It List guide to reality competition shows: The most bizarre and heartfelt series of the fall season
It isn't just chilly weather and falling leaves — competition is in the air.
Welcome to the It List Fall Guide, where we share our picks for the best in entertainment. Catch the weekly It List here for the latest releases that we can't wait to watch, stream, listen to, read and binge.
Amid the many premieres of fall TV season, there are a handful of reality competition shows to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Keep your eye on these anticipated series for a weekly dose of high-stakes competition. Yahoo Entertainment highlighted our most-anticipated series with superlatives that we think its contestants would be proud of.
Most likely to make you fond of a random celebrity: Dancing With the Stars
When: Dancing With the Stars Season 33 premieres Sept. 17 and airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
What to know: Celebrities pair up with professionals to compete in ballroom dancing. The winner takes home the coveted mirrorball trophy.
Why you should be watching: Olympic pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik and “fake heiress” Anna Delvey are part of the cast, among others.
Longest running: Survivor
When: Survivor Season 47 premieres Sept. 18 and airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Episodes are available the next day on Paramount+.
What to know: A group of castaways in Fiji must survive a series of challenges and interpersonal battles to win a $1 million prize.
Why you should be watching: There’s a reason the show has been around so long — it’s completely different and totally fascinating every year.
Most heartfelt: The Golden Bachelorette
When: The first season of The Golden Bachelorette premieres Sept. 18 and airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Episodes are available the next day on Hulu.
What to know: The latest show from Bachelor Nation sees men ages 57 to 69 competing for the hand of Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old grandmother and former school administrator.
Why you should be watching: Though the love story that emerged from The Golden Bachelor didn’t end well, it was praised for its refreshing portrayal of friendship. Here’s hoping this installment is just as heartwarming.
Most talented: The Voice
When: The Voice Season 26 premieres Sept. 23 and airs at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Episodes are available the next day on Peacock.
What to know: Unsigned singers are selected by celebrity coaches to join their teams. They then face off in competitions and vie for public votes.
Why you should be watching: This year, Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé will join Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani as new coaches, and I can’t wait to see the four of them banter.
Most bizarre: The Masked Singer
When: The Masked Singer Season 12 premieres Sept. 25 and airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Episodes are available the next day on Hulu.
What to know: Celebrities compete in a singing competition while wearing elaborate headgear to conceal their identities. They are unmasked as they are eliminated.
Why you should be watching: I didn’t watch it last year, so I missed seeing Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard being unveiled as the duo in matching beet costumes. I can’t let a moment like that pass me by again.
Best new game show: Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?
When: The first three episodes of Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? Season 1 stream Oct. 16 on Prime Video.
What to know: The Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? spin-off places contestants in a classroom filled with celebrities and challenges them to answer elementary-level trivia questions for the chance to win $100,000.
Why you should be watching: Travis Kelce is hosting. From playing football to acting to dating Taylor Swift, we’ll be seeing a lot of him this year.
