Reality TV

You didn't really care about TV until reality came along. You're just as content watching plumbers search for ghosts on "Ghost Hunters" as you are watching celebrities take a stab at ballroom dancing on "Dancing With the Stars." Click through this slideshow to check out reality shows that will keep you going all season long.Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

This international phenomenon has become a smash hit in the United States, and now it's heading into its sixth season. "Dancing With the Stars" pairs up celebrities with professional dancers for a spectacular ballroom competition. Viewers tune in for the glitzy costumes and thrilling choreography, as well as for a chance to watch a competition that's not about greed, but the performance. Mondays at 8pm ET and Tuesday at 9pm ET on ABCABC/Bob D'Amico - Friday, August, 22, 2008, 8:22 PM

It’s “Ugly Betty” meets “The Devil Wears Prada” meets reality as 11 fashion enthusiasts and aspiring journalists battle it out for a coveted editorial position at the famed Elle Magazine in "Sylista." The try-outs are demanding as the wannabes work as assistants to Elle’s Fashion News Director, Anne Slowey. (We’ve heard of high-maintenance, but really, 11 assistants?) Each week, the contestants must complete an assistant task as well as a fashion editorial assignment. Anne will give one person the ax at the end of each episode until the one talented young person left standing will get the real job, a rent-free apartment, and even a clothing allowance--because you can’t work at a fashion mag without looking great, right? Wednesdays at 9pm ET on The CWThe CW/Jim DeYonker - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

Chef Gordon Ramsay steps out of "Hell's Kitchen" again for a second season of The "Kitchen Nightmares," a reality series which follows the short-tempered chef as he tries to rescue restaurant owners in crisis. Each restaurant Ramsay visits has its own issues — from not-so-business-savvy owners, to lazy chefs and wait staff, to unsanitary kitchens. Each week he will attempt to turn one deserted eatery into the hippest, most sought-after venue in town — while butting heads with just about everyone in the process. Returns Thursday, 1/15 at 9pm ET on FoxFOX/Patrick Ecclesine - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

The "Real Housewives" franchise has brought us inside the mansions of Orange County and the penthouses of Manhattan. Now the show goes South with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," exploring the lives of the social elite of Georgia's biggest city, affectionately known by locals as "Hotlanta." The series will introduce NeNe Leakes, DeShawn Snow, Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu Hartwell, and Kim Zolciak. They range from, who range from sports stars' wives to sexy single moms, but all are trying to balance their careers with their responsibilities at home. These women are more than just housewives: They're driven and ambitious entrepreneurs, busy socialites, and proud parents. And now they’ll show the world what it takes to live large in some of Atlanta's hottest zip codes. Tuesdays at 9pm on BravoBravo/Virginia Sherwood - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

Jo Frost returns for another season to help parents overcome child-rearing problems that have been challenging mothers and fathers for centuries. This season on "Supernanny," Jo will continue to help parents who are at the end of their ropes. Jo's even offered her expertise to Britney, but we doubt the pop star will bite. Oh well… Fridays at 9pm ET on ABCABC/Bob D'Amico - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

Hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, "ANTM" is the popular reality competition that pits young women against one another to find out who has what it takes to be the next supermodel. This is not a show for wilting wallflowers. This cycle, "Top Model" has its first-ever transgender contestant competing for the prized title. Wednesdays at 8pm ET on The CWThe CW/Jim De Yonker - Friday, August, 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

Who will create the next "Top Design"? Thirteen new contestants compete for the top prize—$100,000 and a four-page editorial showcase in Elle Décor magazine. Design aficionada India Hicks hosts Season 2. But fret not: Former host Todd Oldham returns to mentor the designers. Wednesdays at 10pm on BravoBravo/Peter Tangen - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

The bitch is back! Janice Dickinson returns for a fourth season of model mayhem, difficult clients, and drama, drama, drama! This season, the "Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" is shaken up when Janice decides to move the models into a model house… and she is going to live with them! Look for lots of sexy new faces and plenty of advice from the self-proclaimed "world's first supermodel." Tuesdays at 10pm on OxygenOxygen - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

"The Hills" follows "Laguna Beach's" Lauren "LC" Conrad as she moves to L.A. to attend college at the Fashion Institute and the drama that ensues with best friends Lo and Audrina and former BFF, Heidi. The show focuses on the challenges LC faces while she is trying to juggle work, school, and relationships. Mondays at 10pm on MTVMTV - Tuesday, August, 19, 2008, 12:19 AM

"Ghost Hunters" is a reality series following the daring paranormal detective exploits of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (T.A.P.S.), an organization made up of ordinary citizens with an inquisitive mind for the hidden paranormal underbelly of society. Founded and run by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, two working-class plumbers, the series follows both, along with the T.A.P.S. team, as they spend the off-hours from their regular jobs hunting down the supernatural spectres that haunt and go previously unexplained. Wednesdays at 9pm on Sci FiSciFi/Gavin Bond - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

Now entering its 22nd season, "America's Most Wanted" has had more of an impact on American society than perhaps any other show in history. Thanks to the weekly spotlight it shines on wanted criminals and their crimes, the series has led to a whopping 1,000 captures so far, including those of 17 fugitives from the FBI's 10 most wanted list. Hosted by victims' rights and missing children advocate John Walsh (whose own son Adam was tragically kidnapped and murdered in 1981), the show has also helped reunite 43 missing children with their families, including Utah teen Elizabeth Smart. Saturdays at 9pm ET on Fox FOX - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

Put together one run-down home, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, and seven days and what do you get? A little "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." This award-winning show has inspired a feel-good reality trend that takes giving to a whole new level. Last season, Ty Pennington and his team completed their goal of visiting all 50 states to do extreme makeovers proving that there's nowhere "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" won't go to help a family in need. Sundays at 8pm ET on ABCABC - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

"Wife Swap" helps answer the question of whether the grass really is greener on the other side. In this reality show, two wives hand over the keys to their homes and literally switch families for two weeks. More switcharoos are in store for the new season where families will learn great lessons while dealing with the chaotic situation of having the complete opposite mom for two weeks. Fridays at 8pm ET on ABCABC/Adam Larkey - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM

"Biggest Loser: Families" Get ready for the wild and emotional ride of a brand new season of Biggest Loser. Tuesdays at 8pm ET on NBCNBC/Mitchell Haaseth - Friday, August, 29, 2008, 10:29 PM

It's not an exaggeration to say that this classic show has changed the entire landscape of television. It was the first "reality" competition to find success on American broadcast TV, and has led to countless imitations and innovative ideas for unscripted dramas that have found homes on virtually every cable and broadcast channel over the past decade. In "Survivor," the object is to "outwit, outplay, outlast" your competition in a remote location where endurance and cleverness both play a part in your chances to win $1 million as the Sole Survivor. The show returns for an unbelievable 18th (!) season set in Tocantins. Thursdays at 8pm ET on CBSCBS/Monty - Wednesday, August, 20, 2008, 7:20 PM