I love the world's lowest common denominator of television…
Reality TV.
I don't consider it a guilty pleasure. I have zero guilt about my love for trashy TV. I get a kick out of saying “I watch the world's worst television” when asked about the shows I like to watch. I sing their theme songs while cleaning around the house or while driving around in my car (ahem…Bad Girls Club and VanderPump Rules). I follow some of my favorite reality TV “characters” on Instagram and Twitter. I occasionally live tweet shows. Once, I even went to a taping of the Real World's The Challenge in its early years.
In case you were wondering…
I. Really. Really. Love. Reality. Television.
This is not to say that I solely watch The Bachelor, the Real Housewives or . I am an avid Netflix binger of Stranger Things, Gilmore Girls, and Fuller House. But when my mind needs to take a break, I reach for my remote and peruse my DVR for some good ol' reality nonsense. And I like to pair my shows with a drink. Here are some of my favorite pairings…
Anything in The Bachelor Franchise
I watch all of The Bachelor and its spinoff shows. The Full House theme song line “Whatever happened to predictability?” has found its home in The Bachelor. Over the years, the show has become incredibly formulaic which is why it is one of my favorites to “watch/not watch.” If I am not fully engaged, I am not really missing anything. Someone is going to get drunk. Someone is going to cry. Someone is not there to make friends. It's the same. It's familiar. It's Chris Harrison with “Ladies. Bachelor Boy Name. Here is the last rose of the evening.” when clearly there is a single rose on the small table. The Bachelor is the ultimate brain candy.
Drink of Choice: Rosé wine. Because it's delicious and…roses are handed out on the show. Synergy!
Southern Charm
I started watching Southern Charm when it first came out years ago and was instantly “charmed.” The jazzy/peppy theme music…
I am going to pause for a moment to make jazz hands and sing “He's got money. He's in magazines”.
Okay. I'm back!
…the gorgeous Charleston, South Carolina b-roll setting the scene. The pomp and circumstance of Southern “society” blended occasionally with bad manners. I'm so happy Season 5 premiered this week. This is a show that keeps me fully engaged and laughing. It's often times ridiculous, and the show knows it. Bless their hearts.
Drink of Choice: Pimm's Cup. It's got a little spice, a little sweet and a little sass to it. It's very Southern Charm-esque.
Survivor
At times I feel watching Survivor has been like riding a wave. It's good. It's not so good. It's great. To me, the show had been on an upswing for the past five years or so with GREAT casting choices for the first installments of the “Blood vs. Water” and “Beauty vs. Brains vs. Brawn” seasons. But I am now feeling a little “over” Survivor at the moment. There are just too many idols and advantages. Does that really lead to an ultimate Survivor or more of a lucky SOB? I'll keep watching the remainder of Ghost Island, but right now it's only Jeff Probst and Donathan that have my attention. Hopefully, the show gets better when the “merge” and all of the “merge food” has been eaten.
Sidebar -WHY am I so obsessed with the reward challenges involving food and where the heck has the “Auction for Food” been?
Drink of Choice: Filtered water in an athletic bottle. I don't and probably will never have a canteen with canvas wrapped around it.
MasterChef Junior
I was introduced to this little gem of a show by my future mother-in-law, Monica (a.k.a “Momica”). Gordon Ramsay of Hell's Kitchen is the lead judge/mentor for this show and trades in his “donkeys”, expletives and histrionics with a more light-hearted and encouraging demeanor. The MasterChef kids SHRED in the kitchen. Their talent is off the charts with the ability to achieve things in the kitchen that I will probably never have the guts to try (Croquembouche! Sous vide!). The kids support one another and sabotage is NEVER a part of the game. It's an “I have some faith in the future and humanity” show.
Drink of Choice: Le Croix. It's kid-friendly and the berry flavor is a more refined version of strawberry soda. As you may or may not know, the MasterChef kids have quite the palates.
éé
Bonus Show…or Network
Like most kids, my little butt was planted on the carpet in front of the television to watch Saturday morning cartoons. And now as an adult, I do the same thing but traded the carpet for my couch and the Saturday morning cartoons for HGTV shows – Fixer Upper, House Hunters, My Lottery Dream Home, Home Town, Property Brothers and more. Also, in case you were wondering, my little butt has been upgraded to a more bootylicious posterior thanks to carbs, wine and lack of cardio-centric activities.
Drink of Choice: Coffee with more than a touch of Coffeemate Italian Sweet Creme creamer. Preferably in one my monogrammed mugs.
What are you watching and drinking these days? Are you mourning the loss of Chip and Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper? I know I am. Sigh.
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink Chard.
Laurie
All grammatical errors are mostly fixed by Grammarly. Some wording I refuse to change because I am stubborn.
All thoughts are my own and fueled by coffee, Le Croix and hard boiled eggs with a liberal dose of white truffle salt. #NotSponCon
Have you tried La Croix Curate? I love the cherry lime.
Also, you could totally sous vide. Just make sure that you have a great cast iron pan for searing/finishing.
The Master Chef Jr kids have mad knife skills. I would be losing a finger.
I have tried La Croix Curate! I like the cherry lime and the blackberry cucumber.
I could sous vide, but I might be a little too impatient with the amount of time it takes to go through the process.
I love watching those kids. I’ve shed many a tear along with those little whippersnappers.
I am a Food Network and red wine kind of girl!
I love that, Reese! I was watching Barefoot Contessa with a cup of coffee before work this morning. What’s your favorite Food Network show?
I love how you pair what you’re watching with a drink of choice!!! I love Fuller House!!! Throw back to the good old days!
Christine
Thank you! I love Fuller House! And when I’m on the road for work, I am known to stay in for the night to watch old school Full House/Nick-at-Nite while sipping wine/eating room service. I’m fancy. 🙂
I’m always up for a little bit of reality TV. And I love me some Netflix for sure, Gilmore Girls is great, one of the few shows I’ve seen every episode of…more than once!
Gilmore Girls is my favorite show of all time!! I have watched the series all the way through at least 4 times. How did you feel about the Netflix reboot? I watched the reboot the morning it came out with GG-approved snacks – https://www.instagram.com/p/BNO7s48jBqD/?taken-by=laurie_gannon
Haha I love it too! I must admit I am partial to Keeping up with the Kardashian’s 🙈
I’ve been known to watch that, too! Kris Jenner is quite the hustler AND I want Khloe’s uber-organized pantry!
I love that you drink Le Croix is your drink of choice with Master Chef Junior. Something about that just seems perfect.
I think the Junior Chefs might approve of the Le Croix. 🙂
Have you ever seen the show?
I love so many of these shoes. Im such a junkie for the remakes off the shoes from the 90’s…. Oh and Greys of course!
Are you watching Roseanne? I just started watching that. And I love Grey’s! I am bummed that Scandal is over but was really disappointed in the final season overall. What other shows do you like?
As of yet, I don’t watch reality TV or drink wine… But your article sure makes me want to! I love your wit and ability to tie together your two loves of reality TV and wine in this article! You put a smile on my face for the day!
Paula, you just put a smile on my face! I appreciate the kind words. What type of shows do you like to watch? My love for HGTV is REAL. 🙂
Oh my, I’ve never watched any of these shows but maybe wine will help me if I do? Lol
Wine might be helpful! Or some tea…it feels like these shows “spill the tea”. 🙂
What types of shows do you watch?
Girl I love your post you are too funny. I also like house hunters and the property brothers fixer uppers. My favorite drinks are tea and white wine.
Thank you for the kind words! Tea and white wine are quite fabulous! I love all of the HGTV shows you mentioned. All of them! (much to the chagrin of my significant other)
What’s your favorite white wine?
Very fun post! Most of my reality shows come from HGTV and Food Network, and I am a Netflix junkie!
Thank you, Jet! I am huge fan of HGTV, Food Network and NetFlix. Maybe I should pair a Barefoot Contessa three course menu with the premiere of Stranger Things (talk about a challenge!)
Which shows do you love on all three mentioned networks/platforms?
Lacroix is my favorite mixed with fizz sticks!
I have never tried that! Have you ever sipped a soda through a Twizzler? I used to LOVE doing that!
Master Chef Junior is my favorite! I love Gordon Ramsey and I really love when he gets to be genuinely nice and helpful. My favorite TV moment was on Master Chef when the blind winner made the apple pie. It was the only time I’ve ever cried watching reality TV!
Gordon Ramsey is SOOOO good with the kids. And I really enjoy Christina Tosi, as well. Which season of MasterChef features the blind winner? I need to see that! (And I will keep my Kleenex nearby)
This is awesome! You don’t get many TV/Wine pairing posts often. Love it!
Thank you, Nicole! I love my stories and my toddies. 🙂
Have you been spying in my cupboard? Someone after my own heart…lol
There are “Peeping Toms”. I am definitely a “Peeping Laurie” when it comes to cupboards and pantries. It’s a problem I am working on. 🙂
It’s time to get some more Mango Le Croix! 🙂
My husband and have both been watching survivor since the start. We also watch big brother — I like seeing how people tick.
Me, too! How do you feel about this season of Survivor? I love the Ghost Island concept, but the cast really hasn’t been as exciting to me.
After reading this article I want to watch MasterChef Junior. I love stella peach wine and a good t.v. show. love your website.
Thank you for the kind words, Amanda! MasterChef Junior is so very sweet. I hope you enjoy it (with Stella peach wine or whatever suits your fancy at that moment).
I prefer the more drama free realities – like the show about little houses and Reno shows. Total Netflix junkie tho. 😄
I watch all the tiny house shows that I can. I find tiny homes fascinating. What are you watching on NetFlix? Do you like Stranger Things?
Awesome post. Wine and TV shows brighten are the best combination ever.
Thank you, Smitha! It’s one of my favorite ways to decompress. I think I need to do so in about 30 minutes. How about you? 🙂
I have to copy your recommended drink for bonus shows. Sounds delicious!
Let’s have one together and chat! 🙂
I am so depressed that Fixer Upper is no longer 😢 You hit that one on the nose 😝
I’m so bummed!! I am finding solace in my Magnolia Table cookbook. Sigh…
What an creative idea! I haven’t had a tv in over 14 years, so I am not up on the shows you are talking about…well some of them I have heard of, but it is so creative to match up the different kinds of wine with certain genre tv shows. I worked for a French restaurant years ago and they were amazing at educating us on the different wines that went with specific meals, sauces, etc. I can totally see how that would work in with different show flavors. Really cute idea!
Thank you so much for the kind words! Do you still work in the restaurant industry? I did for quite a few years but was never taught about food and wine pairings. I did learn how to make a balloon animal though, but food and wine pairings would have been WAY more beneficial (and delicious!)
I’m not that into reality t.v but your review made me want to watch some, haha! Love your writing style!
Hi, Rachael! Thank you for the kind words! If you want to join me in the “dark side” of reality TV, just let me know. I’m here for you! 🙂
I will definitely try these…although some of these wines are not found in my location.
I would say drink whatever makes you happy! I love a happy Dolphine! 🙂
I love this so much! The pairings are great! I can’t wait to try them! I love the Real Housewives. It would be fun to have a pairing for each of those shows. 😉
YES!!! I enjoy so many of the Housewives shows. I’d love to hear what you would pair with your shows!
Nice post! I haven’t watched these reality shows but will start after your suggestions!
Hi, Life Hacks! What have you been watching lately?
Not a fan of the reds so I think i’ll try the strawberry soda. 🙂 whatever is playing on TV
I love strawberry and grape soda. Mmm…