Of all of Dr. Seuss' notorious and beloved characters, there's one that children and adults alike adore. His name is The Grinch. Every Christmas, the titular character of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! steals hearts as his heart grows three sizes. The furry, green character is known for being misanthropic, ill-mannered, and temperamental. Now, in his story, there's a happy story. But when we refer to someone as a Grinch, nine times out of ten, it's because they're putting a damper on a situation.
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In the world of reality television, there are a plethora of personalities who like to ruin the festivities. While these ten may not be trying to ruin the Who's Christmas festivities, they have been known to ruin the joy in the shows they star in. To celebrate the Grinch's least favorite holiday, here are ten Grinch-like reality stars.
10 Spencer Pratt
'The Hills'
As one of the original stars of The Hills, Spencer Pratt quickly earned a reputation as the series' antagonist. Alongside Heidi Montag, they were known for the endless feuds that filled the series. Pratt was known for being insanely vain and having the ability to go from zero to one hundred in the anger department, just like The Grinch.
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He was known for making many people cry, including his sister, Stephanie Pratt. Spencer Pratt owned his villain title, ensuring that his character stole the show. Like the Grinch, it took a lot of time and patience before Spencer Pratt found his zen side.
The Hills
Drama
Where to Watch
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Release Date May 31, 2006
Main Genre Drama
Seasons 6
Studio MTV
9 Russell Hantz
'Survivor'
Perhaps the greatest villain in Survivor history, Russell Hantz is notorious for his brash personality and the chaos that ensued in camp. In every iteration of the game he played, he was ruthless. He was determined to rain on others' Christmases to further his purpose.
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Now, when it comes to The Grinch, the citizens of Whoville grew to love him. That was very much NOT the case for Russell Hantz. While many consider his gameplay top tier, his inability to win over his fellow castaways prevented him from winning the game. With the fate of his game in the jury's hands, he lost the game twice when he was in Final Tribal Council simply because of his lack of social prowess.
Survivor
Reality
Where to Watch
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Release Date May 31, 2000
Cast Jeff Probst
Rating
Seasons 45
Studio
Story By Jeff Probst
Writers Jeff Probst
Network CBS
Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Netflix
Directors Jeff Probst
Showrunner Jeff Probst
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8 Puck Rainey
'The Real World'
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As part of one of the most historic seasons in the history of The Real World, David "Puck" Rainey was the notorious bad boy of San Francisco. As the second roommate to be evicted from The Real World house, Puck was the ultimate antagonist. His ruthless torment of Pedro Zamora solidified his place in the pantheon of reality television villains. In the house, Puck clashed with his castmates over his hygiene, especially when he was accused of using his finger to scoop peanut butter from a jar after using that same finger to pick his nose.
Like The Grinch, Puck ended up living in his own world when he was asked to leave by his roommates, when they preferred to keep Pedro around when he threatened to leave. Puck went on to appear on The Real World/Road Rules Challenge, where he showed his heart by getting married in Jamaica. But, once again, his time was cut short when he spit in the face of David Edwards, the first person ever to be evicted from The Real World.
the real world
Drama
Release Date May 21, 1992
Rating TV-14
Character(s) Herself, Himself
Producers Jonathan Murray
Network MTV
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Watch On Paramount+
7 "Evel" Dick Donato
'Big Brother'
Perhaps the villain on this list who would look most like The Grinch in the green suit, "Evel" Dick Donato, is a notorious character in the history of Big Brother. Despite being a loathed personality by many of his fellow housemates, Evel Dick managed to swoop in and earn the victory on Big Brother 8. That season, the big twist was that certain players competed alongside or against their rivals.
For Evel Dick, it was his estranged daughter, Daniele Briones. Though it may not be a perfect one-to-one comparison, you could say that Daniele was the Cindy Lou Who to Evel Dick's Grinch. Despite their history of animosity, Evel Dick ensured that he brought his daughter to the end of the game so they would be the winner and runner-up of the season. The pair did enter the game again together for Big Brother 13, but Evel Dick withdrew from the game due to a medical emergency. His actions in the game have led fans to label him as one of the biggest villains the show has ever known.
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Big Brother
Reality
Competition
Where to Watch
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Release Date July 5, 2000
Creator
Cast Julie Chen Moonves
Rating
Seasons 25
Studio
Writers John de Mol
Network CBS
Directors Mark W. Roden , Quinn Saunders
Showrunner Allison Grodner
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6 Danielle Staub
'The Real Housewives of New Jersey'
In his story, The Grinch is an outcast. He's not like the others. He's different. In the early seasons of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, the outsider of the group was Danielle Staub. Until Teresa Giudice's true colors were eventually exposed, Danielle Staub was that story's villain. Throughout her tenure on the series, Staub was notorious for putting a damper on any situation , usually through her antagonistic ways. She constantly had altercations with the ladies and sometimes the offspring.
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She also knew how to shut down any gathering, like a true Grinch would. Remember when she yanked Margaret Josephs' hair? Can you imagine The Grinch doing the same to Cindy Lou Who? I could! Danielle Staub may not have stolen Christmas, but she certainly stole scenes!
The Real Housewives of New Jersey
TV-14
Reality
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Release Date May 12, 2009
Cast Teresa Giudice , Jacqueline Laurita , Caroline Manzo , Dina Cantin , Danielle Staub , Melissa Gorga , Kathy Wakile , Teresa Aprea , Amber Marchese , Nicole Napolitano , Dolores Catania , Siggy Flicker , Margaret Josephs , Jennifer Aydin
Main Genre Reality
Seasons 13
Franchise The Real Housewives
Creator(s) Scott Dunlop
Producer Andy Cohen
Production Company Sirens Media
Writers Scott Dunlop
Number of Episodes 222
Network Bravo
Streaming Service(s) Bravo , E! , Peacock
Franchise(s) The Real Housewives
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5 Omarosa Manigault Newman
'The Apprentice'
Omarosa Manigault Newman would likely call herself a realist, but when it comes to reality television, she's a surefire villain. The one-name phenom made her big debut on the inaugural season of The Apprentice. From that moment on, she became synonymous with villainy in the world of reality TV. As the woman America loved to hate, Omarosa was tough as nails.
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She saw herself as an ambitious businesswoman, but viewers felt otherwise. So, she took the moniker and ran with it. She continued to own her newfound persona and continued a career in reality television. In each appearance, she maintained her vivacious persona, even earning herself a spot on the inaugural season of House of Villains. Her ability to keep her cool while irritating others is a skill not many have. Like a good Grinch, Omarosa will darken any lightness that doesn't match her vibe.
The Apprentice
Reality
Release Date January 8, 2004
Cast Donald Trump
Seasons 17
Story By Mark Burnett
Writers Mark Burnett
Network NBC
Streaming Service(s) AppleTV+
Directors Mark Burnett
Showrunner Mark Burnett
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4 Brandi Glanville
'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'
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The ultimate pot-stirrer, Brandi Glanville's rise to instigator on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is uncanny. I dare you to binge-watch her arc in the series. She arrived with a heart the same size as her fellow cast members, but when a lane opened up to become the group, she took it.
Brandi Glanville just loved to ruin any good situation that didn't involve her. Whether it was planting seeds of dissension into the group or spreading bold-faced lies, Glanville's knack for destroying a good thing is wild. She may try to spin her circumstances around to say she was doing what is right, but Glanville is exceptionally calculated. Her ability to take down other women is truly an act of villainy.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
TV-14
Reality
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Release Date October 14, 2010
Cast Kyle Richards , Kim Richards , Denise Richards , Brandi Glanville , Lisa Vanderpump
Main Genre Reality
Seasons 12
Story By Alex Baskin
Writers Kyle Richards , Brandi Glanville , Lisa Vanderpump
Streaming Service(s) Peacock
Franchise(s) The Real Housewives
Directors Rob Minkoff
Showrunner Andy Cohen
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3 Abby Lee Miller
'Dance Moms'
The Grinch is known for destroying the hopes, dreams, and joy of the people of Whoville. Abby Lee Miller is known for destroying the hopes, dreams, and joy of the young souls on Dance Moms. As one of the biggest names to ever see the screen, Abby Lee Miller's notoriety came from her temper in the classroom.
Some viewers believed she took her actions as a dance coach too far, but those are likely the same viewers who were completely glued to the screen. The pride she seemed to take in emotionally stunting the children was purely rotten. Abby Lee Miller is cruel. Certainly, she's ruined Christmas for kids before by telling them Santa isn't real.
Dance Moms
TV-PG
Reality TV
Release Date July 13, 2011
Cast Abby Lee Miller , JoJo Siwa , Maddie Ziegler , Holly Frazier
Main Genre Reality TV
Seasons 8
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2 Gordon Ramsay
'Hell's Kitchen'
When it comes to Gordon Ramsay, he's all about tough love. Like REALLY tough love. He's a titan of the kitchen, but the Hell's Kitchen star is known for his explosive outbursts to put others in their place. Perhaps, like The Grinch, Gordon Ramsay isn't a true villain but an anti-hero.
He does not intend to be a monster; he was just built that way. There is a villain origin story that taps into why he acts the way he does. He comes off as a bit of a bully, but it's all a persona. Certainly, in the real world, if he acted like that, he wouldn't be one of the world's biggest culinary geniuses. Ramsay's foil to the heroes of the story is to help build their narrative. Like The Grinch, it might just all be a bit of an act.
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Hell's Kitchen
TV-14
Competition
Cooking
Reality
Where to Watch
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Release Date May 30, 2005
Cast Gordon Ramsay , Jason Thompson , Roger Craig Smith
Main Genre Reality
Seasons 24
Network FOX
Franchise(s) Gordon Ramsay
Directors Mark W. Roden , Sharon Trojan Hollinger
Showrunner Kenny Rosen
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1 Simon Cowell
'American Idol'
When you hear the word "rubbish," chances are you hear Simon Cowell's voice in your head. Once upon a time, reality television talent programs were known for having that one judge who was present to ruin the acts' hopes and dreams. It's all because Simon Cowell created the formula. As the evil judge on American Idol, part of the gimmick was to watch Cowell eviscerate terrible performers into submission.
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With viral-worthy quips, massive eye-rolls, and utter distaste for having to sit through moments he deemed untalented, Cowell ensured he made television moments. Perhaps in a time of participation trophies and lifting others up, Cowell's heart grew as the old Simon Cowell is no longer around. He's softened since joining the judging panel on America's Got Talent. Fans still clamor to see him go off, but that's now all in the past.
American Idol
TV-PG
Reality-TV
Music
Game Show
Documentary
Release Date June 11, 2002
Creator Simon Fuller
Cast Carrie Underwood , Fantasia , Jennifer Hudson , Clay Aiken , Chris Daughtry
Main Genre Reality-TV
Seasons 22
Studio Fox
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Watch On Hulu
Keep Reading: Jonathan Bennett Says Hallmark's 'Finding Mr. Christmas' is Reality TV Done Right
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