I am fully willing to admit being a reality TV junkie.  But instead of watching shows like The Hills, or The Girls Next Door, I'm more into competitive reality. Sure, I do watch some shows, (which will likely be mentioned on this list), but competitive reality allows people's personalities to shine through even more truly than any show like Laguna Beach.  So, here you go! 

10. Project Runway - Possibly Bravo's most watched reality show, Project Runway is by far one of the best reality shows out to watch.  The aim of the show is to find America's next top designer, and boy, do they make it interesting.  The season starts out with 16 fashion designers, paired against one another to be the last person on the runway.  What makes the show, is not only the amazing, unique clothes these designers create, but the characters that make it to the final 16.  Often flamboyant and over-the-top, the contestants all tend to have inflated egos, witty senses of humor, a cutthroat edge, or some combination of the three.  Not only do the contestants make the show interesting- the judges have their own charming personalities as well.  Host Heidi Klum usually slides in a snarky remark at judging; other judges, designer Michael Kors and former Editor-at-Large of Elle magazine, Nina Garcia are well known amongst fans for their sometimes harsh criticisms and blunt honesty.  More beloved amongst contestants and viewers alike is chief creative officer for Liz Clairborne, and fashion guide Tim Gunn.  Known for his sayings such as "Make it work!" and "Carry on!", Gunn is a valuable and enjoyable addition to the show.  Unfortunately, due to various legal problems, the show is on hiatus till the issues are figured out, but look for some episodes online, or even buy them on DVD- you're sure to be entertained for hours. 

9. The Mole - Okay, so The Mole isn't on TV anymore.  They tried to revive it last year, after a four year hiatus, and I was SO happy...but it was another unsuccessful attempt.  I don't really understand why people don't like it...it's a show all about sabotage.  Basically, the premise of the show is this: There's usually a group of 12 contestants, one is "The Mole".  The contestants have a pot, which they complete challenges to earn money; the total sum of the money earned goes into the pot, which is the ultimate prize at the end.  The Mole's job is to keep money from going into the pot, while keeping their identity as The Mole a secret, by earning players trust, and occasionally helping in the missions.  At the end, The Mole is revealed, and all the players who got eliminated smack themselves on the forehead.  It's really an interesting show, definitely worth trying to find the different seasons online.

8. Top Chef - LOVE this show.  If you like food, and funny, intense people, then you will adore this show.  Another creation of Bravo, the setup is very similar to that of Project Runway's, 16 chefs come together to compete to see who the best of them is.  Each episode starts out with a Quickfire Challenge- a challenge the chefs are given with little time to think about what it is they want to cook, and the can only use ingredients within their kitchen, (which means no shopping); every so often, there will be a "relay race" of sorts, where the contestants must do something like filet a fish, or perfectly dice a carrot.  The challenge usually has a spin to it- for example- in one episode, the contestants had to create a dish using only canned food.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Well, these chefs are used to the freshest, highest quality ingredients, and all have well-trained palettes.  The results never fail to be fascinating.  After the Quickfire, it moves on to the Elimination Challenge.  This is usually more straightforward, and the chefs are given more time to plan out their menus and are able to shop for their food.  Often the chefs will be put into groups, assuring some head-butting and egos grinding on one another.  Their dishes are generally served to larger crowds, but the final elimination is decided at judges table, made up of a panel of some of the best chefs and foodies around.  Watch one episode, and you are sure to get hooked...and hungry!

8. Who Wants to Be a Superhero? - Nothing beats crazy people, at least that's how it is in my mind.  Not that these people are totally crazy, but they've got to be in the tiniest bit, especially considering they're willing to run around in tights and/or revealing costumes.  Like The Mole, this show is on hiatus, but the full second season is up for you to watch on SciFi's website.  The premise of the show is really simple.  Legendary comic book artist Stan Lee rounds up a group of ordinary people with Superhero identities, and puts them through a series of challenges testing not their physical ability, but their heroes' qualities and character.  The winner of the competition gets comic book glorification, in the form of a Dark Horse Comics comic book, and a SciFi original movie.  Pretty cool, if you ask me, even if it borders on totally nerdy.

7. Flipping Out - Another one of Bravo's children.  I promise Bravo is not paying me to write about their shows, I do just genuinely have a sick obsession with them.  Anyway, Flipping Out centers around Los Angeles-based house-flipper Jeff Lewis, and his "team", made up of his assistant Jenni, housekeeper Zoila, friend and business associate Ryan, and various other helpers that come and go with time.  Sounds pretty normal, right?  Wrong.  Jeff has as a legitimate case of OCD, is a tireless worker and extreme perfectionist.  He'll freak out if someone forgets to mention "no onions" on his lunch, or if all the labels in the fridge aren't facing outward.  Combine that with the profession of flipping houses, and you're in store for some fantastic reality television.  Each member of the show has a different personality, all of which are likeable.  Though not currently on air, season three is currently filming, and will continue into the early summer.  So keep an eye out!!

6. Jon & Kate Plus 8 - There's not much to say about this show, other than it centers around Jon and Kate Gosselin.  Oh, and don't forget their eight children.  The couple has one set of twins, Kara and Maddie, (eight years old), and a set of sextuplets: Alexis, Aaden, Hannah, Joel, Collin, and Leah, (four years old).  Each episode chronicles a different adventure for the Gosselin family, whether it's picking pumpkins at a local patch, or taking a ski-trip across the country, including all the high points, and even some of the low.  Their children, especially still being young, are absolutely adorable and steal the show.  It's what makes you come back to watch it again, and again.

5. The Amazing Race - This show is so fantastic.  There's 11 or 12 teams of two, with the pair having some sort of preexisting relationship, who travel around the world, completing various challenges of both the physical and mental sort.  There's really no maximum age for contestants, resulting in a very diverse group of contestants.  What makes this show interesting and easy to watch over and over is how the relationships between people affect their performances.  Some people let their relationship get in the way, resulting in truly bitter arguments and resentment, while others make immense strides and end up with a much stronger relationship than when they started.  These relationships don't have to be romantic, and the show has featured plenty of parent/child or friend/friend teams.  The dynamic of these relationships is sure to make a fan out of anybody who watches it.

4. Ace of Cakes - That's right, the Ace of Cakes.  This show centers around Duff Goldman, his crew, and his shop, Charm City Cakes, located in Baltimore, Maryland.  That's right.  This show is about people who make cakes.  Fortunately, Goldman and his employees are all well-humored and witty people who truly love their work.  Each member is quite a character, and the cakes they build are truly spectacular.

3. The Real Housewives of Orange County - So, I kind of call this a guilty pleasure.  Rich, spoiled housewives desperately trying to maintain their youth?  It's great to make fun of, but a part of me probably wishes I could be them.  And I'm willing to admit that.  You can certainly infer from the title that there is bound to be some drama on the show, and at least once an episode, claws come out.  The show doesn't only focus on the housewives and their interaction, but their children, and how equally ridiculous they can be.  If you're looking to feel normal, or wonder what life behind gated communities and huge mansions is like, check it out, you might like it!

2. Make Me A Supermodel - Another Bravo original program.  This one is as simple as all the others.  16 model wannabes, all vying for a chance to be the next supermodel out of America.  Sounds relatively dull, but the challenges are all interesting, and there's bound to be a few characters within the group.  Also, (to point out the obvious), there's a ton of good looking people.  I prefer to gawk at the guys, but for all you lady-loving-men, there's plenty of eye candy.  The soon-to-air second season looks WAY more interesting than the first, so be sure to tune in on March 4th at 10PM for the season's premiere!

1. Wife Swap - Oh, this show is fantastic beyond words.  Two families agree to switch moms for two weeks, (for whatever reason), and the results that ensue are hilarious.  Generally the show has the brilliancy to get two families that are total opposites of one another and switch the mothers.  My personal favorite was the episode where they took an extremely Christian, conservative family, and swapped wives with a liberal, hippie-type family.  Sometimes you might lose a little bit of faith in people, or be appalled by how some people let their children act, but when the wives are reunited with their own family, your heart is totally warmed and melted.