Reality TV is full of characters, many of whom are larger than life. We’ve got some seriously crazy people, some fantastic individuals and (more than) a few that we just love to hate. No matter where you stand regarding each of these compelling and interesting individuals, one thing is clear – each has made his or her mark on pop culture and the genre of reality TV in 2007.

10) Scott Baio – Proving that reality TV can help you revive your career, and possibly your love life, the former child star and teen heartthrob found a home on VH-1. His smash-hit summer series, Scott Baio is…45 and Single ranked in the top ten in its time slot. The show was popular in no small part due to the fact that Baio became a reluctant everyman. He honestly portrayed his struggles with commitment and relationships, showing that he was much more than a legendary lothario. Audiences liked Baio so much that VH-1 ordered a second season, which will premiere in early January and focus on Scott’s issues with impending fatherhood.

9) Laila Ali – The lovely daughter of icon Muhammad Ali had a successful career in the family business (so to speak). With a record of 24-0, the second of Ali’s nine children achieved a great deal in the ring by the time she turned 30. In the spring of 2007, Laila danced her way into America’s heart as part of the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars. She showed off her fancy footwork with partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, taking third place in the competition, behind Apolo Anton Ohno and Joey Fatone. However, Ali recently won a gig as co-host of the revised American Gladiators. She’ll appear with fellow reality TV star, Hulk Hogan, when the series premieres in January.

8) Daniele Donato – Dick Donato’s lovely daughter was all sweetness and light. At least she seemed so in the beginning of Big Brother 8. Dani pulled us in with her sob story – she and daddy had loads of issues. Her ‘relationship’ with Nick, despite she had a boyfriend she supposedly adored back home, was also kinda nice. Beneath the pretty exterior was a fierce competitor willing to tell people whatever they wanted to hear and throw anyone under the bus to further her own agenda. In the end, we wound up liking her about as much as we did her abusive, chain-smoking daddy. Ugh!

7) Johnny Fairplay – The former Survivor ‘star’ continued to make headlines this year. He impregnated his galpal, Michelle Deighton of America’s Next Top Model fame (she was the one who had the ‘flesh-eating bacteria’ on her face). He also appeared on TY Murray’s Celebrity Bullriding Challenge thus extending his fifteen minutes of infamy. Finally in October, ‘Fairplay’ got into a tussle with Danny Bonaduce at the FOX Reality Channel’s Really Awards. Afterwards, he tried to sue the former child star turned VH-1 reality TV staple. No charges were filed despite Jonny’s claims that Bonaduce busted some teeth and possible his jaw.

6) Dog the Bounty Hunter – Hunting down criminals and narrowly escaping extradition to Mexico for the Andrew Luster takedown were nothing compared to comments Dog made against one of his children’s significant other’s. He dropped the ‘n’ bomb repeatedly. The phone conversation was leaked to the tabloids, and Dog was a reality TV star no more. A&E postponed the series indefinitely with no current plans to renew it. Dog did some serious damage control – well, some of it did more damage such as the proclamation that he wished to be buried with former slaves. Recently, he’s been forgiven by some high-profile African-American groups. He also made news for donating more than $20,000 worth of toys to children’s charities over the holidays. Perhaps, in 2008, Dog can find some redemption.

5) Yau-Man – This castaway on Survivor: Fiji really got under our skin. The sweet, more than middle-aged man who grew up in Borneo captured our attention because he was such a stand-up guy. After giving Dreamz a car, Yau-Man trustingly waited for Dreamz to give him the immunity idol and a berth into the final three. Unfortunately, Dreamz reneged on the deal and Yau-Man got sent to the jury. His friendship with Earl helped carry that Survivor to victory. Here’s hoping that Yau-Man will be one of the fan favorites appearing on Survivor 16.

4) Joey Fatone – The former ‘NSync-er had slipped out of the limelight in the past few years. However, he danced right back into America’s living rooms as part of Dancing with the Stars 4. As runner-up, he proved that he still had all the right moves. The DWTS regime, along with a careful diet, took off some extra poundage as well. The hubby and dad struck a chord with network execs too. Later on in the year, Fatone began a successful run as host of NBC’s The Singing Bee.

3) Tiffany Pollard, aka New York – Proving that even divas need love too, Tiffany Pollard, aka New York, hit the small screen for a second installment of I Love New York. After being dissed by Tango at the reunion of the first season, Miss New York courted 20 new suitors and wound up with a new man who was ‘Tailor Made’ for her. Flavor Flav’s most infamous ex-paramour jumpstarted her acting career with a guest spot on Nip/Tuck and an appearance in the new movie First Sunday.

2) Sanjaya Malakar – The sweet-faced youngster with the changeable hair mobilized a nation during American Idol 6. People were either Fan-jayas or they weren’t. Voting conspiracies aside, many, including Simon Cowell, believed that Sanjaya overstayed his welcome. He was more of an entertainer than a singer. However, no one can forget the pony-hawk, can they?

1) Dick Donato, aka Evel Dick – Big Brother 8’s villain did have one redeeming quality – he desperately loved his daughter, Daniele, who was also in the house. Dick antagonized his fellow housemates to the point of mental cruelty. He was especially harsh to Kail and Jen. Dick admitted that he’d do anything to put Dani forward in the game, and he did. In the end, the Donatos won the game, but…lost a lot of viewers’ respect.