TLC Revives Controversial Reality Series After 10-Year Hiatus
- - TLC Revives Controversial Reality Series After 10-Year Hiatus
Isabella TorregianiDecember 18, 2025 at 3:30 AM
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If you thought My Strange Addiction was a thing of the past, think again. After a 10-year hiatus, TLC’s most talked-about reality series is back with a brand-new season — and it’s just as shocking as fans remember.
Originally debuting on December 29, 2010, the show ran for six seasons before ending in early 2015.
No official reason was given, though changes in network programming and the challenges of producing a show about compulsive behaviors may have contributed. The series was also considered controversial by some because of its focus on extreme behaviors.
Nonetheless, the show returns with stories of individuals whose unusual fixations shape nearly every part of their day-to-day lives.
The newly released trailer, shared by People, opens with Wendy, a Florida woman sitting in a nail salon. As she gets a pedicure, Wendy reaches into her purse, pulls out a package of raw hamburger meat and begins eating it.
“My name is Wendy and I'm addicted to eating raw meat,” she said in the clip.
Wendy says her fixation has followed her into adulthood, creating tension in her personal life — especially with her fiancé’s family.
At a cookout, she bites into a raw steak while others watch in clear discomfort. One person admits they feel sick just watching her eat the uncooked meat.
“I should be accepted,” Wendy says tearfully. “It's a little hard to accept someone who eats raw meat,” one woman replies.
The show also features a woman who eats glue sticks. Her grandmother is clearly worried for her health, but she says, “I don’t think it’s affecting me."
A doctor, however, cautions her, “It can cause stomach cancer, it can cause brain problems, 50 percent of the people who have a blockage die.”
Viewers also meet Carlos, a participant who consumes live insects every day. “There's of course a lot of shame. It alienates me from people,” he says.
“You are contaminating your body with active parasitic infections,” the doctor warns. “I don't care if it's bad for me,” Carlos responds.
The season also follows a bodybuilder obsessed with size, people addicted to eating grass, makeup, or cardboard and a veteran with PTSD living among more than 100 snakes.
Speaking about the return of the series, Alon Orstein, SVP of Production and Development at TLC, told People, “Over the years, My Strange Addiction has built a passionate fan base that never stopped talking about it, sharing the most viral moments, and asking when we’d bring it back.”
He added, "The new season delivers everything people love about the series. It's bold, surprising, and completely unforgettable. TLC is proud to continue showcasing the stories that endlessly captivate audiences, with the real and extraordinary human experiences you truly cannot find anywhere else.”
Tune in for the season premiere of My Strange Addiction on TLC, Wednesday, January 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
