Reality TV exploded in the late 1990s. Programmes like 'Big Brother' and 'Survivor' appeared on network's schedules and lulled in audiences under the guise that they would watch real people react in extraordinary circumstances. Over the last couple of years the popularity of these shows seems to have plateaued with channels now seemingly producing at least three or four shows a season as they are cheap and easy to produce.

With members of 'Jersey Shore' and the Kardashian clan now some of the most popular people on the planet the effect of these shows on popular culture is still immeasurable. So what other reality programmes have caused a huge splash out in the US, but have yet to reverberate on our fair little island? Here are 4 reality TV shows that you have probably never heard of.

Bad Girls Club

Some people believe that reality television has sunk to disgraceful levels of depravity and BGC is probably a case in point of this occurring. The show revolves around seven rebellious women from different backgrounds and personalities who have several behavioural and psychological issues. Producers then thrust each of them in a luxurious mansion and demand that they obey to the stringent rules on the home and chronicle their return to normal life. It's all incredibly harsh.

Sister Wives

Kody Brown has 17 children from four different wives all of which he is still married to. That's right he is a polygamist. Of course, this brings a lot of drama into his life and the series depicts the Brown's move from Utah to Las Vegas whilst shining a new light on the exploits of polygamy. I'll leave you to decide if they succeed.

American Stuffers

Due to start over the next week few weeks 'American Stuffers' will introduce pet taxidermy to the US. It will revolve around Daniel Ross, the owner and founder of Xtreme Taxidermy and his family and friends as they look to preserve the loved pets of people from around the US. I doubt that the producers can state no animals were harmed in the making of the show.

Kendra on Top

Kendra Wilkinson's first attempts at a reality TV career ended when her and the E! network decided to go in a different direction with her show. She has returned to television schedules earlier this month on WE tv and those who watch will see the same kind of exploits that they have come to accept from the former Playboy model and her young family.