Compiled by Caitlin Piper
Weddings, dating, child pageants and makeovers — when it comes to reality TV, no stone goes unturned. But even the craziest of these shows seem ordinary when compared to what we’ve found.
Hillbilly Handfishin’
Network: Animal Planet
Sunday, 7 p.m.
Skipper Bivins and Trent Jackson are passionate about noodling: the sport of fishing with only your bare hands and feet. These Oklahoma-based, self-proclaimed hillbillies want to share their passion with the world, starting with tourist city folk. Every episode, they take a small group on a noodling expedition in rural lakes and rivers. The tourists then break off into teams and compete to catch the biggest fish, putting their noodling skills to the test as they are forced to rely on their sense of touch in the murky waters. Expect to see a lot of mud in this Southern-fried adventure.
Whisker Wars
Network: IFC
Friday, 9 p.m.
In today’s competitive world, just about anything can be turned into a contest. Follow two-time Natural Full Beard world champion Jack Passion and his fellow “beardsmen” into the world of competitive beard-growing, where every whisker matters. Narrated and produced by Emmy award-winning Thom Beers, who also narrated shows such as “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers,” this hair-raising show is too strange to pass up.
Duck Dynasty
Network: A&E
Wednesday, 9 p.m.
“Duck Dynasty” is a classic rags-to-riches story. After years of living in poverty in Louisiana swampland, the Robertson family suddenly hit it big with its handcrafted duck calls, forming the Duck Commander company in 1973. Former CEO Phil Robertson spent 25 years developing his “Duck Commander” duck call in a worn-down shed before creating his multi-million dollar empire. His family business is still going strong.
Bling It On
Network: TLC
Thursday, 9 p.m.
Boston fashion designer Sondra Celli has one mission in life: to make every outfit fabulous. To do this, she needs determination, originality and a few thousand rhinestones. Her dresses and accessories are made-to-order by a small team made up of herself and her “blingettes,” and constant deadlines only force them to work faster. Whether you want a simple dress adorned with mink and blinking lights or a bedazzled pacifier, this “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding” star has you covered.
Shipping Wars
Network: A&E
Tuesday, 8 and 8:30 p.m.
It seems anyone can get a reality show deal these days. “Shipping Wars” follows a select group of independent shippers who transport items other companies cannot. Once they “win” a job in a reverse auction on uShip.com, the shippers must deliver their cargo before the client’s deadline. At the end of each episode, their expenses — fuel and late-delivery penalties, for example – are counted on-screen and subtracted from the original bid, determining an overall profit or loss.
