All 10 episodes of Amazon Prime Video’s original reality TV show The One That Got Away made its debut on June 24, 2022, offering a wide variety of romantic hopefuls a chance to reconcile with past lovers. The reality dating show is specifically built around the notion of second chances, giving the contestants an opportunity to reconcile and rekindle their past romance by admitting what is wrong in the past and vowing to prevent such in the future.
The One That Got Away joins a diverse roster of reality dating and TV game shows that also revolve around romantic reunions, do-overs, second chances, and how learning from the past can pay valuable dividends down the line.
10 First Love, Second Chance (2010)
Stream On Prime Video
Dubbed as TV Land’s PRIME TV series when it launched in 2010, First Love, Second Chance is an oft-forgotten 6-part reality dating show that deliberately focuses on reuniting former flames with the intention of seeing if they can work out their past issues, grow from them, and forge a bright future together. Many of the contestants have not seen each other in 25 or 30 years, leading to a genuinely unpredictable dynamic when they reunite.
More of a serious social experiment than a cheap exploitative reality show, the consequences of how and why the couples split in the first place (sobriety, exchange students returning home, etc.) really make viewers root for their romantic happiness. As such, it’s an ideal show to watch with The One That Got Away.
9 Back With The Ex (2018-)
Stream On Netflix
The Australian series Back With The Ex is another reality dating show about romantic reconciliation ideally suited to watch alongside The One That Got Away. The 7-part series follows four Aussie couples who agree to give their partnership another try, with the results varying among different age groups. In the end, each couple has a chance of going their separate ways, coming together, moving in together, or getting engaged for marriage.
Hailed for its amusing mixture of diverse couples that range in ages from 22 to 57, the rollercoaster dramatics featured throughout the season, and its compelling central premise, Back With the Ex is a highly entertaining and extremely binge-worthy guilty pleasure dating show from down under that is not to be missed.
8 Married At First Sight: Second Chances (2017)
Stream On Lifetime
While the FYI / Lifetime reality show Married At First Sight continues to go strong, the most germane spinoff to check out in tandem with The One That Got Away is Married At First Sight: Second Chances, the 12-part reunion of seasons 1 & 2 contestants Vanessa Nelson and David Norton. The difference here is the two do not date each other but whittle 100 eligibles down to 10 before eliminating one per week.
Despite many feeling David was poorly cast in the season, most agree that Vanessa’s romantic experiences are more than the time and emotion invested in her quest for true love. At its core, the show attempts to have David and Vanessa recognize and confront the folly of their former ways, grow and improve from them, and become better for it.
7 You, Me & My Ex (2021-)
Stream On Fubo
The TLC reality dating series You, Me & My Ex, throws a deliberate love triangle into the proceedings to test the devotion of various romantic singles in Hunger Games-like competitions. As its title suggests, the show tracks five couples as they attempt to navigate their newfound romance while an ex-lover remains in the picture. Sometimes the singles end up with their old flame and sometimes they move on and pursue a relationship with someone new.
Despite the salacious nature typically found in a TLC reality show, You, Me & The Ex has been praised for Alex and Caroline’s touching storyline, showing how mature parents can still work out their issues with their exes in civil and amicable manners.
6 Are You The One: Second Chances (2017)
Stream On MTV
MTV’s hit reality dating show Are You The One has been applauded for its trailblazing inclusivity, lasting three years before spinning off Second Chances in 2017. Much like The One That Got Away, AYTO: Second Chances reunites contestants from past seasons to see if they can hit it off a second time around.
More of a deliberate game show full of unique challenges, twists, and a money-based inventive for couples on the brink of elimination, the show prioritizes strategy, gameplay, and moral compromise just as much as it does the quest for genuine love. However, thanks to its compelling couples, it feels less of a novelty and more of a real search for love.
5 Ex On The Beach (2014)
Stream On Paramount +
If one took the premise of Love Island and mashed it up with You, Me & The Ex, they would almost certainly arrive at Ex on the Beach, a sun-dappled reality dating show in which 10 romantic hopefuls are filmed at an exotic beach locale as they meet new potential partners. The only catch? Their exes inevitably arrive and spoil the party.
With spinoffs made in various countries and languages, the popularity of Ex on the Beach continues to grow, proving the mass appeal it has among the younger demographic in particular. With no shortage of explosive drama (however manufactured) to revel in, the stunning beachside locals offer a great sense of escapism as former lovers tend to make up, break up, and shake up the entire cast.
4 The Bachelor (2002-)
Stream On Hulu
The definitive American reality dating show of the past 20 years, it’s hard to omit The Bachelor and The Bachelorette from any compilation of all-time amusing TV programs of its ilk. Of course, the selection process of who becomes a Bachelor and Bachelorette comes from a pool of past contestants, giving them a legitimate shot at finding real love by making them the center of attention.
Moreover, several return contestants have been given a second shot at finding a potential spouse on the show, be it the ever-quotable Hannah Brown, Nick Viall, Chris Bukowski, or several others. Without The Bachelor‘s two-decade reign as the pop-cultural reality dating mainstay, a show like The One That Got Away would likely cease to exist.
3 90 Day Fiancé (2014-)
Stream On Discovery +
Ever since taking the world by storm in 2014, TLC’s wildly popular reality dating show 90 Day Fiancé and its countless spinoffs have built their reputation on romantic hopefuls giving their lovers second chances. The basic premise entails the marriage process for international couples who met online, requiring one of them to apply for a K-1 visa in order to live in their partner’s home country.
Whether it’s Ellie Rose, Evelin Villegas, Ashley Martson, Matt Ryan, or Mike Youngquist, several 90 Day Fiancé contestants were kindhearted and curious enough to give former lovers a second chance on the show, proving that three months is not necessarily long enough to know when true love is found.
2 One Mo ‘Chance (2020-2021)
Stream On The Zeus Network
The Zeus original series One Mo ‘Chance (and its spinoff One Mo ‘Chance: The Reunion) is another acclaimed reality dating show built around the prospect of rectifying past mistakes in order to be a better future romantic partner. The huge magnetic personality of star rapper and TV star Kamal “Chance” Givens goes a long way in drawing viewers in and keeping their attention. Remember, Chance starred in I Love New York, I Love Money, and Real Chance of Love in the past and knows a thing or two about reality TV entertainment.
Back on the dating scene for the first time in years, Chance found love in season one of the show before Yummy broke his heart and left him on the rebound in season 2, leading to a whole new roster of potential matches. A great redemption story for a beloved throwback reality star!
1 Hollywood Exes (2012-)
Stream On BET +
For those looking for a reality dating show about second chances that do not deal with competition, Hollywood Exes is worth checking out. The premise concerns the ex-spouses of famous entertainment professionals who branch out, find their own voice, forge their own identity, and use a second chance to grow from the shadows of their high-profile exes.
Beyond the compelling notion of finding redemption through a second lease on life, the show has been praised for the lack of petty in-fighting and salacious dist-ups most reality fare leans into, and for featuring female contestants who are genuinely nice to each other. . Even when the Hollywood Exes express regret over the one that got away, the hope for a better future is surprisingly uplifting for a reality show.
About The Author
