The Worst People in the History of Reality TV

Without a doubt, Joshua Duggar's name is synonymous with infamy, stemming from a scandal-laden past that includes sexual abuse allegations and involvement in the notorious Ashley Madison hack. Hailing from the once-beloved, now-disgraced reality TV show 19 Kids and Counting, Duggar's actions sparked outrage across the nation, leading to the TLC series' eventual cancellation in 2015. His fall from grace has been monumental, proving that even in the world of reality television, there are some actions unforgivable by both producers and viewers alike.

Kate Gosselin, the matriarch of the large family featured in Jon & Kate Plus 8, is a prime illustration of how a camera's presence can wreak havoc on personal relationships. Her tumultuous marriage and divorce from ex-husband Jon played out in the public eye, further exacerbated by her volatile temper and lack of empathy for her children. Consequently, Kate's reputation as a loving mother has been irreparably tarnished, and she has come to symbolize what happens when reality TV goes too far.

Farrah Abraham, of Teen Mom fame, is a prime example of how reality TV can take a vulnerable individual and morph them into a caricature of their former self. Initially garnering sympathy as a teenage mother struggling to raise her daughter, Abraham quickly evolved into an attention-seeking figure, engaging in various adult entertainment ventures and embracing a concerning level of narcissism. Now known more for her shock-factor antics than her initial Teen Mom storyline, Abraham has become an embodiment of the worst that reality TV has to offer.

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo star June Shannon — better known as Mama June — has become a paragon of dysfunction and moral oblivion, her conduct as a mother having drawn widespread criticism. From feeding her children questionable nutrition to indulging in questionable relationship choices, Shannon's behavior and the show's exploitative nature led to the series' cancellation in 2014. Consequently, Mama June's infamy is rooted in both personal failings and the broader issues related to how reality television can exploit and exacerbate real-life struggles for the sake of entertainment.

Kris Jenner, the mastermind behind the now-infamous Kardashian clan, has accrued a reputation as a shrewd, manipulative manager who cares more about her family's brand than their well-being. Commanding center stage on Keeping Up With the Kardashians since 2007, Jenner has been responsible for perpetuating her family's controversial fame and directly influencing the reality TV landscape. As the matriarch of a dynasty that often represents the worst in reality television, Kris Jenner's influence and impact are both undeniable and problematic.

Spencer Pratt's role as the villain of The Hills transformed him from an unknown figure into a poster child for narcissism, manipulation, and reality TV-fueled toxicity. His tumultuous relationship with then-girlfriend, now-wife Heidi Montag culminated in their union becoming one of the most notoriously dysfunctional couples in television history. Spencer's infamy has endured partly because of his own actions, but also because he represents the kind of character that reality TV producers seem to relish.