Reality Horror TV: The Good, Bad And The Ugh

March 31, 2008 by Alexandra

So, we’ve been talking about The CW’s 13 here, and between the casting calls and premise of the show itself, I think it’s pretty exciting. The phenomena of reality shows in general have taken off since MTV’s Real World. It may be in dispute, but I deem that one as being the first real, and successful reality show in this country.

Although 13 will be the first competition horror reality series, this is not the first reality show with a “fear” base.

Let’s meet some current and past “haunts” on the reality plane, and see how deep the rabbit hole goes:

MTV’s Fear – Originally aired in 2000, and followed a group of 5 or more contestants who were placed in an alleged haunted location. They were tasked with “dares”, to be completed over a two night period, all to determine if the location is indeed haunted. The show was canceled due to high production costs, but it was extremely popular.

Scare Tactics – Originally aired on Sci-Fi in 2003. In this series, victims are lured and placed in very scary situations, scared to death via make-up and movie-style special effects, all behind hidden cameras.

Hosted by horror hotties, Shannon Doherty, and Stephen Baldwin in earlier seasons, it’s coming back with a vengeance, via a new season hosted by bad boy Tracy Morgan!

Celebrity Paranormal Project – Currently on hiatus, and aired last November on VH1, this show features a group of celebrities who are left in an alleged haunted location, given special equipment, and are tasked to go on explorations, all to determine the most haunted part of the location. They then decide who made the strongest connection with the spirit so they can become possessed. (Really!)

Fear Factor – Although this is more of a dare or stunt reality show, it has the word fear, and I think eating gross things is pretty scary. This was canceled by NBC, but had some amazing success, and if I recall, has the honor of being the first network reality show to be syndicated as of its creation.