Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – The Joe Schmo Show

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Joe Schmo Show Sep 2003 Reality Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
This series takes aim at the silliness of reality TV by having a group of improv actors play reality-show stereotypes (the stalker guy, the hot girl) and throwing some unsuspecting person into the mix who doesn't know the setup. The actors and crew try to keep Joe Schmo from discovering the hoax, something made more difficult by the increasingly over-the-top nature of the show-within-the-show, all designed to see how far the producers can push this "reality." And of course, will the actors be convincing enough or will the unsuspecting contestant figure it all out?

Critics Reviews

View More
Tim Goodman San Francisco Chronicle 01/09/2020
Despite a lot of missed creative opportunities, "The Joe Schmo Show" is guiltily addictive. Go to Full Review Brian Lowry Variety 01/08/2020
Granted, the show dabbles in standard tricks of the trade in terms of seeking to build suspense, but it's genuinely witty, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. Go to Full Review Padraig Cotter Screen Rant 01/08/2020
A brilliant reality TV parody well ahead its time. Go to Full Review Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 01/08/2020
Regardless of any moral quandaries, "Joe Schmo" is a funny show. Go to Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media 01/08/2020
4/5
Even if you are not a reality show fan, this series will probably make you chuckle. Go to Full Review Andy Dehnart Reality Blurred 01/08/2020
The prank series still holds up as one of reality television's best shows, and biggest surprises. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Adam L @RT23542633 02/26/2025 It lacks any creativity or anything remotely funny or entertaining. How is this even television? See more Brian J @RT68541554 02/16/2025 The original was way better. Ben is the perfect (in a good way) guy to play this joke on but the woodchipper scene was a terrible play. He realized like anyone would that it's fake. Even though the actors got everything back on track the seed was planted in Ben's head that the show is fake. I love practical jokes but the most important thing about them is making them realistic and believable. The original show was more believable which made it better. I hope shows like this continue to be made. Just make it simple like a real reality TV show, but don't overthink it. Another one that was great was my big fat Greek fiance. See more Jordan S @RT56388084 01/29/2025 This is simply the greatest "actual" reality TV show I've ever seen. The first two seasons of this show in particular are incredibly well thought out. It's a hilarious premise but the show has a surprising amount of heart too. See more Read all reviews
The Joe Schmo Show — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Ralph Garman

Host

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 2, 2003 One unsuspecting "contestant" competes with actors in "Lap of Luxury," which is actually a spoof of TV's reality show genre. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 2, 2003 Cast members participate in a pampering competition to decide which castmate gets which bedroom. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 9, 2003 Castmates participate in a Battle of the Sexes competition, where the losers having to wear outrageous costumes for the rest of the day. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 16, 2003 Ashleigh confesses her crush on Ralph Garman to Matt; Matt tries to build an alliance against Ashleigh. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 23, 2003 Matt accidentally sends Dr. Pat to the hospital during the Sumo Slam; Master Debater. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 30, 2003 Players are paired up in a pampering competition; pairs are handcuffed and dipped in honey then told to roll around in a pile of money to collect it on their bodies. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 7, 2003 Unsuspecting contestants are pitted against actors and other show members. Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 14, 2003 Matt strategizes with another housemate; the former housemates return to confront the remaining housemates and help them to decide their vote for ultimate winner. Details Episode 9 Aired Oct 28, 2003 Unsuspecting contestants are pitted against actors and other show members. Details Episode 10 Aired Oct 28, 2003 Unsuspecting contestants are pitted against actors and other show members. Details

More Like This

View All
RuPaul's Drag Race 83% 71% RuPaul's Drag Race Watchlist TRAILER for RuPaul's Drag Race The Glass House % % The Glass House Watchlist True Beauty % % True Beauty Watchlist Dirty Jobs % % Dirty Jobs Watchlist Ready for Love 29% % Ready for Love Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Network
Paramount Network
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Reality
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 2, 2003