Top 10 Reality TV Moments That Became Memes

#10: Justin Timberlake Cries

“Punk’d” (2003-07; 2012; 2015; 2020-21)

Ashton Kutcher and MTV’s “Punk’d” didn’t exactly pull any punches when it came to their prank victims. Justin Timberlake was a major star. To see him made a fool of on the show’s premiere episode felt like uncharted territory. But that image of Timberlake, emotional as he watches his belongings being seized for unpaid back taxes, is kind of unforgettable to anyone who saw it. His reaction may have gone viral a few years before social media, but his contemplative pose on the curb is still a perfect response to distressing news. This is definitely going to ruin the tour.

#9: Tanisha Didn’t Get Any Sleep

“Bad Girls Club” (2006-17)

When Tanisha Thomas performs an impromptu song for her housemates, the “Bad Girls Club” almost looked like an episode of “Glee.” All the way back in 2008, Thomas was part of the infamous Oxygen show’s second season. Fed up by their all-night prank war, Thomas wakes up her sleeping housemates with pots, pans, and an ode to their keeping her up. She is chaos incarnate, and she’s not playing around. Even when they try to talk her down, she’s ready to fight. The moment has since inspired memes and GIFs for every occasion, from loud neighbors to everyday inconveniences.

#8: “Best I Can Do Is …”

“Pawn Stars” (2009-)

This long-running History Channel series features the Harrison family’s store, Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Every episode, hopeful sellers come in, eager to hear how much Rick Harrison will give them for their prized items. Invariably, they’re disappointed by his offer. The phrase “best I can do is …” is generally followed by a much lower amount than they wanted. Almost instantly, a meme was born. The format, originally poking fun at Harrison’s constant lowballing, has since taken on a life of its own. Requests and complaints are often followed by disappointing counteroffers. It’s the meme equivalent of the phrase “you can’t always get what you want.”

#7: “That’s My Opinion!!!”

“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (2006-)

A “Real Housewife” losing her temper? Call the press. What makes this one special is just how unhinged “Orange County” castmember Tamra Judge gets when Vicki Gunvalson defends then boyfriend, Brooks Ayers. Judge screams the words “that’s my opinion” at a decibel level that’s almost dangerous for human ears. Drama is a given on these shows, but this was a genuinely intense moment that felt deliciously outsized to the situation. Sometimes, the GIFs generate themselves. This reaction image became a go-to for defending a hot take or responding to an inconsequential disagreement in the group chat.

#6: New York on the Bed

“Flavor of Love” (2006-08)

Tiffany Pollard should be able to retire on the amount of memes, GIFs, and straight-up viral moments she’s generated over two decades in reality TV. That iconic “Flavor of Love” moment when she sat in bed with her oversized sunglasses on, clearly done with the other women trying to win Flavor Flav’s heart, is a meme for all occasions. As she waxes poetic once again about how she’s not here to make friends, Pollard sits, silent, stoic, and a little sinister, staring seemingly at nothing as the camera lingers on her. The screenshot became a catch-all for any situation that’s irritating or confusing. For someone with such a big personality, it’s ironic that her most memorable moment is also one of her quieter ones.

#5: The “God Warrior”

“Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy” (2004-07)

After trading places with a woman who practices Wicca, Marguerite Perrin’s demonstration of zealous Christianity created a barnburner of a reality TV meltdown. She more than earned the nickname “the God Warrior.” There’s only one thing the Internet knows how to do when confronted with such anger. We make a meme out of it. Perrin’s fierce and defiant rant about all things “dark-sided” was embraced by an unlikely community. She credits the support of the LGBT community with helping her become a more accepting and welcoming person. This is a case where everybody wins. She finds some peace, and we get a fantastic series of GIFs.

#4: Kim’s Earring

“Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (2007-21)

Sometimes, when you’re a member of one of America’s most famous and wealthy families, you need a reality check. That wakeup call comes courtesy of Kourtney Kardashian. After losing her $75,000 diamond earring in the ocean, Kim Kardashian is despondent. Kourtney, unsympathetic, reminds her that there are worse problems. The meme saw such a huge resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a response to the trivial complaints of celebrities while the world was shut down. There were times when “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” rivaled a scripted sitcom. This exchange between two of the sisters was an instant viral classic.

#3: “I Feel Very Attacked!”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked!” (2010-)

During a heated exchange in “Drag Race”’s companion show, the queens of season 6 confronted contestant Laganja Estranja about her authenticity. Led by Bianca Del Rio, the cast finally decided it was time to question her exaggerated and put-on persona. The tension mounts, and while Adore Delano contends that they don’t mean to attack her, Laganja clearly doesn’t agree. Her response is the stuff of reality TV gold. It doesn’t help that she’s wearing a gigantic pink wig at the time. This is another one of those memes that can be applied to any situation. Minor disagreements can become major with just a dash of Laganja.

#2: “We Were All Rooting for You!”

“America’s Next Top Model” (2003-15; 2016-18)

Did your favorite celebrity disappoint you? Did a movie you were looking forward to flop majorly? Have we got a meme for you! Despite a recent reckoning courtesy of a Netflix docuseries, “America’s Next Top Model” was a dependable meme factory for years. Host and executive producer Tyra Banks’ rant toward cycle 4 contestant Tiffany Richardson has been a faithful reaction GIF for over two decades now. If you can appreciate it outside of the disturbing context of Banks’ reported tyranny on set, it is one of the franchise’s standout scenes.

#1: Woman Yelling at a Cat

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (2010-)

It’s been called many things, from a classic reality TV meltdown to a Renaissance painting come to life. The image of a tearful, angry Taylor Armstrong being held back by her “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” castmate Kyle Richards came from a very real and emotional argument. Once one Internet user decided to place it next to a picture of a cat sitting at a table, it became a legendary piece of social media lore. Everyone and their grandma has seen this meme. It’s so big that many people probably don’t even know it’s from “The Real Housewives.”

Did you see any of these memeable moments as they aired? Tell us in the comments.