven voice.

With enough self-aware humor, the writers acknowledge that many reality shows like Big Brother or Survivor might serve as their guilty pleasures but that’s what makes them all the more addictive.  In a way, Reality Matters brings out a collective attitude of American audiences towards mindless enjoyment of a “fabricated reality.”

8 Bachelor Nation: Inside The World of America’s Greatest Guilty Pleasure (2018)

Since its first season in 2002,  The Bachelor has rekindled a fascination for a fairytale-like romance that millions of loyal and dedicated viewers share. Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman serves as a committed fan as well as a critic in her analysis of the show via this well-researched guide on the secrets behind Bachelor.

Based on interviews with contestants and producers, she offers a glimpse into internal conflicts and the over-the-top antics that go down at the show’s mansion. At the same time, she also attempts to understand what makes the show so popular among audiences, even after a 36-season-long run.

7 The Housewives: The Real Story Behind The Housewives (2021)

Starting with The Real Housewives of Orange County, Brian Moylan has been the writer and creative mastermind behind many episodes of the show and its multiple spin-offs. In The Housewives, Moylan looks back at the legacy of the series and how it impacted not just him but the real-life figures who starred in it.

If the reader is to believe this book, then most of the Housewives lead equally loud and dramatic lives even off-camera. Apart from touching upon their personalities, the screenwriter also offers more scoop on the business side of the franchise and the lavish lifestyle of its stars.

6 Legendary Children: The First Decade of RuPaul’s Drag Race And The Last Century Of Queer History (2020)

Legendary Children isn’t just another fluff book on reality TV. Rather, it simultaneously functions as a tribute to RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as a social history of 20th century queer movements. Tom Fitzgerald adopts an in-depth approach to understand how years of struggle eventually led to a limited normalization of queer identities on the TV screen.

As is evident from the show’s title, the book also comprises significant portions dedicated to the art and history of drag culture, elaborating on its timeless legacy.

5 American Idol: The Untold Story (2011)

American Idol‘s success in the music reality television space is unparalleled, having preceded competitors like The Voice and The X-Factor. Richard Rushfield’s book covers the early seasons to understand the driving concept behind the show. Each season not only picked a talented singer as its winner but also a dreamer. Almost every contestant had an underdog story that mattered as much as their musical talents.

This insightful book lives up to its name as it attempts to understand how American Idol single-handedly redefined the notion of being a celebrity, turning nobodies into Broadway stars and Grammy winners.

4 Chicken Soup For The American Idol Soul (2007)

If American Idol: The Untold Story gets a tad bit cynical for readers, they can always switch up to a lighter read like Chicken Soup for theAmerican Idol Soul. An installment in the best-selling anthology series Chicken Soup, this book collects together accounts of different contestants and winners as they recall their favorite moments from the show.

Ranging from Kelly Clarkson to Jordin Sparks, each anecdote signifies how these singers believed in their dreams and worked hard to live up to them. Apart from these celebrities, some of the stories also focus on the perspectives of the producers and the fans who play a major role in American Idol‘s success.

3 Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 Into A Billion-Dollar Business (2011)

Famed Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran always gets straight to the point when it comes to advising budding entrepreneurs. But before the ABC show turned her into a popular figure, she was just another struggling businesswoman.

In Shark Tales, she allows readers to get up close and personal with her humble origins. Apart from offering business tips and general wisdom, she also hints at what makes a successful Shark Tank contestant. Hence, it’s a must-read for both followers of the show as well as people who harbor entrepreneurial dreams.

2 Single State Of Mind (2018)

Andi Dorfman is an attorney who gained fame as a contestant and as a lead on season 8 of The Bachelor and the tenth season of The Bachelorette. Single State of Mind serves as a peek into her mind after her newfound fame, as she readjusts with a new reality. As is expected, Dorfman doesn’t shy away from revealing that her life has been full of privileges ever since. Still, the book, just like a reality show episode, makes for some good escapism.

While the book includes plenty of Bachelor gossip and romantic mishaps, one particular chapter interestingly focuses on her feelings when she saw her ex-fiance propose to a new partner in Bachelors in Paradise.

1 Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons For Making It Work (2010)

Authored by Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn, Gunn’s Golden Rules functions as an insider’s archive for the fashion reality series as well as a self-help book with rules guiding a fashion designer on the path to success.

Gunn relies on several real-life case studies of the show’s designers to formulate his set of life lessons. And then, of course, there are mentions of his illustrious career in the past century. But in each case, the veteran designer doesn’t seem to have a patronizing tone. Rather, the interactive style of the memoir would only reassure its readers to live life to the fullest.

About The Author

Shaurya Thapa
(727 Articles Published)

Shaurya Thapa is an Indian freelance journalist who mostly dabbles in writings on cinema, music, and human interest features. When it comes to Screen Rant, he writes lists on a wide array of subjects ranging from international films to mainstream Netflix series and comic book trivia. He also hosts a podcast called ‘BhindiWire’, an Indian parody of IndieWire.

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