Top 10 Wildest Y2K MTV Series We Can't Believe They Made

#10: “Parental Control” (2006-2010)

While the idea of abandoning an established relationship for a random person sounds extreme, on MTV, it was just another plot point. Each episode of “Parental Control” showcased a seemingly mismatched pairing, where one half was usually far more extreme. The parents— usually the ones of the more mild-mannered partner— would swoop in and each choose someone new for their child to go out with. For maximum drama, the other half of the couple was then made to watch the blind dates, all while being insulted. The result was a series of attempted arranged relationships, on-screen cheating, and plenty of exaggerated one-liners. It may have been the perfect formula for a reality show, but we can only hope no one’s family attempted this in real life.

#9: “Boiling Points” (2003-08)

How far can one person be pushed before they snap? This was the main question behind “Boiling Points,” a show where people were brought to the very brink of anger. It had a simple yet perfect formula, where actors would do their very best to annoy an array of unknowing contestants. Should those being filmed survive the interaction without blowing their lid, then they would be rewarded a whopping $100. With the challenges ranging from just a few minutes to nearly half an hour, it’s no surprise that several of their unwitting participants would fail partway through. Each episode was like watching real-life rage bait play out, with the only real winners being those watching at home.

#8: “Fear” (2000-02)

Other ghost hunting shows may have been released afterwards, but none have come close to matching the chaos of this one. On “Fear,” participants would be blindfolded and led inside abandoned buildings, where they would then be shut in a room with their fellow competitors. Come nightfall, they’d be sent out into the decaying halls to complete dares. Some would even have to attempt to summon spirits using a variety of methods, all designed to be as horrifying as possible. Should they survive two nights without forfeiting, then they’d have one final challenge— navigating the rooms to find their prize money. Though exciting to watch, the extreme nature of each episode was a disaster waiting to happen.

#7: “Room Raiders” (2003-09)

Getting a glimpse of a person’s bedroom can give you a peek into who they are. So what better way to choose a potential partner than rifling through their things? In “Room Raiders,” three competitors watched as a potential suitor went through their most personal items to choose which one to date. Each inspection came with a healthy dose of embarrassment, especially once the rubber gloves and black light got pulled out. The raider then had the roles reversed as their own room was thoroughly combed through. The show was invasive by nature, with participants having their personal hobbies and lives blasted to viewers around the world.

#6: “Exposed” (2007-08)

Pseudoscience and deceit – what better way to go about finding a relationship? MTV combined both with the short-lived “Exposed.” Contestants would go out with two mic’d-up potential partners, who would have everything they said analyzed by a polygraph being conducted behind the scenes. The results were then fed to the main participant, who would use that information to choose a winner. Besides the intrusive recording methods, the inefficiency of lie detection tests made it impossible to truly tell who was lying. This led to plenty of editing magic to make it seem more realistic than it was. With most tests primarily picking up on heightened heart rate and breathing, there’s a strong chance that several of the supposed liars were simply just nervous instead.

#5: “Celebrity Deathmatch” (1998-2002; 2006-07)

It being animated doesn’t make it any less wild. Each week on “Celebrity Deathmatch,” clay versions of celebrities would duke it out in the ring. These fights were to the death, allowing both sides to get in some intense damage. The unique animation style meant that the final moves could become more creative and deranged as the series progressed. The show was both ridiculous and well-researched, with several contestants having moves that pertained to their careers. When it aired, it was a perfect microcosm of a pre-widespread Internet era. In the present day, it still makes for a fun nostalgia watch, but increased stan culture combined with its unapologetic violence make it impossible to bring back.

#4: “Wildboyz” (2003-06)

You may think it’d be difficult to top a show as extreme as “Jackass.” Yet, two members of its cast did just that with “Wildboyz.” In it, Chris Pontius and Steve-O traveled the world to learn about different cultures and partake in insane challenges. It was entertaining, but forcing animals, whether wild or not, into stressful situations has understandably aged poorly. They would provoke animals until they reacted with their natural defenses, leading to them being subjected to everything from poison to potential attacks. Steve-O even later admitted that it was a factor as to why he would never go back. So while we may never get a reboot, we at least have the memories and the knowledge that the hosts have changed for the better.

#3: “Next” (2005-08)

Thanks to dating apps, rejecting someone within seconds has become commonplace. In the 2000s, however, it was a shock to watch it happen on your screen. “Next” was a fast-paced dating show where contestants went on a series of five blind dates. They would get to reject the daters for any reason, whether it was valid or not. On top of that, the losers were usually ridiculed behind their back afterward, adding to the mean-spirited vibe. It was made even more wild by the inclusion of hilarious introduction lines and chaotic fun facts that made the participants appear all the more cartoonish. Even though it could never be remade, the concept has permeated itself within dating culture, mostly for the worse.

#2: “Date My Mom” (2004-06)

Imagine this being your meet-cute with your significant other. The very concept of “Date My Mom” is crazy, with participants having to choose a partner out of three potential options by going out with their mothers first. The moms themselves had the Herculean task of describing their children in the most uncomfortable way possible. Regardless of whether it’s scripted or not, seeing a parent discuss their offspring’s looks to a complete stranger was awkward at best. In classic dating-show fare, each episode ended with a ridiculously dramatic beachside ceremony where the parents would finally present their family members to the would-be suitor following their rejection, closing out the experience with one final dose of humiliation.

#1: “Viva La Bam” (2003-06)

If there’s one thing the “Jackass” crew has proven over the years, it’s that they have no problem re-capturing the original energy of the show. “Viva La Bam” did it effortlessly, with the whole series being centered around Bam Margera putting his friends and family through a barrage of intense pranks. With antics ranging from immense property damage to special moments being ruined, there was no limit to his insane ideas. Even being reprimanded by his local government had the opposite effect, inspiring him to go even bigger with his ideas. It may have resulted in hilarity for viewers, but we can only imagine the constant stress his family and those living around him had to put up with on a daily basis.

Which insane MTV show was your favorite growing up? Let us know in the comments below!