Discovery Channel has for years been filled with reality TV shows that can either be highly original or painstakingly boring or over-the-top.
Reality television is ultimately meant to serve as a distraction from real life and make viewers laugh, feel afraid or in some cases even put their own issues and insecurities into perspective. Of course, as often happens on other networks, certain shows gain such a cult following that they become a seemingly irremovable staple, even after the writing stops making complete sense or after a beloved star or producer leaves. One can only imagine that Discovery will continue to create new material for reality shows that offer something new and that keep audiences on their toes.
From ‘Mythbusters’ to ‘BattleBots,’ here are Discovery Channel’s most popular series all ranked from the worst to the best.
15 'Fast N' Loud' Is Just Irritating
One would think that a show with such a title would have as much quality as it has flare. However, 'Fast N' Loud' manages to just be obnoxious. Richard Rawlings and his Dallas-based garage crew seek out old, run-down cars and restore them to make a profit. The vehicles aren't as sleek as you might think, however.
14 'Treasure Quest: Snake Island' Is Way Too Exaggerated & Cartoonish
Hunting for gold supposedly found on an island off the coast of Brazil should be an interesting premise in theory, but it doesn't pan out so great in practice. The scenes that involve snakes are simply too cartoonish. At least the show offers some intriguing archaeology facts to keep our attention.
13 'American Chopper' Features Some Ridiculous Arguments Between Father And Son, Paul Teutul Sr. & Junior
The quarrels between father-son duo Paul Teutul Sr. and Jr. on 'American Chopper' may induce a chuckle at first, but this charade gets old really fast. Plus, fans were left wondering what happened to builder/fabricator Rick Petko. At least many of the cool custom bikes make up for this, most of the time.
12 'Dual Survival' Is Not As Entertaining As 'Survivor'
In this series, duo Cody Lundin and Dave Canterbury fight to survive in the wilderness, but their struggles are not as intriguing as those shown on similar shows like 'Survivor' or 'Man vs. Wild.' The soundtrack also does not help the show's case, although seeing the pair club a porcupine for food is somewhat different.
11 'Vegas Rat Rods' Stars Make Some Horrible Vehicles
If you haven't even heard of 'Vegas Rat Rods,' don't worry, you're not missing out on much. In this series, Steve Darnell and his Welder Up crew find worn-down cars and trucks and take them apart just to make them look as crazy as humanly possible. The results are more or less what you see above.
10 'Naked And Afraid XL' Offers Nothing Exciting Compared To The Original
Talk about uninspiring spin-offs. The sad truth is that 'Naked and Afraid XL' simply doesn't raise the stakes much higher than those of its progenitor. Plus, it seems like there is certainly much more personal drama taking place in this version of the show than in the original. As if we needed more of that.
9 'Wheeler Dealers' Lost Its Touch After Edd China Left
Edd China was one of the greatest parts of 'Wheeler Dealers,' a car reselling show that is an import from the U.K. The mechanic and motor specialists left the series in 2017 because he disagreed with Velocity's vision for it. China was reportedly upset by Velocity's attempts to reduce the depth of his fixes in the workshop.
8 'Alaskan Bush People' Is Too Mired In Controversy To Be Enjoyable
'Alaskan Bush People,' which first premiered in 2014, centers on the Browns, a family with seven children whose daily life consists of a struggle to survive. However, the show's stars have had all sorts of legal and personal issues, from lying about their residency to alcohol addiction. Let's hope the Browns get their act together soon.
7 'Cash Cab' Still Includes Some Of The Quirkiest People Ever
Nearly 15 years after it first premiered, 'Cash Cab' continues to delight us with its idiosyncratic contestants and vast array of celebrity appearances. Last summer, it was announced that a revival of the show will be coming to Bravo. The reboot is expected to feature more diverse couples to reflect today's America.
6 'BattleBots' Robots Can Actually Be Pretty Cool
So it may not be as cool as the 2011 movie 'Real Steel' featuring Hugh Jackman, but 'BattleBots' definitely features some entertaining robots with well-thought-out designs. Whether they're cruising across the ring or flying, these inventions continue to delight viewers by pummeling each other to bits — or at least trying to.
