Since we have a topic on hate, there should be one for love.

Ruthie from Real World: Hawaii and the RW/RR Challenges. She is alot more mature than most of famewhores who end up on these challenges. It nice to see that she doesn't get into most of the drama of the women's team. She is usually the rational person when voting off members. She also kicks ass on the challenges.

Some love goes to Sean from Real World: Boston and the RW/RR Challenges. Eventhough he married Rachel, he has a career, a family and probably will not show up on an future challenges. He has moved on and doesn't need to show up on every challenge like some of others.

Jon & Al, Drew & Kevin, Bob & Joyce, Don & MJ, Chip & Kim from The Amazing Race. These contestents get along with each other and they appreciate the journey. They need to cast more people like this.

Sandra from Pearl Islands. She was great and managed to put down JFP a lot. I loved her "I can be loud too WHAT THE FUCK?" line.

J.Fu from American Idol. She taught the world to DANCE!

Juanita Barber from American Idol because she's for the chil'run you know.

Kris & Jon from TAR, especially "happy & excited" Kris. Even when they run into problems she has the best attitude. Plus they run a good race.

I don't know if these count as "reality participants", but I love all the animal rescuers from Animal Cops, Animal Precinct, and related shows (except that one alligator guy from Florida, who just gets on my nerves). They all:

• obviously love animals
• consistently treat both animals and humans with compassion
• have an admirable work ethic (I'm sure they could all find easier, better-paying jobs)
• analyze each situation intelligently, showing a lot of insight into animal and human behavior
• maintain their composure even when dealing with people whom I would be tempted to strangle on the spot
• keep going back to work day after day, even though they sometimes have to deal with truly horrible things

Yes, I know some of the items in that list overlap...

For the most part, any reality show participant that comes here and follows the rules like the rest of us (Guidos, Frats, Rob and Brennan, and Chip and Kim (coming soon)) gets a lot of love. Mainly for coming to dish dirt and/or face their harshest critics: us.

Gotta go with mostly TAR love - the Frats, the Clowns, Kris & Jon (so far!), Blue Lagoon Hair Brandon, Chip and Kim - these are people who kept it together during the whole race, never lost it on their partner, and were kind to the locals. Love contestants like this - wish there could be more! And there are more; TAR casts really good people (which is why that piece of shit Jonathan mystifies me - wha happen??), so there are really far too many for me to list! But when you're talking about good reality TV contestants, generally you're talking about TAR!

ETA: Good God, what is wrong with me? How the hell could I forget to add Team Cha Cha Cha to the list? Danny and Oswald belong at the top, as do Ken and Gerard! And Troy from the Apprentice, too! Mea culpa.

Jon and Al (the Clowns) were the best -- they were good racers and good people. You know that racers are beloved when people on other teams cry when they are philiminated. I also really liked Oswald and Danny (Team Cha) -- they really knew how to have fun with the experience, unlike a lot of the racers before and since.

I liked Greg Buis from the first Survivor. He seemed more genuine and like he was actually having fun.

I remember some behind-the-scene special where someone was saying how Greg liked exploring the forests at night and tried to get the camera men off his back. He was successful sometimes.

Mirna and Charla - I may be alone here, but I loved those two, especially Mirna. She was hilarous.

Chip and Kim - For obvious reasons

Colin and Christie - Again, I may be alone here. I guess I just have a thing for unpopular teams, but these two were kick-ass racers.

Amanda (the brunette girl) from Joe Schmoe 2.

A totally sweet, generous girl.

Trying to help the other girls complete their tasks during dinner with Austin's parents? Supporting Cami thru the whole "Porked-n-Beans" fetish video confession.

Why do I have the feeling that this thread is going to be way shorter than the "Hate" one?

Anyway, Jon and Al, Team Clown from TAR4, will always have my love. They were just all-around great people to watch every week. I miss them. (That was the only time the show aired footage of the Philiminated team getting hugged by the remaining racers, wasn't it?)

Count me in on all the TAR-love. I'd like to add to the list Norelle from America's Next Top Model (cycle 3). She was just so dopey & sweet and always seemed to have a good attitude about the whole ordeal.

I'm all about the Chip and Kim love.

Wait, does Colleen Haskell count? 'Cause at least in my case, it's not quite so much "love" as "Oh my god, I totally want summa dat."

Along with most of the TAR teams mentioned, we CANNOT leave out Ken and Gerard, the supposed "opposite" siblings who loved each other to death and were the funniest things ever.

And my favorite Survivor contestant is still Rodger Bingham from the Outback Season. He was sweet, nice, maintained his Christian integrity, and genuinely seemed to care about everyone else, even while he played the game. I still want him to be my dad.

From the Apprentice, I still have MUCH love for Troy McClain. I mean, come on... has there ever been a more charming reality show "contestant"? Plus, he was infinitely quotable. "I felt like an adult film star going in for a rub and a tug, and it was making me kinda nervous!"

Davey and Margaretta got mad hugs when they were eliminated in Tunis.

Drew&Kev and the Chas are my fave racers.

Boston Rob is my alltime fave reality guy.

Here's another one to mull over.

Steve from MBF0F

Why? His goofy grin and willingness to take the pranks being pulled on Randi (coughcoughfamewhorecoughcough) to a certain special level. Can you say yoga fart?

I love Rodger, too. He was so nice and got along with everybody. I remember feeling sorry for him whenever they had to do that jump off of the cliff challenge and Rodger couldn't swim. And he gave Elisabeth a heart-shaped rock!!! So sweet.

I always admired Guy Sebastian from Australian Idol. (And most of the Amazing Racers that have been mentioned). I also liked Troy and Kwame from The Apprentice.

Here are my favorites:
Greg from S1
Elisabeth and Rodger from S2

The clowns, Al and Jon from TAR5 (?)
Chip and Kim from TAR6


There are other TAR racers I liked as well, but I have to say that those 2 teams are my all time favorites.

I definitely loved Adrienne and Elyse from Season 1 of ANTM. Elyse was just way too smart to be on a reality show - and her meltdown on the phone was an all-time classic. Adrienne earned my love when she dragged herself off her sickbed, and her obvious determination to work as hard as she needed to to win. Heck, I even liked her accent, because it's fun to imitate. (And yes, I do plan to watch Surreal Life 4.)

I wouldn't say love, but I did like Jenascia and Mercedes on Season 2, and Norelle and Eva on Season 3.

And going back a ways, I was cheering hard for Soulcracker in Bands on the Run. They totally got hosed by the producers, but that's a rant for another time.

Absol-freaking-lutely. I haven't seen her since the show ended several months ago and I *still* have an enormous crush on her. How sad is that?

I think my very favorite reality show contestant so far is Troy from The Apprentice, Season 1.

Well, if by "love" you mean "lurve," then I'm going to have to go with Tara Gerard, from the Greatest Reality Show of All Time: Paradise Hotel. That chick is smokin' hot!

I liked Charla and Mirna too. I don't understand the hate.

And I don't know if this counts, but I liked the "sister" from My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance. She was hysterical and under-utilized in the prank.

Pedro Zamora (RIP) on The Real World: San Francisco in 1994. He used his time on the show to educate folks about HIV/AIDS and save lives. It's sadly ironic that 10 years later, RW now highlights a lot of the participants' reckless sexual hookups (threesomes in the hot tub/shower, etc).

Word! I also really liked Tim- there was something so genuine & kind about him; like when he got so happy when "Gerald" (that was the "gotta be gay" guy's name, right?) threw the birthday party for him, and he got so excited & was so touched, calling it his best birthday ever.

Major love for Survivor Australia's Rodger too! I seem to recall him asking the other players to vote him off before Elizabeth since she could use the $ more than him. awwwwww.

Dude, no love for Matt Kennedy Gould (the original Joe Schmo)? He was awesome, in every sense of the word. He was funny and so genuine, I loved him to pieces. And of course, no can ever for forget his "What is going on?" from the finale.

But hell, all of the non-actors involved in Joe Schmo (yes, even Ingrid).

The list of Survivors that I like went seriously down after All-Stars. I used to really like Tom, Kathy, and Lex from their respective seasons, but after All-Stars they simply disgusted me. (And I don't even like Boston Rob or Amber) Still, I gotta defend some somewhat unpopular choices.

I know Ethan was egotistical on All-Stars, and I know that he is a manwhore to the extreme, but I can't help it, I just really like the fact that he used his reality show winnings from Survivor 3 to create a good charity and being the frontman and owner of that charity is his major profession now. His scenes from Survivor Africa where he interacted and played with the children of the area were pretty cool, and proven to be extremely genuine.

Rob Cesternino was entertaining as hell on Survivor 6. LHe was a dork, but hilarious, and the season would have absolutely sucked otherwise. Strategy-wise, his showing in Survivor All-Stars was pathetic, but despite being the first person openly betrayed by Boston Rob, he was a good sport about it and didn't get into a permanent state of self-righteous hypocritical indignation. *cough*Lex, Kathy, Tom, Alicia *cough* He's also a really nice guy from what I've seen of him.

I loved both Troy and Kwame from S1 of The Apprentice. Talk about a true friendship and class acts--nothing like the hideous stiffs from this season.

I heart Ken and Gerard from TAR3. I loved those two from episode 1. I laughed at their antics, was overjoyed when they beat out the twins, and swore up a storm when they couldn't find a taxi and Flo won.

I'll second the Tim/Ingrid votes from Joe Schmoe 2

No, you're not alone. I liked them and they knew how to race, which always kept my interest. They didn't mill around like sheep when the teams bunched, they kicked ass at tasks and they had fun too, despite their periodic explosions. I think I've got a knack for picking teams that everyone loves to hate, too.

I don't think it's possible to say enough good things about Troy McClain. The man has humor, smarts, honor and integrity. He's way too good to work for an over-inflated gasbag like Trump but I still wanted him to win.

I liked Keith Cuda from Paradise Hotel, especially at the end when he kept his word all the way around and split his winnings.

I am so incredibly attracted to Boston Rob and thought (and continue to think) that he's the best Survivor contestant, period.

I also like Brandon and Nicole from TAR5, they were so sweet to each other, as well as Kris and Jon and Gus and Hera from TAR6. Oh and I loved Colin and Christie too, they were chill when he wasn't crazy.

Hee---It's good to know I'm not alone! I have a feeling Boston Rob will get more mentions over on the 'reality TV contestants we hate' thread, but I find him smart, skilled, and one of the funniest, most amusing reality TV conestants I've seen. Oh, and, unlike the vast majority of other Survivors, I always felt that he managed not to take himself or the game too seriously. I wish he were with someone with a little more personality and charisma than the ultra-bland Lamber. Like, say...me. [small voice] And I actually adore that accent, even though I know it prompts other people to change the channel! [/sv]

I also want to add to the love for Chip and Kim, Kris and John and Gus and Hera. In fact, TAR definitely has far more reality TV contestants who I love (or, more to the point, mildly like or tolerate!) than any other reality show.

Oh - I also love Evil Doctor Will. I know that with "Evil" in his name, he should probably go in the "That We Hate" thread, but I can't help it - I loved him. He was so damn calculating, but the other idiots deserved it so much that it just made me love him.

Dominic, from the Real World:LA.
I miss the days when you could drink yourself stupid and pass out on the beach before even making it to the house, and no one would bat an eye. Plus, the accent.

Pretty much every straight guy from Queer Eye, ever. Especially the older man who had recently lost his wife. What a sweetheart, I almost cried.

Troy from The Apprentice - he made me just go "awwwww" every time he was on my screen. He is the one who really deserved to win.

The only Big Brother contestant I ever liked at all - the two seasons I actually watched it - was "Evil" Dr. Will. He was funny and sexy and smarter than all the others put together, and he had a good time. I love it when contestants remember to have fun. And I thought he looked a little like Lindsey Buckingham.

I've loved so many TAR contestants from the last three runs - The NFL Wives, Chip and Reichen, the Clowns, Chip and Kim, Charla and Mirna, the Bowling Moms [more near the end than the beginning], Don and MJ, Gus and Hera, Kris and Jon, Lena and Kristy... and Bolo and Lori are starting to grow on me.

Survivor? Richard Hatch - the original Sole Survivor, and the one who created the first template for the game, not to mention never losing sight of the fact that it was a game, not a test of moral suitability - Rudy, Colby, Ethan, Matthew, Rupert, Sandra, Chad...

American Idol - Ruben, Clay [though I resent the way he's been annointed the 'real winner' in the aftermath, and gets all the good exposure while Ruben is mostly forgotten] Tamyra, Kimberly Locke [most improved player of her season] and I have this strange, irrevocable love for Camille Velasco, who has been overshadowed even in her own Hawaii by Jasmine Trias...

My favorite TAR teams were from way back in TAR2: nerd team Gary and Dave and of course Danny and Oswald. I love the TAR teams in general who have fun during the race and don't feel the need to be "intense" all the time.

I stopped watching American Idol since the regular contestants are boring but the last contestant who really entertained me was William Hung. I still laugh when I hear "She Bangs", his version or otherwise. Say, perhaps they should do an American Idol-type show with only bad singers...(please come back Superstar USA)

Also agree that best Big Brother contestant was evil Dr. Will.

Matt, Tim and Ingrid from Joe Schmoe

Hardy from Big Brother 2. As he was described in the recaps here "Abs of steel and a heart of gold".

Nobody else on the planet will agree with me on this one, but I loved Lex from Survivor: Africa. He's everything I usually hate in a guy: arrogant, sneaky, overly tattooed. But for some reason, it all just worked for him.

And I still have a very soft spot for Doctor Sean from the original Survivor. Easy on the eye and slow on the uptake, Sean was the world's first reality show cute doofus. He blazed a trail for many others to follow.

I too loved Pedro Zamora, but I can't stand his "best friend" Judd Winik. I think I'll wander over to the "Reality Contestants We Hate" thread and vent about him there.

Albanyguy: I loved Lex in Africa too. IMHO the best looking guy ever cast on the show and on Africa he was entertainingly snarky and hardworking in the first half of the show and entertaingly off-his-marbles and paranoid on the second half. I rooted for him in Africa and liked what I read about him (and what other contestants had to say about him) post-show.

I tend to keep the fact that I still find him sexy to myself since All-Stars and that mess.

I also loved Sandra. My hatred of Rupert and Christa did nothing to diminish my love for Sandra. I was so happy she won.

Amazing Race: I've only been watching since Season 4 and I have to add to the chorus of love for the clowns. Such nice, entertaining, happy guys. I liked the Bowling Moms of TAR5 too.

America's Next Top Model: I also liked Elyse and Adrienne. Mercedes seemed sweet and normal. I loved April too. She was smart and she flirted with Nigel. I saw April on the some behind the scenes type show and she was very funny. I liked Nicole (the poor forgotten one) and Norelle (the dumb, sweet one) in the last group.

I know I'm not the only one that watched this show, but nothin' but love for the Amish Kids on Amish in the City. Well, maybe not so much love for Randy.

Love is a strong word, but I really liked Alton and Frank on RW:LV before I completely gave up watching. They were relatively nice, normal guys that I could hang out with. They reminded me of two of my friends from college.

I had such a huge crush on Andre from the first season RW:NY. Granted, I was 15 at the time, so I don't know what I'd think of him now. The long wavy hair, nice face, played in a band. He was so my type. I never went so far as to see Reigndance or buy their CD though.

Soup: How can we ever forget the joy that is Mose. I wonder what the heck he's up to these days,

I'm still crushing on Raj from The Apprentice 2.

I have always been a Shii Ann (Survivor: Thailand) fan, mostly because she was willing to eat the chicken's neck, feet and other edible parts when others were not willing.

Why can't I remember a "Greg" on the first Survivor?

I love many of the Amazing Race people already mentioned. I also liked Russell and Cyndi -- Team Rev -- of TAR 2 (not to be confused with their evil namesakes on TAR 4). They were Jesus people who didn't preach. They just lived by example. And Cyndi comes back to the forum to answer questions now and then, too.

Blonde guy? Made a coconut phone? Went off into the woods with
whats-her-name from the chapstick commercial?

Just watched TAR2 for the first time and I adored Danny and Oswald. I want to spend all day just shopping and getting pedicures with them - and I hate shopping and have no patience for pedicures.

I really love Theo from Road Rules: Season Who The Hell Cares (I think they were traveling around the U.S.), and a couple RW/RR Challenges. I haven't watched this season, so maybe he's proven himself to be a jackass, but I've always loved him in the past. He really seems to stay above the drama, and his one-liners are killer, as I recall. That body doesn't hurt, either.

I also love Colin from RW: Hawaii. Despite the Amaya debacle, I thought he came off pretty well in that season. Speaking of Amaya, I'm probably the only person in America who doesn't hate her. She reminds me so much of my friend that I feel fondly toward her in spite of myself. Hawaii was one of the best casts for me, because I liked Tec and Ruthie too. Best not to talk about Matt and Kaia, or I'm liable to start spitting blood.

From RW: New Orleans, I love Danny. And Jamie to a lesser extent. But I love Danny in that unhealthy "I know he's gay, but what if just one time he felt like being with a woman? Like say for example ME" type of way. I'm helpless against that accent.

And people, if Coral stopped appearing on RW/RR Challenges, there would be no reason to watch them at all, IMO. Her fight with Julie ("I don't wrestle; I fuckin' beat bitches UP!") was one of the highlights of MTV viewing history for me.

I don't know if it's love but I did like Jacinda Barrett from RW:London. The modeling was a way she could make money to go and have fun in many interesting parts of the world, not some sort of ultimate goal, and she never seemed to take herself too seriously even though she seemed to be having decent success as a human clothes hanger.

She's also managed to put together a nice mid-level acting career that doesn't have anything Bunim-Murray on the list.

Oh, wordy. He was so damn good he made the whole show a must-not-miss event in my house, and we don't have many of those. We were with him all the way! I miss his laugh...

Jon Vito & Jill and Zach from TAR don't appear to be mentioned yet, and I think they're all great.