The 20 best reality TV hosts of all time

When it comes to hosting reality TV reunions, Andy Cohen is unrivaled. He’s moderated over 160 specials for franchises, including The Real Housewives, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Vanderpump Rules, and The Traitors.  

Since 2000, Julie Chen has hosted the popular reality competition game show Big Brother. The series has aired 25 regular seasons and several spin-offs, including a web series and a celebrity iteration. In addition to her BB hosting gig, Chen was also a long-standing host on the popular daytime show The Talk from 2010 to 2018.   

Comedian Joel McHale has several hosting credits to his name, including a Netflix talk show and an ABC game series. In 2023, he snagged another job hosting the E! reality competition show, House of Villains, featuring iconic reality TV troublemakers, including Omarosa, Johnny Bananas, and Tiffany “New York” Pollard. 

TJ Lavin is more than just a BMX star with his name in the Hall of Fame; he’s also been the host of MTV’s The Challenge for nearly 20 years. He joined the series during its 11th season in 2005 and has hosted every flagship season since. 

Ryan Seacrest is a pro when it comes to hosting reality television. Since the late ‘90s, he’s hosted syndicated game, radio, and music award shows. But his most memorable hosting spot has to be the popular singing competition show, American Idol.

When Heidi Klum isn’t strutting down a runway or posing for the cover of Vogue, the former Victoria’s Secret Angel hosts reality shows like Project Runway and Germany’s Next Top Model. 

Tyra Banks is another supermodel who does it all. She’s hosted her self-titled talk show, America’s Got Talent, and most recently, Dancing With the Stars. However, she’s most known for creating and hosting the wildly successful competition series America’s Next Top Model. 

We don’t talk about him enough, but Gordon Ramsay is one heck of a reality TV star. He’s bold and confident and says exactly what he means. He’s known for hosting cooking-inspired television programs, like MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen, as well as Hotel Hell and Gordon Behind Bars. 

CBS got it right when they created their block of reality competition shows in the early 2000s. In addition to the beloved Big Brother series, another strategic game show took over households worldwide: Survivor. Host Jeff Probst has led the series since 2000, hosting 45 seasons and over 660 episodes.

Like many of the other hosts on this list, Padma is legendary. She hosted Top Chef on Bravo from 2006 to 2023, and during her time, viewers fell in love because of her brains, style, and class. 

Anderson Cooper tried something different when he presented the original series of The Mole from 2001 to 2002. Although he left shortly after the series debut, he’s returned to the hosting table, moderating programs like CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with his pal, Andy Cohen, and Anderson Cooper 360.

It looks like Terry Crews found his sweet spot when he joined the cast of America’s Got Talent as the host in 2019. In addition to the franchise’s flagship series, Crews hosts the spin-offs AGT: Extreme and All-Stars. 

Guy Fieri has been regarded as the face of the Food Network since 2010 and has taken viewers on several trips to explore some of the best foods in the world. He hosts Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, a Food Network staple that has produced over 400 episodes and nearly 50 seasons. 

Peacock’s The Traitors has been a smash hit among watchers because of the format, strategic gameplay, and, of course, host Alan Cumming. His personality and top-notch acting skills make him the perfect person to lead viewers on an intense 11-episode journey. 

The Amazing Race is one of the most thrilling reality shows you’ll ever watch. It’s fast-paced and electrifying, and host Phil Keoghan does a great job of keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Since 2001, The Amazing Race has aired over 400 episodes and collected 15 Emmy Awards along the way.

Nick Cannon’s hosting career dates back to 2005 with his original series Wild ‘N Out. Eventually, he presented other programs, like America’s Got Talent, a self-titled talk show, and the massively successful singing competition show The Masked Singer. 

MTV’s Catfish is iconic, but this series would be nothing without the passionate and persistent contributions of Nev Schulman.

Former Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford became the permanent co-host of MTV’s Catfish: The TV Show in 2020. She’s unlike her predecessor, Max, in several ways, but it’s what fans love most about her. In 2023, she began hosting the Paramount Plus series Are You The One? 

So You Think You Can Dance wouldn’t be half the program it is today without its moderator, Cat Deeley, and her whimsical personality. Fans love her because of her lively hosting skills, including her ability to connect with the contestants in a way that provides much substance to the show. 

He’s not just the guy from America’s Funniest Home Videos and Hollywood Squares. Tom Bergeron was also the host of Dancing With the Stars, beginning in 2005, completing 28 seasons and over 400 episodes. In 2023, Tom opened up about being fired from the series to former DWTS cast member Cheryl Burke, saying he was betrayed and “lied to" by higher-ups.