Is this the real life? All the unscripted TV shows to get hyped for

With the release of shows like Queer Eye, Terrace House, and Nailed It!, Netflix has really stepped up its game in the unscripted TV show department and to be quite honest we’ve been absolutely living for it. If you have too, you’ll be pleased to know the streaming behemoth announced the plan for five new unscripted originals at the Edinburgh TV Festival this week.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, in a “Game Changer” session, vice president of unscripted originals and acquisitions Brandon Riegg announced that the streaming giant would launch four new unscripted series and one special that will debut later this year.

These include: the global culinary competition show The Final Table; a series uncovering the stories of magicians who died performing dangerous stunts entitled Death by Magic; the game show Flinch; and a show about the soccer club Sunderland. Riegg also announced the streaming site continues “looking for stories that resonate globally,” adding, “We are a US company, but global network.”

It’s not like we’re exactly limited in our choice of reality shows to pick from in the digital age. That said, we’re delighted to see Netflix is diversifying its plate and bringing even more innovative unscripted projects to the table.

And Netflix isn’t the only network with a bunch of reality shows in the pipeline. Here are ten unscripted TV shows set for release in the not-too-distant future to get hyped about.

Barack and Michelle Obama’s untitled Netflix projects

Yep, former President and First Lady of the US announced back in May the launch of their production company Higher Ground Productions and signed a deal with Netflix which potentially includes scripted series, unscripted series, docuseries, documentaries, and features.

While there are limited details on the shows as of yet, we do know they’ve hired filmmaker Priya Swaminathan to help develop projects for the streamer. Watch this space – more details to come.

Home

As Apple ramps up its TV lineup ahead of the launch of its streaming service, the tech powerhouse has remained pretty tight-lipped about the service. Word on the streets is it’s aiming for a March 2019 launch, although this is not set in stone. Either way, it’s happening and the company already has a number of exciting new TV shows currently in development.

In the unscripted sector is a ten-episode docuseries called Home, which sounds like it could be an absolute feast for the eyes. According to Variety, the show will offer viewers a never-before-seen look inside the world’s most extraordinary homes, delving into the minds of the people who dared to build them.

Sarah Silverman is back with the second season of her part travelogue, part comedy show I Love You, America. Headed to Hulu on September 6, the comedian will continue in her journey across the country to look at the causes of America’s polarization through a comedic lens, connecting with people who might not agree with her personal opinions through honesty, humor, and genuine interest in others.

The Case Against Adnan Syed

Currently in the pipeline is HBO’s four-part docuseries The Case Against Adnan Syed, a riveting new offering from West of Memphis director Amy Berg set to explore the 1999 disappearance and murder of Hae Min Lee and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed.

The incident captured the nation’s attention when it became the subject of the popular podcast Serial, which took listeners through the story while focusing on the questionable gaps in the case. This docuseries – which has been in production since 2015 and is aiming for a 2019 release – will re-examine the events leading up to Hae Min Lee’s disappearance, including the couple’s romance, cultural conflict, and the aftermath.

We all know what’s up when it comes to Chef’s Table by now, right? A visual feast in every sense, this wildly popular Netflix Originals docuseries offers viewers a global taste-test of the most creative innovators working in the culinary industry via a series of beautifully shot profiles. Chef’s Table is back for season five on September 28, serving up a whole new platter of food you never even knew you wanted.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Speaking of culinary delights, a four-part culinary travel series entitled Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is set to debut on October 19 on Netflix. Based on the book of the same name by chef and author Samin Nosrat, her words will come to life in this docuseries as she travels around the world to discover and examine the most exquisite of dishes. Our mouths are watering already.

Warriors of Liberty City

With Warriors of Liberty City dropping on Starz September 16, we don’t have long to wait to catch a glimpse of the docuseries produced by none other than LeBron James. This insightful sports documentary from creator Evan Rosenfeld follows a season with a youth football program called the Liberty City Warriors, exploring the crime-ridden titular neighborhood which is known for creating top recruits for the NFL.

Dancing Queen

Another TV show proving Netflix’s dedication to its unscripted originals category, Dancing Queen is out on October 5. Produced by none other than RuPaul, this docuseries follows Drag Race alum Alyssa Edwards in her hometown of Mesquite, Texas and will focus on all the drama of Johnson’s dance company Beyond Belief Dance Company as she juggles drag life, family life, and dance life.

Enemies

Showtime’s Enemies is the latest docuseries from Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. Inspired by the book Enemies: A History of the FBI by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tim Weiner, the four-part series will provide an in-depth look into the long history of conflict between American presidents and the FBI.

Despite heading into the past, Enemies looks set to expose conflicts that seem more relevant than ever in the current political climate. Be sure to tune in when it drops on November 18.

The Hills revival

Listen, we’re not proud to admit it – but our hearts did a little flip at the recent announcement that The Hills is getting a reboot. It was utter trash then and it will no doubt be utter trash now. And yet you know everyone’s going to hatewatch the shit out of it when it eventually drops. For more on this shameful comeback, check out where the cast members are now.