Reality TV Stars: The Ones We Love ... And the Ones We Love to Hate

By Andrew Scott Posted Feb 21st 2010 11:30AM

Over the years, reality television has turned a slew of ordinary people into famous Hollywood stars. Most of those stars have since become a nuisance, dominating the tabloids with stories ranging from scandal and affair to obsessions with plastic surgery. (We're looking at you, Speidi!) Never before has 15 minutes of fame felt like such an eternity.

But if the recent death of 'Deadliest Catch' captain Phil Harris has proved anything, it's that there are still some good people left in the medium. Upon hearing the news, thousands flooded the Internet with messages of sympathy and support for his family, and reminded us of the incredible influence he had on his viewers.

Of course, these days, it's a rarity for a reality star to make such a positive dent on television; for every Phil Harris, there seems to be a Tila Tequila, or a Jason Mesnick or a Bret Michaels.

With that dichotomy in mind, we here at PopEater decided to take a closer look at reality's most beloved and reviled stars. Read our picks, then post some of your own.

BELOVED

Melissa Rycroft
As it turned out, getting dumped was the best thing that could have ever happened to Melissa Rycroft. Granted, she was embarrassed by millions of viewers when 'Bachelor' Jason Mesnick changed his mind at the reunion, picking runner-up Molly Malaney instead -- but the payoff was worth it. Rycroft has since been a contestant on 'Dancing With the Stars' (she finished third), contributed to 'Good Morning America' and will soon appear as a special correspondent for 'Entertainment Tonight.' And since we all know what it feels like to be dumped, we'll be rooting for her every step of the way.

Mike Rowe
Whether he's cleaning an animal skull, making a flower pot out of cow manure or castrating a goat with his teeth (yep), Rowe brings a fearless, can-do attitude to the job that guarantees an hour of riveting -- and often hilarious -- television. As they say ... it's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it -- and we're happy that somebody is Mike Rowe.

Tim Gunn
Gunn's "nice guy" approach is a relief to the otherwise cutthroat world of fashion. As mentor on Lifetime's 'Project Runway,' he goes the extra mile for each contestant, offering advice and criticism that is constructive, logical and beneficial to their success on the show. In other words: The guy knows how to make it work. And whenever someone is able to steal the spotlight away from Heidi Klum, you know they're doing something right.

Cat Deeley
This bubbly Brit has all the right moves as host of 'So You Think You Can Dance': She's smart; she's infectious; she's easy on the eyes. Best of all, she keeps the show balanced; just when you think the hot tamale train will derail, she pulls it back in with grace and style. She's the perfect yin to Nigel and Mary's yang.

REVILED

Omarosa
She's the co-worker every employee dreads to be around, having twice been a contestant on NBC's 'The Apprentice.' And she hasn't made it any easier for reality TV fans, either, with additional appearances on about 20 shows, including 'The Surreal Life,' in which her short fuse and bad attitude was tested by Janice Dickinson, among other house guests. But Omarosa's ultimate low point? In 2008, when she used her infamy to take on the publishing world with the release of 'The Bitch Switch: Knowing How to Turn It on and Off.' Yes, Omarosa. Please tell us how to turn it off.

Heidi and Spencer Pratt
As if their drama on 'The Hills' wasn't enough, Speidi took it to a whole new level when they appeared on the trainwreck reality series 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.' The result: More whining, more confused viewers and, of all things, a feud with 'Today' show weatherman Al Roker. By then, we thought their 15 minutes of fame might be up. But as we've come to learn, they always find a way to stay in the spotlight. Case in point: Heidi's latest bout with plastic surgery, in which she allegedly had 10 procedures in one day. Sorry, Heidi. But no among of surgery can fix how frustrating you two are.

Russell Hantz
He's been called the most evil survivor in history, and after all of the stunts he pulled last season, it's tough to dispute that title. Sure, he knew the island like the back of his hand, and could pull immunity idols out of thin air, but lying, manipulating, scheming and sheer arrogance will only get you so far -- second place, in fact, which is where he ultimately finished. Now that it's over, we can't say we blame the jury for picking Natalie instead.

Jon Gosselin
When you're a reality star and you find a new plus-one in the middle of divorce proceedings with your wife, odds are you probably won't make any man of the year lists. Instead, as was the case with Jon Gosselin, you'll find yourself on a slew of tabloid covers, in a nasty legal battle and at the butt of every joke in town. Luckily for us, things appear to be calming down on the Gosselin front, with news this week that Jon has finally reached a confidential settlement with TLC, the network which housed 'Jon and Kate Plus 8.' The only downside: This means that Kate and the rest of the Gosselin gang are probably headed back to TV soon.

Tags: cat deeley, heidi pratt, jon gosselin, melissa rycroft, mike rowe, omarosa, phil harris, spencer pratt, tim gunn

Comments

(127)

Sunday 21 February

By Elle

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I really think the author of this article should get his facts straight. I seem to remember that it was Mrs. Gosselin who told her husband "it was over" months before he was seen with another woman. In my opinion her picture should be seen under "reviled" instead of his!

By valeskas

You are right, she started it. I don't care if I ever see those two again. But the worst is Heidi and Spencer, these are two people who make me sick to my stomach. I only watch DWTS and I dol at the beginning, the rest need to dissapear.

By Annie

Elle, you are absolutely right. Evidently those who put this list together NEVER watched the show. If they had, they would have seen who the real villian is. TLC (the WHORE of tv) has done a great job of turning the opinion of simple-minded people against Jon.

By carol

I totally agree with you but unfortunately TLC just doesn't seem to get the message.

By babs

I agree with Elle. I never did like that she constantly berated Jon on TV. Maybe kids can finally have a "normal" life.

Monday 22 February

By mickey

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

The Dirty Job guy is totally obsessed with poo and talks about poo constantly and doesn't go five minutes in his show without saying poo and smiling or laughing and saying poo, or this smells like poo, or this is poo, or what do we do with this poo or poo poo. Gets old.

By Joyce

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I agree with Elle and Susan & the others about Kate Gosselin! I only watched the show a few times and saw what a controlling B..ch she was! And that was before there was any talk about a divorce! I quit watching it because I just couldn't stand her. Don't understand why so many people keep defending her and trashing him! I don't know how he stood her as long as he did, but I'm sure it was because of the kids. I hope nobody puts her back on TV! I feel sorry for those kids!

By Fran

Your history is muddled with incorrect facts. Jon the looser was playing single and jobless high school boy long before he was asked to leave. He needs to grow up, man up and take care of his children. I suspect Kate was very tired of being his mother. Women don't like whimpy men!

Forgot all the real Housewives is something to throw up about. Hopefully those women will be gone soon.

Wednesday 24 February

By Grammar Police

"But no among of surgery can fix how frustrating you two are."

No among?
And I want you to know, I really don't like to play grammar police. This is my first time correcting something. And if I make a typo, let me explain why it doesn't matter. I'm just some guy correcting a mistake. This is a website with editors. Many people who work at or for 'popeater' must be dumbasses to have missed this error if I can find it just reading. Very unprofessional. I made no visible errors, and I'm just some naked guy in Miami. That last part was a joke(maybe).

By mem

I agree, Kate Gosselin, The Housewives of Atlanta & the sisters on Housewives of New Jersey ought to have made the list.

By Melody

Does that Heidi girl honestly think she looks good? Or even normal? She belongs in a circus sideshow called "The Human Blow-up Doll."

Sunday 07 March

By AZBEAUTYJUNKIE

HUMAN BLOW UP DOLL??? CALLING HER "HUMAN" MAY BE TOO CHARITABLE!

By icewall42

I agree, she looks like a blimp. Why is that even attractive? All I can think about when I see women like that (women who have obviously gotten these procedures done) is driver and passenger side airbags. It's vile.

By Debbie

When is the 15 minutes of fame gonna be over for these wanna-be, talentless, attention hors?

By victoria

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ok ford does not stink there r the only ones who didnt take the money cause they make better trucks

By Connie

You forgot Jessica Simpson....the most annoying and despised liar in the world, and her creepy family!

By Dump Melissa

Why would you list Melissa on the Beloved? YUCK! Her 15 minutes of fame should have been over long ago. Crying and whining her way to fame... We need a different criteria if she's held in such esteem.

I agree with "Dump Melissa"! Now that she finally got a husband why doesn't she stay home with him and off of TV! She is a "whiner" for sure and still wants all that attention! I didn't blame Jason for breaking off with her after he got to know her!

By Matthew

I like Mike Rowe. Hes funny, would do TONS of things Id never do and hes HOT!!! The only thing I dont like is him hockin fords. ford SUCKS!

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