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USA Insider The Courtship

'Temptation Island,' 'Love Is Blind,' And More: The Best Reality Shows All About Romance

On these reality television shows, the focus is all about falling in love and making sure you're with the right partner.

By Becca van Sambeck
Deac, Iris, and Tevin speaking into the camera

Love: It's the one thing almost everybody wants. However, that doesn't mean it's easy to get. Dating can be difficult, painful, and often just incredibly ridiculous. That's part of the reason why reality dating shows are so fun to watch! It's exciting to root for people to succeed in romance and have a happy ending, but it's also incredibly entertaining to watch the steamy and silly shenanigans that ensue along the way.

How to Watch

Watch Temptation Island on the USA app and Peacock.

There is no shortage of dating shows out there. These are just a few of the ones that had us glued to our TV screens.

"Temptation Island"

Some people may be in relationships — but that doesn't mean they're happy or sure they want to stay in them. Enter "Temptation Island." Four couples come to the island and are separated, each half living with a group of sexy singles. Will they end the experience missing their partner, or will they give into temptation and choose to be single? You can watch the series on Peacock or the USA Network app.

"Love Island USA"

There's something about an island that makes it the perfect setting for romance, huh? On this beloved reality show — available on Peacock and hosted by Sarah Hyland — a group of singles moves to a luxury villa on a gorgeous island, where they must team up with someone and form a couple. The last couple standing has the chance to win a lot of money.

"Love For The Ages"

Peacock’s “Love For The Ages” follows a similar format to the USA Network original “Temptation Island” by taking married couples at a crossroads in their relationship and separating them in paradise. Unlike "Temptation Island," though, the singles in "Love for the Ages" are all quite a few years younger than their married counterparts. Stream the first season on Peacock now!

"Love Is Blind"

Does online dating make you a little nervous? Then "Love Is Blind" is sure to spike your anxiety. On the show, hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, couples fall in love and get engaged — all before even meeting each other in person. Once they do greet each other face to face, the fallout can be shocking ... and makes for great TV.

"The Ultimatum"

Much like we see on "Temptation Island," it's not always easy for couples to decide whether they should continue their relationship or go their separate ways. On "The Ultimatum," couples who are wavering about marriage get to meet other singles to determine if they actually want to take the next step with their partner or try their hand at love with someone new.

"The Bachelor"

Easily the most famous dating show of all time, one single man finds love by living in a mansion filled with single women. He eliminates the contestants one by one after going on a series of dates with them until his perfect woman is left. Some of the best reality TV tropes of all time — "Can I steal you for a minute?" — come from this show. And don't even get us started on its successful spin-off series, "The Bachelorette." 

"The Courtship"

Of course, dating in the modern world can be tough. That's why "The Courtship" throws it back all the way to the Regency era. Nicole Rémy had to choose her perfect man from a bevy of eligible suitors, all while living in a historical mansion, dressed in period-appropriate clothes and practicing Regency-era customs. While the show ended in heartbreak for Nicole, the "Bridgerton"-style setting and activities made for a swoon-worthy watch. You can stream it now on Peacock or the USA Network app.

"Too Hot To Handle"

Almost all dating shows encourage hookups. After all, testing out chemistry is a crucial part of romance. Not so on "Hot To Handle." Contestants on the show are people who typically engage in flings instead of long-term relationships, and who are brought to an island (of course) to form real personal connections. No kissing allowed! There's a $100,000 grand prize at the end if they can keep their hands to themselves.

"Rock Of Love"

We often feel like we get to know the contestants on reality TV shows, and so we root for them to find love. But sometimes, it's even better when we knew them before they even set foot on set. That's how we felt about "Rock In Love," which had contestants fighting to win the heart of famous rocker Brett Michaels. A member of the band Poison, Michaels had to find the perfect girl to go on tour with him from a group of diehard Brett Michaels fans. Shenanigans ensued.

"90 Day Fiancé"

Marriage is obviously a major decision. For many people, it takes a lot of time to make that choice. But for the couples on "90 Day Fiancé," that time just isn't possible. Viewers watch as a person from a foreign country flies into the USA on a special visa for foreign fiancés to meet their partner and determine if they actually want to be with them — before the 90-day visa runs out. If they're not married by then, they have to leave the States immediately. Culture shock, language barriers, and romantic drama are all major components of the addictive series.