These People Who Have Been On Reality Shows Share What Is Real And What Is Staged
Have you ever wondered how fake certain shows are? Here are some answers.
Reality television is something you either love or hate. Or, like many of us, you hate that you love it. There are many different types of reality shows, from the big leagues like The Kardashians to home renovation, chilled cooking shows, or the many, many dating shows.
But as you watch them—either eagerly or with pretend disinterest—there is often one thought that keeps crossing your mind: how much of this is fake? You assume a degree of creative license, continuity, editing, or whatever, but you hope that it is mostly real. One thread on Reddit asks people who have been on reality shows to expose the truth.
If you've been on a show not mentioned and know something juicy, don't forget to share in the comments below.
What Not to Wear
"My friend was on What Not to Wear, and I was in the audience of people who were there to react when she came out from behind the curtain with her new look. She came out over and over again, but our cheering was never enthusiastic enough for the producers. After about 10 takes, we were screaming our heads off, totally hysterical, as if we'd just seen her rise from the dead. So that part was fake; I thought she just looked alright."Reality television often blurs the line between scripted entertainment and genuine experiences, leading to viewer confusion. As noted by Dr. Dan Gilbert, a happiness researcher, "Viewers often find themselves emotionally invested in characters and situations that are not entirely real, which can create a sense of dissonance." This phenomenon can lead to what some experts refer to as 'media consumption dissonance,' where viewers struggle to reconcile their emotional engagement with the awareness of staging. Furthermore, Brené Brown, a researcher on vulnerability and authenticity, emphasizes that "the perception of authenticity in media significantly affects our emotional responses and overall engagement with the content." This insight highlights the complex relationship between reality TV and audience perception.
Finally, a relatable sob story
"Sob stories on singing shows—it's not the contestant's fault!"I made it through a few rounds for a well-known singing show, and they BEG you for sob stories. On my very first application form, I was asked about the most difficult moment in my life, what obstacles I'd overcome to be there, and whether I had ever experienced bullying, etc.They pretty much make you tell them a sob story. So I wrote all about my heartbreak when I ran out of coffee."Wow!
"My sister's fiancé was on 16 and Pregnant. The children are real."Love It or List It
"My aunt and uncle were on Love It Or List It. They had them record both endings, and the network chose which one they thought was best. They are still in the house and they love it, but the show says they listed it."Pawn Stars
"Everything on Pawn Stars is scripted too. They bought a Jeep from my friend, and he was even told when and how to smile or smirk during the interview.""I know someone who visited the shop as a tourist, and they pulled something out of the back and handed it to him to sell."Cash Cab
"Some friends of mine went on Cash Cab. One guy was chosen the day before and told to come with up to four friends to a certain spot the next afternoon. They met a producer who hailed the cab and were told they were going to 'a game show.' They had to reshoot getting into the cab because my one friend said something like, 'What are the chances?! We're on our way to ANOTHER game show!'"Yikes
"I have worked on several reality shows. Some are more fake than others, but they are all heavily scheduled and formatted, never spontaneous.I worked on a certain MTV dating show where one of the contestants tried to escape the house in the middle of the night, and one of the production assistants had to tackle him in the front yard and drag him back into the house. It's like prison; they are completely cut off from the outside world (no computers, books, phones, or watches), and they are fed mostly booze. They all go insane.Also, if the show doesn't air, they don't win their prize money. This is standard for all competition reality shows."Ratings > reality
"I have a friend who signed up to audition for a show that she thought was 'The Bachelorette' or something similar. I guess it's standard practice to not give the actual name of the show and just say, 'We need good-looking, energetic young women for blah blah blah.'"So she got called back, went through a few different interviews and a screen test. Finally, they told her that the concept was that she would be running a pawn shop with another woman. She is a dental assistant with no experience remotely related to the pawn business."Pawn Queens" ended up being on for two seasons, and they gave her a backstory about how and why she got interested in the pawn business. Not exactly SHOCKING, but it was pretty interesting to see that they basically looked for attractive women first, then put them into a proven concept ("Pawn Stars"-type reality show)."Shark Tank
"A friend of mine was on Shark Tank recently. The episode hasn't aired yet, so we don't know how they will edit the story, but they did get an actual deal with actual money from Mr. Wonderful."Supernanny
"A friend of mine worked as an art director on the American version of Supernanny. She said pretty much everything was real, maybe edited together to make it a bit more dramatic, but the family interactions were genuine. And she said Jo Frost is a very sweet, warm woman who really does her best for the kids."I always wondered about this
"In the very first episode of Top Chef they ever filmed, Tom Colicchio flipped out because the dishes the contestants had cooked were getting cold while the film crew took 'food porn' shots of them. From then on, all the contestants have to prepare two dishes: one for the judges to sample and one for the cameras to pan over and show the audience."House Hunters
"It's a requirement to be on House Hunters that you are already closing on a house. It's free advertising for the agent and a way to be on TV for the couple.That being said, I still watch the hell out of those shows. It's interesting to see what $x gets you around the world."Say Yes To The Dress
"Probably no one on Reddit watches it, but Say Yes to the Dress is real. One sister and a few friends have gotten their dresses there, and while they didn't appear on the show (you get asked when you make your appointment), their experiences were the exact same as on TV.Yes, the consultants really are that personable. Yes, you sit where the show is filmed. Yes, the people on the show really work there. No, they won't show you anything outside your budget, and yes, they really do bend over backwards to find you discounts if you need one (like on the show).I know there are probably cheaper places to buy a wedding dress, but Kleinfeld's is gorgeous and exactly like it is on SYTTD. The only thing that might be 'faked' is if girls or their families are told to be super picky about the dress for ~dramatic effect~.Fuck most of TLC's other shows, though.EDIT: YAY, MORE PEOPLE WATCH THAN I THOUGHT.Edit 2: Again, I've been there a few times, but we were NOT filmed for the show. I can't speak for how real the dialogue is or isn't. BUT the store and its employees are as cool, nice, and friendly as on TV!"Restaurant Impossible
"I was on Restaurant Impossible a couple of years ago. They say they have a $10,000 budget for the renovation; that definitely does not mean they use it. The host, Robert Irvine, was only there for about an hour a day during the three-day venture, just to get in the way and whine about things for the camera. They made up this whole story about how my boss would lose everything and cause so much stress on his marriage and family if the restaurant failed. They had us 'walk this direction with a sullen look' to show that we felt underappreciated as employees. We had four employees actually walk out because of some of the comments Robert made. We also did not get paid any extra for any of this. But while all of that was annoying, I will say this: the Food Network did pay almost $4,000 for a very local construction crew to come in, which is awesome for local business and support. The food was very awesome, and I got to learn some insane techniques from world-class chefs at the very start of my career (I am a chef myself now). It was a very neat and exciting thing for a small town and definitely brought our community together. And while the business did still end up failing a year and a half later, my boss was totally fine because he bought out another restaurant and is now very successful elsewhere."Reality vs. Perception
Reality TV often blurs the lines between authenticity and performance, leading to a psychological phenomenon known as cognitive dissonance. Viewers may find themselves grappling with conflicting emotions when they realize that the drama they enjoy is often staged.
Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicates that people tend to rationalize their enjoyment of reality shows despite knowing that much of it is scripted. This dissonance can lead to a deeper engagement with the content, as viewers create narratives that justify their preferences.
Social psychologists have studied how the editing and presentation of reality television can manipulate viewer perceptions. The use of selective editing can create false narratives, making mundane interactions seem dramatic or contentious.
According to Dr. John P. Campbell, a media psychology expert, this manipulation taps into our innate desire for storytelling, which can override our critical thinking. This phenomenon may explain why viewers often accept staged elements as real, leading to a skewed understanding of relationships and conflict.
Psychological Analysis
Our in-house psychologist notes that the appeal of reality TV often lies in its ability to reflect our own lives, albeit in exaggerated forms. This connection can be comforting, as it allows viewers to explore complex social dynamics in a controlled environment.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
As we dissect the reality behind reality television, it becomes clear that these shows are crafted to elicit strong emotional responses. Research shows that understanding the production techniques can empower viewers to enjoy the content without losing sight of its scripted nature.
By maintaining a critical perspective, audiences can appreciate the entertainment value while recognizing the psychological tactics at play.
Impact on Self-Perception
Watching manipulated reality shows can distort viewers' self-perception and expectations. A study by the University of Michigan found that individuals who frequently consume reality television often report lower self-esteem and increased comparison to unrealistic standards of beauty and success.
To counteract these effects, psychologists recommend mindfulness practices, such as self-compassion exercises, which can help individuals recognize their intrinsic worth beyond media portrayals. Engaging in regular self-reflection and celebrating personal achievements can foster a healthier self-image and resilience against external pressures.
Clinical Perspective & Next Steps
The interplay of reality television and psychological outcomes is complex and multifaceted. As viewers grapple with the authenticity of what they see, it's crucial to cultivate awareness and critical thinking skills about media consumption. Research supports that fostering a critical perspective helps mitigate negative impacts on self-esteem and identity, allowing for healthier engagements with media.
Encouraging open discussions about the role of media in shaping perceptions can empower viewers, enabling them to enjoy reality shows while maintaining a grounded sense of self-worth.
