South Africa is about to get its very own version of The Bachelor and we’re expecting it to be every bit as messy as the international version.
According to Channel24, the SA edition of the popular romantic show is set to debut on Valentine’s Day next year, but while we wait for what is sure to be a show filled with love, lust, tension and major drama, M-Net has already started their search for the 25 women who will be participating in the show.
We’re already invested and can’t wait to see how things will unfold. After all, what would a reality TV show be without drama? That's the reason for watching, isn’t it?
Not just solely because we want to be able to relate to being as melodramatic as many of the stars in shows like Date My Family and Survivor, but because it often allows us to indulge in heavy doses of schadenfreude, particularly when someone gets their comeuppance.
On the flipside, I do believe that it also weirdly enough, engenders some empathy when something incredibly awkward happens to someone and the second-hand embarrassment that you experience almost makes you want to remove the person in front of the camera because what they’re enduring is just too painful to watch.
READ MORE: The real reason we're suckers for reality TV shows
Here’s a round-up of moments from reality shows that will make you laugh, cringe and fume:
1. The US Bachelor - how not to breakup
In what is probably one of the messiest moments of the US version of The Bachelor, Arie Luyendyk Jr, bachelor from season 22 of the reality show, proved to be the absolute worst when he proposed to Becca Kufrin on the show, but according to Buzzfeed, later changed his mind by going back to Lauren Burnham the woman he initially rejected.
While this isn’t unusual, what made this one of the most insane moments on reality TV is that he blindsided her by breaking the engagement and had the ABC crew film the moment he split up with her.
Watch the horrible moment moment below:
Naturally folk on Twitter had a field day with this, with the overall sentiment being this:
2. Date My Family – when you should come clean
Scroll through social media – particularly Twitter on a Sunday evening and one of the biggest trending hashtags you’ll see is popular South African reality show Date My Family.
For those of you who haven’t heard of this show, the premise around the show involves a potential partner being sent on a date with the family members of his/her romantic interest. During the date, they’re often subjected to a series of questions – some of which can become really awkward.
Of course, the fun in this show is that sometimes the responses to the question in itself can be incredibly awkward. Watch below.
The example below had us all closing our browsers after just watching it once. Can we please just go back in time and save him from himself?
READ MORE: I’m woke and Friends is still one of my fave TV series
Watch: #DateMyFamily: Dramatic scene 2: This week's bachelor has no job? pic.twitter.com/JurUziiHp9
— MzansiTVShows (@MzansiTVShows) April 9, 2018
3. Survivor – it’s never okay to out someone
Outwit. Outplay. Outlast – the slogan of the reality show that its teams and individuals against each other in a bid to go home with an epic cash prize.
There’ve been many moments within the show where contestants have been blindsided and betrayed, and where some of the most cunning people have told outrageous lies to garner sympathy and support (who can forget Survivor: Pearl Islands contestant Johnny Fairplay who faked his grandmother’s death in order to garner sympathy and gain immunity?)
But, without a doubt, one of the worst moments in the Emmy-award winning show, was when contestant Jeff Varner disclosed that fellow contestant Zeke Smith is a transgender man. According to Variety.com, Jeff outed Zeke at a tribal council in a bid to bolster his advantage – but instead found himself voted off the island and facing immense backlash.
He was also fired from his job as a real estate agent.
WATCH: 'Survivor' Castaway Zeke Smith explains why he wanted CBS to air controversial tribal council
4. Our Perfect Wedding – how not to kiss?
Another popular local show that has had many people glued to the edges of their seat is this one set around the big day.
It's is often filled with so many heart-warming moments but there have also been some super cringe-y moments that will make your soul wince in embarrassment, sympathy and, well, I’ll leave you to work out how to feel about the video below, yourself:
WATCH: Sealed with a kiss
What are some of your favourite ridiculous moments from reality shows and why? We'd love to hear from you.