From table flips to notorious one-liners, reality television has given us moments that will live on forever. It has also plucked people from their traditional lives and made them mainstream through viral video clips, memes, and gifs we now use when texting our besties. Think you know reality tv?

Teresa Guidice Table Flip

In just the first season of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Guidice made a stand-out appearance, but it was this iconic season finale moment that would cement her as a housewife all-star. The episode titled, “The Last Supper,” rightfully so, featured the cast having dinner at a restaurant, when things took a heated turn between Guidice and cast member, Daniella Staub. At the dinner table, when Staub brings up a book about her past,

Teresa’s anger reaches a boiling point as she stands up and slams her hands on the table, shouting, "You were engaged 19 times?!" This was in response to a claim about Danielle's relationship history. As the argument escalated, Teresa’s frustration became palpable. She then famously flipped the dinner table, sending plates, food, and drinks crashing to the floor. 15 years later the moment still lives being recreated as halloween costumes, used as gifs, and quoted at many dinner tables - table flips excluded.

Can you remember these iconic moments?

“Scandoval”

Whether you are a reality tv buff or not, you could not avoid the buzz of “Scandoval.” The New York Times even called it, “the biggest reality tv story of 2023.” In season 10 episode 15 of Bravo’s hit-series, Vanderpump Rules, the cameras are picked up after Ariana Madix finds out her boyfriend of nearly a decade, Tom Sandoval has cheated on her with a close friend, Rachel Leviss. Once the episode aired, the news spread like wildfire and the aftermath was both horrifying as fans took to social media to bash Tom and Rachel, but also gave new found fame to Ariana. She would go on to participate in Dancing With The Stars, and land a role on Broadway’s Chicago. The buzz also landed the show Vanderpump Rules, its first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Unstructured Reality TV Program. Highlighting the show's significant impact and popularity in the realm of reality television.

William Hung Auditions for American Idol

If you have made it this far, then you are iconic yourself! This last moment aired in January 2004 and 20 years later, it still comes up as the second most popular gif when you search “American Idol.” In season 3 of American Idol, a charismatic William Hung auditioned with an off-key rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs”, featuring his side to side sway and energetic smile. While he didn’t make the cut to the next round, he became an instant fan-favorite and a symbol for how unpredictable the auditions could be. Fast forward to 2024, Hung is 41 years-old and recently shared he is getting ready to return to his job as a crime analyst for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. His appearance on reality TV was not over just yet, making an appearance on the Prime series The Goat which aired this year.