10 US Reality Shows You Didn’t Know Had UK Versions

With season 8 of the UK version of Love Island ending, reality TV fans are looking for the next UK show with a US version to watch. Luckily for them, there are lots of shows to choose from that got their start across the pond. Given both countries’ love for reality television, it isn’t a shock that many of the shows are repackaged for their respective audiences.

From cooking to talent to car shows, there is something for every viewer who loves international reality television both in the UK and the US; however, the shows do differ in some ways.

11 Ex On The Beach

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Ex on the Beach is one of the best TV dating shows currently airing in the US and has become popular with MTV viewers. However, the show was aired in the UK in a slightly different format. The UK version didn’t include reality celebrities like the US version until 2020.

The US version had to include people fans already had a connection with to stand out from other shows and differentiate itself from the UK version. Even with their differences, both shows were filled with romance and drama.

9 Four Weddings

TLC’s Four Weddings pits four brides against each other as they compete for the chance at a dream honeymoon. However, the US version premiered one year after the UK version originated the series.

Both shows give viewers a glimpse into the wedding industry in each country and how they differ and show that no matter what country someone is from, planning a wedding is stressful. Each show follows the same scoring format that focuses on the main elements of a wedding that guests remember and critique.

8 Love Island

Like the US, the UK loves a good reality dating show, and Love Island is one of the UK’s most popular series. The season 8 finale of Love Island produced hilarious tweets and memes showcasing how dedicated the fanbase is to the show.

Love Island US hasn’t gained as much popularity as its UK counterpart, but this may be attributed to the sheer amount of dating shows airing in the US at any given time. However, with new host Sarah Hyland taking over and a new network taking over the production, the show could be on its way to the ranks of The Bachelor in popularity.

7 Master Chef

Gordon Ramsey has made himself a worldwide phenomenon with his various cooking shows, and MasterChef is just as loved in the UK as it is in the US.

Even though the shows are nearly identical in format, fans on Reddit have noticed that the US show is more cutthroat regarding competitors’ relationships with each other versus the UK, where everyone competes but still wants their competitor to succeed. The US version plays into the dramatics far more than the UK, which has divided viewers over which version is best.

6 Dancing With the Stars / Strictly Come Dancing

Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing are basically the same show, despite their different names. Both shows include movie and TV-themed dances that excite fans and become some of the best of the season.

Both shows have had some of the longest reality TV runs in their respective countries, leaving fans wondering who will compete in the next season every year. The element of seeing a celebrity try something appears to interest viewers no matter where they are from and has revived interest in the ballroom dance scene.

5 American Idol / Pop Idol

Often times UK versions of shows surpass their US counterparts in popularity; however, Pop Idol did not gain the fan base that American Idol did when it premiered in the early 2000s, which helped keep the show running until now.

The American version has produced some of the biggest stars in all genres of music worldwide, whereas the UK season only ran for two seasons, with the winners never breaking into the US music scene. The UK is not without a successful singing competition, with The X Factor taking the UK by storm and producing acts like Little Mix and One Direction.

4 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here

Unless they are an expert in US reality television, viewers will likely not remember the US version of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! The show only ran for two seasons, which were not consecutive, before being canceled.

Some of the US shows lack of success can be attributed to the B-List celebrities chosen to be on the show, compared to the UK’s cast list, which is filled with some of the most recognizable faces in the UK. The show recently announced a 22nd season is coming soon.

3 Kitchen Nightmares

Gordon Ramsey has had a successful reality television career, especially with Kitchen Nightmares. Originally airing in the UK, the show visited struggling restaurants in an attempt to rectify the problems before the eatery had to close its doors for good.

Like Ramsey’s other US shows, Kitchen Nightmares is more dramatic than the UK version but is more personal with the owners and workers. Both shows have ended, but fans still love Ramsey’s other series.

2 Top Gear

As one of the best car TV shows on Netflix, Top Gear has gained worldwide recognition for its fun yet informational look at the world’s most impressive and rare cars. The US version of the show suffered from being passed around from network to network, which dwindled the fan base over time.

At the same time, the original UK series has been regarded as one of the most popular and long-running reality shows. While the US version never reached the same level of the audience, the show was still entertaining.

1 Undercover Boss

2022 ushered in the eleventh season of Undercover Boss in the US. Since the first episode, the show gave fans a look into some of the most well-known companies in the United States and the people who run them, entering the everyday operations and seeing how their company is performing.

The heartfelt results of most of the visits have kept fans watching, but the UK version did not get the same reception. Even though it originated the format, the UK version only had a few seasons before going on hiatus until 2021, when it was rebooted.