15 Reality TV Families Who Exploited Themselves For Fame

The unscripted series phenomenon has incredibly taken over TV. In the last few decades, reality TV has evolved in ways that we could have never believed. Remember back in the day when MTV first aired "The Real World"? Those seven strangers from all walks of life signed up to live in a house with each other. It was a social and media experiment that paid off and is still running after its 32nd season.

Since then, there have been a load of reality TV series with different concepts. Addicts let people into their intimate daily struggles on "Intervention," singles looking for love on "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," superstar hopefuls compete on "American Idol," adventurers looking for a big pay out traveled on "Road Rules," and culinary lovers showed off their skills on "Top Chef." While many of these shows like to carefully put strangers together in situations that would force drama, it didn't take long for network execs to realize that if you want real, juicy drama, you just have to find the right family. Those that signed up to let cameras into their homes were already making headlines, but there are others that found fame from reality TV. All of the families on this list were willing to put their privacy on the line and sometimes the price they paid destroyed their happy homes.

15 The Kardashians

They're one of the most famous families on the planet, and whether you love them or hate them, you can't get away from them. When the Kardashian-Jenner clan hit reality TV, they changed the way unscripted television works. Since their show debuted in 2007, Mom-ager Kris has paraded around her large family for ratings. So much so that people feel as if they've grown up with the Kardashians and have watched for years as their fame escalated, living out all the marriages, breakups, makeups, kids, fights, and drama. We can't forget watching Bruce Jenner transition into Caitlyn and little Kylie and Kendall turn into models and businesswomen. Fans can't get enough of them flaunting their lifestyles of world traveling, designer clothes, and fast cars. Critics may be ready for the Kardashians to take a break from reality TV, but even if they disappeared from the small screen, the reign of the family of Ks isn't stopping anytime soon.

14 The Boo Boos

"Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" was only on TV for two years, but it created a media storm with Alana Thompson at the center. The show followed the child beauty pageant contestant and her Georgia hillbilly family. There was much criticism about little Honey Boo Boo with her finger-snapping, neck-shaking sass, but the show was a hit and instantly made the family famous. Some said that Alana was being exploited by not only her loved ones, but also by the network for ratings and recognition. Regardless of what people think, the show went on and people soaked up the dysfunction. Mama June recently got her own series chronicling her dramatic weight loss after "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" was canceled when news broke that she was dating a registered sex offender. Mama June was not the only member in the family to have weight issues. In 2015, they both appeared in an episode of “The Doctors” where it was discovered that Alana gained 125 pounds.

13 The Simmons

For seven seasons "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" dominated A&E before it became the go-to network for reality TV. The slightly scripted reality series starred Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, his wife (girlfriend at the time) Shannon Tweed, and their two children, Sophie and Nick. The legendary rocker and his equally famous tongue have millions of fans around the world, but this was first time that people got to see Gene as a dad and a domesticated partner. For a brief moment, it looked as if Gene and Shannon were going to break up after nearly 30 years together, but instead they finally got married. In 2012 after six years on television, the Simmons family pulled the plug on their hit show and Gene continued to impress the world with the length of his… tongue. Still, fans of the show miss Gene and Linda's shenanigans and hope they return to the small screen.

12 The Duggars

They were once hailed as the wholesome family of TLC, but over time, the Duggars' reputation has taken a dive. Their reality show "19 Kids and Counting" became a hit as millions of people watched father Jim Bob and mother Michelle navigate their huge - and often growing - family. Fans learned about their little quirks, such as how all of the children's names start with a "J", and that they don't believe in using birth control. The daughters don't wear pants and the hem of their skirts have to reach past their knees. The show was canceled in 2015 after it was revealed that one of the sons, Josh Duggar, molested some of the young female family members as a teenager. What made the scandal worse was that both his parents knew and decided to keep it a secret while showing off their family on national television.

11 The Gosselins

It didn't take long for fans to see that there was trouble brewing in the Gosselins marriage. The "Jon & Kate Plus 8" parents starred on the TLC show with their eight children: a set of twins and sextuplets. Their show first aired in 2007, but by 2010, the couple split up and were divorced. Before they called it quits on their marriage, everyone watched them spiral out of control. Kate was often overbearing and irritable while Jon was going through some sort of midlife crisis. He would later make headlines for his outlandish behavior and wild partying ways, which eventually got him kicked off the series. The show was renamed "Kate Plus 8" and the memories of Jon could only be found in reruns. Being famous has done wonders for the once modest family now that the Gosselins have built their own brand and certainly aren't hurting for cash.

10 The Hogans

Hulk Hogan is one of the most famous pro-wrestlers in history, but in 2005 he went from being known for his mega-muscles to being recognized as being that guy with the VH1 reality show. "Hogan Knows Best" lasted for four seasons, but the show was popular enough that even daughter Brooke got her own spin-off series. For the first time fans, saw what it would be like to grow up as a Hogan, but unfortunately the happy times on screen began to unravel in real life. In 2007, Nick spent eight months in jail after he was involved in a car crash that seriously injured his friend, who now has to live out the rest of his life in a nursing home. Hulk and his wife, Linda, divorced and Brooke was engaged for a moment, but the weight of putting all of your business out on television became too heavy of a weight for the Hogans.

9 The Osbournes

Ozzy Osbourne has always been a notable but strange rock and roll figure. But no one knew how hilariously wild his family was until MTV cameras invaded their home in 2002. "The Osbournes" showed an unconventional family who loved each other dearly, but they definitely had their struggles. Children Kelly and Jack had issues with drug addictions and mom Sharon had trust issues with Ozzy. However, the family was able to get back on track. Both kids overcame many of their problems. Jack has become a dad and Kelly's hosting career took off when she joined "Fashion Police." Their parents are doing fairly well, too. People are still having a hard time figuring out what Ozzy says whenever he speaks and Sharon became a co-host on "The Talk." While their marriage has been a bumpy ride, Ozzy and Sharon are a match made in heavy metal heaven.

8 The Carters

Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter and his pop star brother Aaron were all the rage at one time in pop music history, so it was only fitting for the E! Network to capitalize off of their fame and give them a show. "House of Carters" was centered on the famous brothers and their three sisters who lived with them as they tried to reconnect their family. The show only ran for eight episodes in the fall of 2006 and die hard Backstreet Boys fans couldn't get enough of their drama. Nick has struggled throughout his life with alcohol and drug addiction. As for Aaron, he was arrested in 2008 and in 2013 filed for bankruptcy. That same year tragedy struck the Carter family as the singers' 25-year-old sister Leslie died of an overdose. Nick has quit all of his bad behaviors, wrote an autobiography titled "Facing the Music and Living to Talk about It", and was even featured on "Dancing with the Stars."

7 The Braxtons

Toni Braxton didn't need reality TV to become famous, but her sisters - Tamar, Traci, Towanda, and Trina - became household names after "Braxton Family Values" aired on WE TV in 2011. The ladies are all singers like their award-winning sister Toni, but never tasted the same kind of fame until they became reality stars. Their mom, Evelyn, was the glue keeping them together with pearls of wisdom while the women often fought, hitting below the belt. Tamar immediately became a fan favorite for her outspoken and downright loud nature. She and her high profile music executive husband, Vincent Herbert, later got their own spin-off series, "Tamar & Vince." She also released a hit solo album and for three years she was a co-host for "The Real" before she was fired in 2016. Their show is doing well and is now on its fifth season.

6 The Browns

When bad boy Bobby Brown began dating powerhouse vocalist Whitney Houston, people couldn't understand how the universe aligned these two together. However, no one knew just how crazy they really were until "Being Bobby Brown" aired in 2005. The show was supposed to help revive Bobby's reputation after his string of run-ins with the law and much documented drug addictions as he spent time with his family. Instead they saw a rich and famous couple who were out of control. It only lasted for one season because Whitney said she wouldn't appear on it again. The two divorced in 2007 and sadly five years later Whitney was found dead in a bathtub at The Beverly Hills Hotel from an accidental overdose. In 2015 the couples' daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was found face down in a bathtub at her home in Georgia. The 22-year-old was in a coma for six months before she died.

5 Kimora Lee

She was already a successful businesswoman and busy mom, but people really got to know Kimora Lee when she starred on her own Style Network reality show "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane." Cameras followed her around, highlighting her daily life with her daughters Ming and Aoki who she shares with mogul Russell Simmons. From 2007 to 2011, we were able to watch Kimora explore a more serious relationship with her handsome partner, actor Djimon Hounsou. The two even had a son together in 2009. Unfortunately, they decided to break up back in 2012. She took a two year break from reality TV but jumped back in the game in 2013 when she came out on "House of Fab." Unlike her first series where she showed much of her personal life, "House of Fab" only focused on Kimora's career. It only lasted for one season.

4 The Robertsons

They were just an unknown but successful family who ran their own business, Duck Commander, from Louisiana. But in no time they became a cultural phenomenon. Their long beards, camouflage clothing, and conservative views were a staple on the show. They've sold hundreds of millions of dollars in merchandise as the show was on air for 11 seasons, but they decided to end the series just this year. Although they were the beloved duck family of reality TV (who also annoyed many), Phil Robertson ruffled a few feathers when his interview with GQ magazine was released and he was accused of making anti-gay remarks back in 2013. He was later suspended by A&E who released a statement saying that they are supporters of the LGBTQ community. However, they allowed him to resume filming nine days later and the show continued to be a hit until the end.

3 Run's House

Before he became Rev Run, Joseph Simmons was a part of the iconic hip hop duo Run DMC. After changing his life and going down a more saintly path, the east coast rapper practices ministry and is actively engaged in motivational speaking. MTV wanted to catch up on what the good Rev was doing in 2005, so for four years they placed cameras in his house and followed the silly but loveable antics of his growing family. Other reality television shows at the time were trying to out-do each other with drama and controversy, but "Run's House" was the opposite. It became a hit for not being salacious, and viewers delighted in the wholesome hip hop family. Now, two of Rev Run's kids have kids of their own as his business mogul daughters Vanessa and Angela have both given birth.

2 The Chapmans

Bustin' criminals while wearing mullets became a national treasure when A&E aired "Dog the Bounty Hunter." Duane Lee "Dog" Chapman and his wife, Beth, tracked down bad guys in both Hawaii and Colorado. The show debuted in 2004, but by the looks of their attire, you'd think that they were stuck in a 1980s hair metal video. There was a hiatus during the eighth season run after audio was released of Chapman talking about how he would never want his son Tucker to date a black girl because he and his family regularly use the "n" word. You can only imagine the scandal that ensued, but A&E kept the Chapmans on the air. After eight seasons, Duane starred in another reality series called “Dog and Beth: On the Hunt”. People never looked at the bounty hunting family the same but they will forever hold a special place in reality TV history.

1 The Polygamist Browns

We often see unconventional families featured on reality television, but when the Browns hit the small screen, it was a shock to people's "normal" senses. "Sister Wives" followed the polygamist family featuring Kody Brown, his four wives, and their growing family including 18 children. The Browns wanted to document themselves to raise awareness about polygamy and knew that their lifestyle would generate criticism. They certainly achieved that and more when the show generated 2.26 million viewers during its premiere episode. Later on, there was talk about Kody facing prosecution for marrying multiple women, but he contends that he's only legally married to one woman while the other marriages are recognized by the family and not by the law. For the last seven years, the Brown family has evolved, and if media reports are true, one wife may be leaving Kody as he courts a fifth new bride. Yikes.